Yo La Tengo perform in drag in Nashville to protest Tennessee ban

A federal judge in Tennessee has blocked the state’s anti-drag law from going into effect for 14 days. Photo: United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee.

CMT Music Awards!This year, Lainey Wilson leads the charge with four noms, including Performance of the Year and Female Video of the Year, with three nominees tied for second place -- Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, and CMT Music Awards co-host Kane Brown.Across all categories, CMT is recognizing 21 first-time nominees, with Carrie Underwood, the most awarded artist in CMT history, also earning another nod this year. Hosted by Brown and Kelsea Ballerini -- also a nominee this year — the CMT Music Awards air at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sunday from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

mass school shooting at The Covenant School earlier this week.Sheryl Crow was among the local resident artists who performed during the vigil as hundreds of people gathered to mourn the tragic loss of life.Crow, who has been a Nashville-area resident for more than 15 years, accompanied herself at a piano to sing «I Shall Believe,» a hymn-like track from her 1993 album, . «Come to me now, and lay your hands on me,» Crow sang. «Say it will be all right, and I shall believe.» She ended the song with the chorus of Dionne Warwick’s «What the World Needs Now (Is Love, Sweet Love).»Margo Price, an outspoken advocate for gun safety, also performed, singing an a cappella version of Bob Dylan’s «Tears of Rage.»Both Price and Crow spoke out on social media in the wake of Monday's fatal shooting, calling not just for gun safety but an end to the senseless violence that continues in this country.Also in attendance, was first lady Jill Biden, along with a host of local and state elected officials, police officers, and clergy members.Speaking to the crowd, Nashville Mayor John Cooper thanked mourners for gathering after what he called was the city's «worst day.»«Just two days ago was our city's worst day,» Cooper said. «And Deputy Mayor Heywood and Laura and I want to thank all of you for being here today.

Neil Pond A candlelight vigil in Nashville Wednesday night drew hundreds to grieve the victims of the mass school shooting which claimed six lives earlier this week, with local residents Sheryl Crow and Margo Price among those offering performances as part of the public grieving. The event was relatively brief — only about half an hour — but powerful and moving, attended by First Lady Jill Biden, a host of local and state elected officials, police officers, and clergy, along with the musicians who performed songs obviously chosen with great care for the somber occasion. Sheryl Crow, who has spent more than 15 years as a Nashville-area resident, accompanied herself at a piano to sing “I Shall Believe,” a hymn-like track from her breakthrough album “Tuesday Night Music Club.” The crowd soaked up the hopeful balm of the spiritually tinged ballad in the wake of the shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, the small Christian elementary academy where three children and three adults were killed by a 28-year-old assailant carrying two assault weapons and a pistol.

Madonna has added a Nashville date to her upcoming 2023 ‘Celebration’ world tour, with proceeds benefiting trans rights organisations.The concert is due to take place on Friday, December 22 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, with Madonna adding a further seven dates to the US leg of the tour.Tickets for the newly announced dates go on sale at 10am local time this Friday, March 31. You can see full dates below and find tickets here.In a statement addressing recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, Madonna said: “The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it’s creating an unsafe environment; it makes America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color.“Also, these so-called laws to protect our children are unfounded and pathetic.

Enough is enough! Country stars are calling out politicians after Nashville’s school shooting! Like most of us, they’ve had it with lenient gun laws — which are particularly weak in Tennessee. As we’re sure you’ve heard by now, ano

Kings Of Leon drummer Nathan Followill has shared his reaction on Twitter, following news of a mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville.Earlier today (March 27), six people including three children were killed at the Covenant School in Nashville. The 28-year-old female suspect in the shooting was killed in an altercation with police (via BBC News).In a statement, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city has “joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting”.“My heart goes out to the families of the victims,” Cooper added. “Our entire city stands with you.”Sharing his reaction on Twitter, Followill wrote: “A school shooting just happened near my sons school.

Thania Garcia Following Monday’s news of a shooting at a private Christian elementary school in Tennessee, several celebrities took to Twitter to point their frustrations at politicians and demand the need for stricter gun control laws. A 28-year-old Nashville woman killed three children and three adult staff members at the Covenant School before she was shot and killed by police, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said. At the time of this article’s publication, the shooter’s identity has not yet been released. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Margo Price tweeted at Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and questioned his choice to pass the permit-less handgun carry bill — which allows anyone 21 years or older to legally possess a weapon.

multiple reports.Following the news, many country music stars, some of whom live in the area, took to social media to pay tribute to the lives lost and call on politicians for gun law reform in the wake of yet another tragedy.Maren Morris shared a tweet reporting on the incident to her Instagram Story, writing simply, «Oh my god.»«No words… The Covenant School. Our children deserve better. Praying for all affected.

Hayley Williams of Paramore performed a cover of Deana Carter’s ‘Did I Shave My Legs For This?’ at Love Rising, a Nashville fundraiser for LGBTQIA+ organisations.The show saw Willams team up with singer-songwriter Becca Mancari on guitar to perform ‘Inordinary’ taken from her solo album ‘Flowers for Vases / descansos‘. She then welcomed her best friend and business partner Brian O’Connor who came out dressed in full drag ready to sing ‘Did I Shave My Legs For This?’.The event was created by members of Tennessee’s music community after responding to the series of bills Tennessee recently passed targeting the state’s LGBT population – attempting to pose restrictions on things like drag shows and transgender treatment and surgery for minors.“What they’re doing with this anti-drag bill… is actually just a distraction from all these other horrible things that they’re trying to pass here — it feels like we’re in a relationship with our city and our state that’s all give, no get,” Williams told the crowd.Last month, Williams spoke out to decry the legislation.

