Gay Country Artist Tops The UK And New Zealand Album Charts

2020 has been a breakout year for British country music star, Tommy Atkins.

Following four consecutive chart-topping singles in the UK, New Zealand and Canada*, the singer-songwriter has released his first EP: «Kiss Me, Cowboy».

On September 24th, the EP stormed onto the country album charts at #1 in both the UK and New Zealand, even reaching #2 on New Zealand’s all-genre album chart and #6 in the UK.

«I am so proud of these songs and the world-class musicians that have brought them to life in the studio», Tommy Atkins explained to LGBTQ Music Chart. «I hope everyone can find something of themselves in these stories of life and love and the loss of both».

The tracks were recorded in Nashville by producer Dr Ford and feature 2020 GRAMMY winner, Michael Cleveland, on fiddle; legendary steel and dobro player, Smith Curry (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift), Chris Condon on guitars (Billy Ray Cyrus) and Anna Pearson on harmonies. The EP was mastered by GRAMMY-nominated engineer, Pete Lyman, for Infrasonic Sound (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile).

The title track tackles the subjects of homophobia and young love and will serve as Atkins’ next radio single.

«I have a totally supportive family, but a lot of people I’ve known didn’t have that growing up. Often an LGBTQ+ person will discover this when they come out to their family after falling in love for the first time. So not only are they dealing with the rollercoaster of emotions that young love brings, but they’re also dealing with rejection from those they were raised by. It’s a lot, and I wanted to write a song that spoke to that»,

From award wins (Male Artist of the Year, CMS Listener’s Choice) and nominations (Positive Role Model Award – LGBT, National Diversity Awards 2020; Best Song, Silverball Country Awards) to making history at country radio with a hit that featured openly gay lyrics, Atkins is now representing the UK and the LGBTQ+ community in country music on an international level.

The title track «Kiss Me, Cowboy» are one of the challengers this week to the LGBTQ Music Chart, you vote it in into the LGBTQ Music Chart here.

• «Cinderella’s Had a Drink» (#1 LGBTQ Music Chart, #2 U.K. Country, #2 Q32 Canada, #3 New Zealand Country), Wild in the Wind (#2 N.Z. Country, #5 U.K. Country), and Freedom (#2 N.Z. Country, #4 Q32 Canada, #5 U.K. Country), Freedom (Stripped) (#2 N.Z. Country, #3 UK  Country)