The Year-End Roundup 2025
Before going on hiatus until January 15, editor Rachel Cholst highlights this year's trends and triumphs in queer country music -- and what's next for Rainbow Rodeo.
Essays
Fuck That and FU: Erin McKeown For the Holidays
Richard Marcus presents Erin Mckeown's take on the holidays for the rest of us: their two anti-holiday albums are anthems for people alienated by Christmas, the values it's come to represent, and less-than-accepting families.
He Mattered Most
Josh Friedberg shares his story of care, secrets, death, and acceptance–with an amazing soundtrack.
Safe Space
In time for (American) Thanksgiving, Richard Marcus examines how queer people -- especially country fans -- need to fight for every square inch of safe space.
The Authenticity Myth of Country Music
Contributor Josh Friedberg dissects the myth of authenticity in country music -- and takes us through a literature review of scholars and journalists hard at work to dispel it.
Queering Country Music With the Grammys
As queer people, we don't always like labels...even though we also understand their importance. Editor Rachel Cholst uses this lens to understand why the new Grammy category is falling flat.
Nobody Falls By the Wayside
Livestreamed shows might be considered a relic of lockdown, but the pandemic is still in full force. Karen Pittelman demonstrates that there is nothing less-than about these lifesaving opportunities for immunocompromised artists on her show Songs From the Wayside.