Maren Morris isn’t backing down.

drag queens. “I brought my son here earlier today for soundcheck, and he’s turning three this week, and we got to go in the room where all the queens were getting ready and doing their makeup. And he freaked out when he went in there because it’s just magic what drag queens do,” Morris explained, according to Variety.“There’s wigs everywhere, and the smell of hairspray and wig glue; there’s glitter; everyone’s in a good mood,” Morris added. “It’s just like a room of love.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic A cast of mostly Nashville-based stars, including Maren Morris, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Yola, Sheryl Crow and Jason Isbell — plus one key out-of-towner, the Irishman Hozier — joined up with a host of Tennessee drag artists Monday night in Nashville to protest recent state legislation aimed at cross-dressing performers, trans youth and same-sex marriage. The four-hour “Love Rising” benefit, which filled Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with fans and LGBTQ+ community members and their allies, was also livestreamed to an international audience via the Veeps platform. No one received more of a hero’s welcome than Morris, who recently went out on a limb by standing up for trans youth and their families in a headline-making online debate with fellow country star Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany Aldean, while most mainstream stars held their tongues. It was quickly evident that Morris has not turned into any shrinking violet as a result of the backlash she experienced from country fans on the right in the dust-up with the Aldeans, appearing on stage with a touch of androgyny in a look that combined legginess with formal black-tie. Morris performed her crossover hit “The Middle” while drag queen Alexia Noelle Paris accompanied her in an interpretive dance.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic “Love Rising” is looking to combat the deeply risible. Nashville-based musicians are coming together in a big way — a Bridgestone Arena-sized way — tonight for the show of that name, a benefit concert to raise awareness and funds for the LGBTQ community and its allies in the face of Tennessee legislation that is seen as targeting the rights of gay and trans people generally and drag performers specifically. The generously star-packed show is also being livestreamed internationally via the Veeps platform, with $14.99 tickets available here for a show that begins at 7:30 Nashville time, aka 8:30 ET/5:30 PT. The wide-ranging bill of rock, country, pop, indie and Americana performers includes Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Yola, Brittany Howard, Hozier, Adeem the Artist, Julien Baker, Joy Oladokun, Jake Wesley Rogers and Mya Byrne, along with co-organizer Allison Russell. Late additions to the show since it was first announced include a greater contingent of non-binary and, yes, drag artists from Tennessee on top of the nationally known names.

Yo La Tengo performed their Nashville show in drag on Monday night (March 13), in what appeared to be a protest of the state’s restrictive new drag law.Earlier this month, Tennessee became the first US state to sign a law banning “adult cabaret” on public property or anywhere it could be seen by children, including “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers”.The statute – which means a ban on drag performances in public spaces, set to take effect on April 1 – and similar laws, are reportedly being pushed in other Republic-run states.yo la tengo protesting anti-drag laws tonight in tennessee, courtesy @JohnQBoxler.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Transgender “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Gottmik is speaking out against the spread of legislation being pushed throughout the U.S. that bans drag queen performances as well as health care for trans people. “I actually can’t believe that we are turning back time like this,” she told me at Versace’s pre-Oscars fashion show on Thursday in West Hollywood. “But the queer community isn’t going anywhere. So no matter what you’re gonna try, we are here. And we’re going to be loud and proud. I think this is just a wake up call for all of us to be louder and prouder than we ever have been before.” Gottmik says she’s hopeful the queer community will prevail but that doesn’t mean she’s not worried. “The last round of bills has scared me a little bit and affected my mental health a little bit, to be honest,” she said. “But I just had to pick myself up and realize that we aren’t going anywhere. I’m so proud. Even in the car on the way to the Versace show today I was thinking about how cool it is that I’m a trans man able to dress in drag and go to the Versace show in Los Angeles. It’s just unbelievable.”

RuPaul says drag queens are “the Marines” of the queer movement (Photo: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

The B-52s have shared a statement denouncing the “numerous bills that promote transphobia and discrimination” against transgender people and drag artists in the US.Last week, it was revealed that Tennessee’s governor, Bill Lee, had signed a law banning drag performances in front of children, passed alongside separate legislation to restrict gender affirming-healthcare for transgender youth.The statute is the first of its kind to be enacted in the US, with politicians in numerous other Republic-run states reportedly pushing for similar laws.The B-52s are the latest band to speak out against the legislation, sharing on Twitter: “Dear fellow citizens, We, The B-52’s, are deeply concerned about the numerous new bills that promote transphobia and discrimination against transgender individuals and drag artists, which have been introduced in the United States.“We strongly denounce these bills and stand in solidarity with out LGBTQ+ community.”Dear fellow citizens,We, The B-52’s, are deeply concerned about the numerous new bills that promote transphobia and discrimination against transgender individuals and drag artists, which have been introduced in the United States.

Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell and Brittany Howard are set to perform at an LGBTQ+ benefit concert in Tennessee.The show entitled Love Rising, which has been organised by Isbell and Alison Russell, will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on March 20.Other acts on the bill include Hozier, Brothers Osborne, Amanda Shires, Julien Baker, Joy Oladokun, Yola, Jake Wesley Rogers, and Mya Byrne.Tickets for the show are on sale now and can be purchased here. You can view the full line-up below.The concert was set up in the wake of Tennessee passing Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 9, two pieces of legislation that ban drag performances from taking place on public property, as well as in any location where minors can be present.“As a queer, intersectional artist and mother, raising my child in Nashville, it’s important to me to support these wonderful Tennessee LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisations, working so hard to build bridges, reduce harm and promote equality for all Tennesseans,” Russell said in a statement via Consequence.“LGBTQIA+ contributions and creativity are foundational to every genre of modern song and arts performance.