In a celebration of Pride Month, rising country artist Chris Housman has unveiled his highly anticipated debut album ‘Blueneck.' Housman, an openly gay singer-songwriter, fuses his queer identity with classic country sensibilities, creating a unique and compelling musical experience. The album, featuring 13 tracks co-written by Housman, is available everywhere now.
Backed by a rich six-string sound and his distinctive Kansas baritone, Housman brings a fresh perspective to country music. His debut album has already caught the attention of critics, with NPR's All Songs Considered naming it a Best Album pick, praising Housman for “making beautifully crafted music that any classic country fan would love.” Rolling Stone describes the album as “irresistible,” while Good Morning America commends him for “making waves.” Billboard hails Housman as a beacon for “outcasts in the genre,” underscoring his message that “Country music is for everyone.”
Born and raised in Hanston, Kansas, Housman’s roots are deeply embedded in small-town, rural America. Growing up on a farm, he developed a love for country music at an early age, inspired by local musicians. “At 7 years old, I loved going to Country jam sessions with my family. I would get mesmerized by this guy Tom, who played fiddle,” recalls Housman. “At Christmas, I got a fiddle from Santa, and I picked it up and ran from there.”
By age 8, Housman was performing with his family band, showcasing his talent across Kansas. He expanded his musical repertoire, mastering instruments like the guitar, upright bass, piano, saxophone, spoons, banjo, and even competitive whistling. However, his relationship with country music changed when he came out as gay at 18. He moved to Nashville for college but temporarily stepped away from performing, feeling he had to choose between his identity and his music.
A life-changing accident in 2014, when Housman broke his neck, reignited his passion for music. He returned to the stage, performing solo at colleges nationwide. His song ‘Blueneck,' which went viral on TikTok, hit No. 1 on the iTunes country chart and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Digital Country chart, cementing his status as a breakout star.
Other tracks like ‘Bible Belt,' exploring religious trauma, and ‘Drag Queen,' celebrating a teacher who transforms into a drag queen, highlight Housman's ability to blend personal narratives with broader social themes. His clever wordplay and pop-country sound have resonated with fans, expediting the release of ‘Blueneck.'
Reflecting on his journey, Housman says, “It feels like my life’s work. The thing I’ve been making since I picked up the fiddle at 7. It’s pretty upbeat and positive but it’s also my soul, my truth.” The music video for ‘Guilty as Sin' premiered in Times Square and quickly garnered 350,000 views, described by Queerty as “defiantly gay.”
Housman's greatest reward has been the positive response from fans. “I see a lot of people out there who grew up loving country music, but gravitated away from it because they didn’t feel welcome there anymore,” he shares. “When those people tell me I helped them finally feel seen in the genre…that’s already living the dream as far as I’m concerned.”
Blueneck Track Listing:
- High Hopes (Chris Housman, Jerry Fuentes)
- Laid Back (Chris Housman, Emily Kroll, Christian Wood)
- Blueneck (Chris Housman, Nell Maynard, Tommy Kratzert)
- Long Story Long (Chris Housman, Emily Kroll)
- Guilty As Sin (Chris Housman, Nell Maynard, Brandon Meagher)
- Drag Queen (Chris Housman, Chris Sligh, Mary Kutter)
- Tomorrow, Tonight (Chris Housman, Tommy Kratzert, Emily Kroll)
- Nobody (Chris Housman, Christian Wood, Emily Kroll)
- The Dog (Chris Housman, Emily Kroll)
- Can’t Go Down That Road (Chris Housman, Blaine Younger)
- Bible Belt (Chris Housman, Chris Sligh, Mary Kutter)
- Life Behind Bars (Chris Housman, Chris Sligh, Mary Kutter)
- Why Can’t I Just Stay? (work tape) (Chris Housman)
Keep up with Chris Housman on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to learn more about his upcoming plans for 2024.
