Hunter Kelly
@hunterkelly.com
Writing and speaking about music and queer issues. MSNBC and Rolling Stone. Book on The Judds coming 2027 from Liveright.
Just called and left Lee Brice a voicemail asking why he singled out queer people in that song he sang at Turning Point’s halftime show. It’s amazing the numbers I forget I have in my phone.
February 10, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Just called and left Lee Brice a voicemail asking why he singled out queer people in that song he sang at Turning Point’s halftime show. It’s amazing the numbers I forget I have in my phone.
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
Renee Good's partner addresses Minneapolis immigration crackdown one month after killing
Becca Good has seldom spoken out since Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
nbcnews.to
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
Feels like a good time to revisit this re: Jelly Roll. www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/s/...
From the Fauxmoi community on Reddit: Jelly Roll casually dropping the N word
Explore this post and more from the Fauxmoi community
www.reddit.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Feels like a good time to revisit this re: Jelly Roll. www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/s/...
One year ago, I started Untethered Southerner as a way to keep going—and to make room for conversations about queer musicians and music history.
I’m proud of the work that’s taken shape here. Here’s to another year of staying in the conversation.
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/untether...
I’m proud of the work that’s taken shape here. Here’s to another year of staying in the conversation.
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/untether...
A Year of Untethered Southerner
What I’ve learned about independence, queer storytelling, and staying in the conversation when the platforms disappear
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
One year ago, I started Untethered Southerner as a way to keep going—and to make room for conversations about queer musicians and music history.
I’m proud of the work that’s taken shape here. Here’s to another year of staying in the conversation.
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/untether...
I’m proud of the work that’s taken shape here. Here’s to another year of staying in the conversation.
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/untether...
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
How could I possibly be having an affair with Erika Kirk when I was busy getting my wife pregnant?
January 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM
How could I possibly be having an affair with Erika Kirk when I was busy getting my wife pregnant?
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
January 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
I am so proud to see @chrishousman.bsky.social nominated for @glaad.bsky.social Media Awards Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist! I also want you to notice that Chris is doing this all by himself with an indie team. Non country nomonees all have major music industry backing… you know why.
January 7, 2026 at 4:53 PM
I am so proud to see @chrishousman.bsky.social nominated for @glaad.bsky.social Media Awards Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist! I also want you to notice that Chris is doing this all by himself with an indie team. Non country nomonees all have major music industry backing… you know why.
How did a roadside sign lead Grammy-winner Brent Maher to uncover the forgotten story of the Orphan Train—and create an entire ‘musical novel’?
A few quotes here. Full story on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
A few quotes here. Full story on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
How did a roadside sign lead Grammy-winner Brent Maher to uncover the forgotten story of the Orphan Train—and create an entire ‘musical novel’?
A few quotes here. Full story on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
A few quotes here. Full story on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
I’ve known Brent Maher for years through my work on The Judds, but his new musical novel Night of the Orphan Train is the most personal project he’s ever shared with me.
The full piece is up on Untethered Southerner. open.substack.com/pub/untether...
December 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I’ve known Brent Maher for years through my work on The Judds, but his new musical novel Night of the Orphan Train is the most personal project he’s ever shared with me.
The full piece is up on Untethered Southerner. open.substack.com/pub/untether...
This World AIDS Day, look back on the star studded 1994 COUNTRY album Red Hot + Country raising funds and awareness for AIDS research! Brooks & Dunn, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton… yes, it happened!
thebluegrasssituation.com/read/1994-ai...
thebluegrasssituation.com/read/1994-ai...
AIDS Benefit Album 'Red Hot + Country' Was Ahead of Its Time – Good Country
In honor of World AIDS Day, we take a deep dive into this star-studded 1994 country compilation and how the unlikely project came to be.
thebluegrasssituation.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:10 AM
This World AIDS Day, look back on the star studded 1994 COUNTRY album Red Hot + Country raising funds and awareness for AIDS research! Brooks & Dunn, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton… yes, it happened!
thebluegrasssituation.com/read/1994-ai...
thebluegrasssituation.com/read/1994-ai...
“The Outside” isn’t just a duet — it’s a lifeline.
@adammacmusic.bsky.social breaks down the his duet with @chrishousman.bsky.social a song for anyone who’s ever been told they don’t belong in country music… or anywhere. Watch full conversation:
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/adam-mac-t...
@adammacmusic.bsky.social breaks down the his duet with @chrishousman.bsky.social a song for anyone who’s ever been told they don’t belong in country music… or anywhere. Watch full conversation:
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/adam-mac-t...
November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
“The Outside” isn’t just a duet — it’s a lifeline.
@adammacmusic.bsky.social breaks down the his duet with @chrishousman.bsky.social a song for anyone who’s ever been told they don’t belong in country music… or anywhere. Watch full conversation:
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/adam-mac-t...
@adammacmusic.bsky.social breaks down the his duet with @chrishousman.bsky.social a song for anyone who’s ever been told they don’t belong in country music… or anywhere. Watch full conversation:
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/adam-mac-t...
