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.
We've made it through 2025, hopefully with only a few scars and some seriously renewed determination. I like to do my best-of lists in January, especially because sometimes artists end up putting albums out in December! So – please vote for your ten favorite queer country albums of 2025 right here! (And sign up for the newsletter at the end of this post so you can get reminders and more information about what's coming up for Rainbow Rodeo!)
Rather than a list of albums, I want to focus on the themes I've noticed. 2025 found queer country artists, like other marginalized folks, turning a hard pivot into politics. As is often the case, these artists would love to devote mental and emotional energy to...not asserting their right to exist...but that's not in the cards. For better or worse, we've seen a number of prophetic albums that assert the freedom of self-love with joy (like Adam Mac's Southern Spectacle and the Kentucky Gentlemen's Rhinestone Revolution) and subversive humor (like Chris Housman's Blueneck and whatever he's cooking up for next year.)
We also have found artists taking stock of their lives, realizing they are midway upon the journey of our life – and that there's a whole lot more to the world than romantic partnership. S.G. Goodman illustrates this most exceptionally in Planting By the Signs, an adamant statement of how to be in the world, and how not to settle for less. Maia Sharp explores the path of the eternal seeker in Tomboy. Lune: The Band gave us a heaping helping of alt-country survivor's blues that refuses to accept excuses for the past – and these don't even include heavy hitters like Brandi Carlile's frank self-reflection on the heady cost of fame.
There's no question that there's an unending source of talent and important music in the queer country world – the question is getting it into people's ears. I work in higher education for my "real" job and it is becoming increasingly obvious in both fields that people who have power to lose would prefer to politely ignore LGBTQIA+ folks if it means they get to hold onto it for a little longer. I will explore this in Rainbow Rodeo's first feature-length investigative report next year.
In the meantime, here's a sampling of our all-time popular posts (at least, since Ghost started collecting data in October):
- Our interview with Florry: In It For the Ride
- My essay about the flaccid political statements by straight white men like Jesse Welles
- Stefanie Cuthbert's interview with The Crane Wives
- My interview with Haunted Like Human, who are proudly repping queer Appalachia
- Take a listen to our premiere of Kara Cole's "Big Black Cadillac"
Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 6
The zines are on sale NOW! Grab your physical copy or e-copy today.
A Word From Our Sponsors
Get your message out to dedicated queer country fans and advertise with us!
This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
Rachel Cholst
Rachel Cholst
Rachel Cholst
Richard Marcus
Rainbow Roundup
- Read Devon Leger's excellent article about the crust punk to folkie pipeline in No Depression – I think it speaks to Rainbow Rodeo's ethos quite well: "A community rather than a sound"
Fundraisers
So many of the artists we feature here rely on shows like Mountain Stage and Tiny Desk to get the word out. If, like me, you live in a major city with a large donor base, your station is probably fine. So maybe adopt a station that's had more than 70% of its budget slashed? I'm choosing Allegheny Mountain Radio just because it fits the theme.
- Kamara Thomas, who is a co-organizer of Southern Soul Songbook, needs support as she recovers from Stage 3 breast cancer
- Color Me Country is seeking to raise $202,000 to support BIPOC artists with travel grants and more. Donate here.
- Our staff writer, Bee Delores, needs your help as she transitions away from full-time writing – especially because pubs (not us) have been late to make payment
Need a Protest Song Mixed?
Artist and Rainbow Rodeo contributor Arend Lee Jessurun has this offer for artists:
I'm looking to get back into the production/mixing/mastering game since a bit of a hiatus for health. I'm starting to better manage my energy with fibromyalgia, and I'm a bit antsy to do more of the work I love. And I'd especially love to work with other queers!
Also, if you've got protest music for these times, I'd love to produce, mix, and/or master it for cheap, even for free if I can swing it. If you're unfamiliar with my work and studio, check it out here.
Events
I make this list by scrolling through Instagram and Threads (and occasionally Bluesky when you all post there.) Feel free to send me events by replying to this e-mail!
- 12/18 and 12/20 (New York, NY) – Paisley Fields plays his last two shows of the year at Lucinda's
- 12/27 (Calgary, AB) – Mariel Buckley and her brother Tim play the Ironwood Stage
- 12/30 (Chattanooga, TN) – Adeem hits the Cherry Street Tavern in Chattanooga at 9 PM
- 3/17 - 3/21 (NYC, Baltimore, Durhm, Mars Hill University) – Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves will be recording love at these shows
- 4/23 - 4/26 (New Orleans, LA) – Loose Cattle, Ani DiFranco, Joy Clark, and a whole lot more play the first weekend of Jazz Fest. The Alabama Shakes and Lilli Lewis plays the second weekend – 4/30 - 5/3. Someone send me on assignment!!!
Artist Resources
- Apply for a three-day songwriting workshop with Mary Gauthier, 4/15 - 4/18 2026 in Nashivlle
- The IndieBubble podcast network is soliciting country music submissions
- Radiofolk is soliciting folk/acoustic music
- Send in your music to this new alt-country radio station!
- What's a premiere and how do you pitch it?
- Got a release coming up? Add it to Country Everywhere’s newsletter! Country Everywhere is a directory of artists and news for queer, BIPOC, and disabled artists.
- With Bandcamp changing hands and union busting, here are some alternative resources for selling your music online
- Are you on BlueSky? Queer country artist 2 AM Wake Up Call created this feed of musicians. You can ask them to be added to the feed!
- I also made a Y’allternative Feed on Bluesky. Let me know if you’d like your posts to appear on the feed!
- We Are Moving the Needle is looking for women and non-binary audio engineers and music producers
- Eli Conley is teaching Unlock the Song Inside: Beginning Songwriting Class for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies, and he also offers an online LGBTQ+ songwriter circle!
- If you’re thinking of joining Mastodon, make an account on musician.social and read my tips for making Mastodon work for you!
- Once you do that, reach out to Moonshine Brigade to get added to their Americana and country music starter pack.
- Nice Hearing About Music highlights artists on the Fediverse - check them out and make sure they know about you!
- Submit your music and events to The Q LGBTQ Creative Network
- This Twitter thread has a whole list of places to find jobs in the music industry
- And here’s a list of resources for “women” entering the music industry — presumably they also encourage nonbinary participants
- Submit your profile to the Country Everywhere which seeks to unite BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists and professionals
- Sign up to the Black Opry Revue’s interest form!
- Check out the weekly Queerfolk Fest show in Nashville
Sign up below to get a weekly newsletter like this one!
