The Osborne brothers’ lead singer, TJ Osborne, publicly declared himself gay. While family and close friends have known for years, a new interview shows the 36-year-old composer talking about it for the first time.
Osborne spoke to Time about the decision, saying that, in a way, taking on publicly is no big deal, because he feels comfortable being gay. “I’m being cautious about not wanting to talk about something that I personally have no problems with,” he says. “This is so weird.”
A list of gay country singers and songwriters who have achieved success as artists at the mainstream level is short – Osborne becomes one of the few who signed on to a major or major independent label. Brooke Eden, who just revealed she is gay in January, signed to BBR Music Group. Brandy Clark had previously signed with Warner Music, where her 2016 song “Girl Next Door” peaked within the Top 40 on the airplay charts.
The Osborne brothers guitarist John Osborne tells Time he was thrilled when his brother, TJ, first told him. This was after he signed a publishing contract and around the time he signed a recording contract. The pair has been inclusive in their art and conversation ever since. The video for “Stay a Little Longer” featured a gay couple, something that stood out as the first in the mainstream of country music at the time. His single “21 Summer” was written about a relationship that TJ had with a man who broke his heart, although it was not released until 2021.
“If I had to have all my money and success wiped out for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life, I wouldn’t even think about it. Not for a second, ”John says.
TJ says he is not concerned with the response he will receive from fans in the metropolitan areas, but says it will be interesting to see how the crowds in rural locations and fairs respond. He’s hoping that the radio programmers won’t change his mind about him – the Osborne brothers’ single “All Night” is in the top 30 at the moment – but he doesn’t seem too concerned about the consequences if they do. The decision to leave now came after some deep introspection.
“I want to reach the peak of my career by being completely who I am,” said the Maryland native. “I mean, I am who I am, but I’ve kept a part of me silent, and it’s been stifling.”
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