@durbin.senate.gov just sold us out. What a fool to think the Republicans will keep their word on anything. apple.news/AhNi9xK8fTvW...
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
@durbin.senate.gov just sold us out. What a fool to think the Republicans will keep their word on anything. apple.news/AhNi9xK8fTvW...
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
“Kirk & I were on different sides of most political arguments. We were on the same side of the continued possibility of American politics.”
So it’s personal? B/c if you were a Black woman or transgender, Kirk would not imagine you having any role in the future of American politics.
So it’s personal? B/c if you were a Black woman or transgender, Kirk would not imagine you having any role in the future of American politics.
September 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
“Kirk & I were on different sides of most political arguments. We were on the same side of the continued possibility of American politics.”
So it’s personal? B/c if you were a Black woman or transgender, Kirk would not imagine you having any role in the future of American politics.
So it’s personal? B/c if you were a Black woman or transgender, Kirk would not imagine you having any role in the future of American politics.
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Lots of awful layers to this, but I keep coming back to the horror of little girls going to a place where they’re supposed to be safe and carefree, and this happening. It’s just so awful.
JUST IN: At least 67 people are dead following flooding that slammed central Texas over the weekend, while a desperate search for 11 missing girls continues.
At least 67 dead in catastrophic Texas flooding and 11 missing from girls camp
At least 67 people are dead following flooding that slammed central Texas over the weekend, while a desperate search for 11 missing girls continues.
n.pr
July 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Lots of awful layers to this, but I keep coming back to the horror of little girls going to a place where they’re supposed to be safe and carefree, and this happening. It’s just so awful.
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Budapest: At least 100,000 people defied Viktor Orbán’s ban & to marched in the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary's history
June 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Budapest: At least 100,000 people defied Viktor Orbán’s ban & to marched in the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary's history
Before Garth Brooks, there was Randy Travis. Diane Diekman’s new biography, Randy Travis: Storms of Life, traces the country icon’s multi-platinum rise and legacy. We dig in on Untethered Southerner. @illinoispress.bsky.social
Randy Travis: The Man Who Saved Country Music?
Biographer Diane Diekman on documenting Travis’s still-unfolding legacy
open.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Before Garth Brooks, there was Randy Travis. Diane Diekman’s new biography, Randy Travis: Storms of Life, traces the country icon’s multi-platinum rise and legacy. We dig in on Untethered Southerner. @illinoispress.bsky.social
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
They've got enough money to throw us into another war, but not enough money to fund the suicide prevention hotline. Very "pro-life." Very "pro-family." So "GREAT."
June 19, 2025 at 1:54 AM
They've got enough money to throw us into another war, but not enough money to fund the suicide prevention hotline. Very "pro-life." Very "pro-family." So "GREAT."
@thekygentlemen.bsky.social deliver the summer’s sexiest country song — “Denim on Denim.” The duo tell me all about creating the track in a new interview on Untethered Southerner!
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
June 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
@thekygentlemen.bsky.social deliver the summer’s sexiest country song — “Denim on Denim.” The duo tell me all about creating the track in a new interview on Untethered Southerner!
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Fayetteville, Arkansas
June 14, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Walz announces that Rep. Melissa Hortman is dead as a result of a "politically motivated assassination"
June 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Walz announces that Rep. Melissa Hortman is dead as a result of a "politically motivated assassination"
@thekygentlemen.bsky.social just hosted a sold-out and fabulous event in Nashville to celebrate their new album, Rhinestone Revolution. We’re talking about it all on my Substack, Untethered Southerner.
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
June 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
@thekygentlemen.bsky.social just hosted a sold-out and fabulous event in Nashville to celebrate their new album, Rhinestone Revolution. We’re talking about it all on my Substack, Untethered Southerner.
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
untetheredsoutherner.substack.com/p/thekentuck...
Just five of the nearly 300 artists on the official CMA Fest lineup identify as openly queer... Read my take on the event in the latest issue of Nashville Scene.
www.nashvillescene.com/music/covers...
www.nashvillescene.com/music/covers...
June 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Just five of the nearly 300 artists on the official CMA Fest lineup identify as openly queer... Read my take on the event in the latest issue of Nashville Scene.
www.nashvillescene.com/music/covers...
www.nashvillescene.com/music/covers...
“It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an honest one.” Shared my thoughts on The Judd Family documentary, airing this weekend on Lifetime, on my Substack, Untethered Southerner.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
My Thoughts on "The Judd Family: Truth Be Told"
New Documentary Offers New Insight into The Judds' Musical Origins
open.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
“It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an honest one.” Shared my thoughts on The Judd Family documentary, airing this weekend on Lifetime, on my Substack, Untethered Southerner.
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
open.substack.com/pub/untether...
Reposted by Hunter Kelly
Trump's post is a federal crime. 26 USC § 7217.
May 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Trump's post is a federal crime. 26 USC § 7217.