By Lauren Means | Photos Courtesy Bluegrass Pride
When I think of bluegrass, I think of Dollywood, porch picking, and “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” Maybe this is because I spent much of my youth in East Tennessee — even working at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Bluegrass was the background music of most events in the area.
“Those are all excellent touch points for what bluegrass is!” said Justin Hiltner (he/they), co-founding board member of Bluegrass Pride. “I’m a Dollywood season pass holder myself,” he laughed.
Hiltner explained how bluegrass, like other roots music, is often subjective, “If you think it’s bluegrass, it probably is.” He said most in the industry agree it typically features a five-piece band with a five-string, Scruggs-style banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar (flat picked or rhythm), and upright bass. Sometimes a Dobro is included, and early bluegrass bands even used accordion, piano, and other country instruments.
Bluegrass is generally seen as a commercial form of mountain, hillbilly, string band, or old-time music according to Hiltner. “It’s music that makes you want to dance – even though that may be controversial in some bluegrass scenes – because this music was originally a music of gathering, of recreation, of moving with your friends, family, and loved ones together in celebration and joy,” he said.
Hiltner noted that while bluegrass is distinct from country, folk, and Americana, all of these genres and styles overlap and cross-pollinate with each other. “Think of it like you do geometric shapes like quadrilaterals and squares. Not all country, folk, or Americana is bluegrass, but bluegrass is always a form of country, folk, and Americana. In the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s there were many bluegrass bands – like the Osborne Brothers – that didn’t identify as bluegrass at all, but as country music. It’s all blended together while remaining distinct,” they said.
Like most other musical genres, Bluegrass hasn’t always been inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. “Queer folks have always been involved in bluegrass music, since before the genre had a name or identity, but like many communities and scenes in our country, it hasn’t always been a hospitable place for queer people. And those queer folks that have existed in these spaces have often been rendered invisible or have had their queerness erased by history,” noted Hiltner.
Change has been made over the last decade and Bluegrass Pride is a large force in this change. “It’s clear at this point that there are so many LGBTQ+ folks who make and love this music [and] our organization exists because we all know, personally and otherwise, that being queer in roots music often means feeling marginalized, ‘othered,’ and left out,” they said. Bluegrass Pride wants everyone to feel included and involved and loved in the music they love so much. Hiltner remarked, “It’s getting better every day, but there’s still a lot of work to do to make these spaces truly inclusive.”
Hiltner has personal experience with the reconciliation of his identity and interests. He, like many others in the industry, started loving and playing this music when he was a child. “It’s been part of me for my entire life. I was a banjo player before I identified as anything else,” he said.
Hiltner spoke of folk, roots, and bluegrass music being so well in tune with the human experience — with expressing and processing sorrow and joy and the full range of human emotions — that it’s an excellent soundtrack for connection, togetherness, and community. “On one hand, it’s been extremely difficult living my entire life feeling like this music might not ever fully accept me or love me back. On the other hand, watching our queer roots music community grow exponentially over the past few years has shown all of that struggle has been worth it, so that we [Bluegrass Pride] can do everything we can to prevent that same struggle for the folks that come after us,” they said.
To uplift and support LGBTQ+ musicians, fans, and community members is the foundation of Bluegrass Pride. That can take a lot of different shapes and look different in many contexts. They program events, shows, community jam sessions, and raise awareness for queer folks in these roots music circles.
They are working on building resources — like their Rainbow Book — to support working queer musicians while they’re on tour and building their businesses, brands, and musical careers. “We do our best to show up at industry events, conferences, and we even table at concerts and shows across the country to let folks know, ‘You aren’t alone. You belong here. Bluegrass is for everyone,” he remarked.
Throughout Bluegrass Pride’s history, it’s become evident that its most impactful role is to serve as a gathering place for like-minded queer individuals and allies. They come together to affirm their presence and resilience while opposing the discrimination faced in roots music and the widespread attacks on LGBTQ+ civil rights. Their primary focus is to support queer musicians, fans, and community members by celebrating the community rather than simply confronting those who challenge their right to be in these spaces.
Hiltner said anyone who’s interested in bluegrass, in becoming a picker, in joining our organization, in becoming a part of this community needs to know that you are wanted here! “Bluegrass wants you. You are valued, you are loved, and you belong here. We aren’t just an organization for supporting professional musicians and creators, either. We want to create spaces and build community that’s for everyone, from casual fans to folks who hope to make it to the biggest stages and festivals someday,” he proclaimed.
What Bluegrass Pride holds most important is gathering together to celebrate the music they hold so dear. “When you’re queer in the music industry, especially bluegrass, country, and Americana, community support is so important. We need not be islands unto ourselves anymore. Bring your folks, your chosen family with you, and they’ll bring you with them, too,” Hiltner said.
Bluegrass Pride is an all-volunteer organization and they need your support! You can donate, become a member, start a Bluegrass Pride event in your own town or community, join a committee, or even join their board of directors. Head to bluegrasspride.net to find out more.
