After nine nominations, country duo Brothers Osborne won their first-ever Grammy Award on Sunday, when “Younger Me” was named Best Country/Duo Group Performance.
The song plays as a letter to the younger self of lead vocalist T.J. Osborne, who came out as gay last year. At that moment, he became the first openly gay artist to be currently signed to a major country label.
“I never thought that I would be able to do music professionally because of my sexuality,” Osborne said. “And I certainly never thought it would be here on the stage accepting a Grammy, after having done something I felt like was going to be life-changing, and potentially in a very negative way.”
“And here I am tonight, not only accepting this Grammy award with my brother, who I love so much, but I’m here with a man that I love and who loves me back. I don’t know what I did be so lucky. Thank you.”
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He was acknowledging his partner, Abi Ventura, who applauded proudly from the stands along with Brandi Carlile and other musical friends. The couple made their first appearance at the CMA Awards last November, when Brothers Osborne were named Duo of the Year. They won a similar prize at last month’s ACM Awards.
With his hand on his “little brother’s” shoulder, lead guitarist John Osborne told the audience, “We all have a younger self in us. Thank them, because they got you here, and take care of that person.”
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Speaking in the media room after their win, T.J. Osborne was asked how it felt to be accepted by his fellow country artists after coming out.
“We’ve seen from the past awards shows with them, that I have felt this incredible embrace,” he said. “And I think more so, (we’re) feeling it from the country music fans.”
