Musicians Share Their Stories at Franklin Pride

Hundreds of event-goers transformed The Park at Harlinsdale Farm into a big, bright field of color on Saturday as Franklin’s fifth annual pride provided a space for community members from all walks of life to truly embrace themselves and their identities (read more).

While munching on lobster rolls from the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck or making friendship bracelets at one of the many mental wellness tents set up around the festival grounds, fest-goers listened intently to the lineup of queer artists performing throughout the day. From folk music to choirs to full-on Brittney Spears-style dance performances, there was a wild range of diversity peppered throughout the two stages at Franklin Pride.

While several artists performing were Franklin locals, some traveled from all over the country to Williamson County as guest performers at the event. Queer country artist and childhood actor Brian Falduto flew in from New York City for the event, performing songs from his latest album Gay Country, as well as a few new unreleased songs. Falduto performed a stripped-down version of his songs with two local Nashville musicians, creating space for intimacy between himself and his audience.

Although he’s from New York, Falduto fully understands the importance of Pride events in smaller communities.

“Pride is important in places like Franklin. It’s important to have representation,” Falduto said. “When I saw my first pride festival, it was at the end of college. If I would have seen that as a kid, I wouldn’t have been so afraid, because I would have seen celebration and community. So, it’s important to bring that to areas where people don’t see representation as often.”

Best known for his role as “Billy” from the cult classic film School of Rock, Falduto is rebranding and embracing his true colors as a queer country artist. Although country music is not traditionally seen as a genre for queer folks, Falduto is breaking stereotypes and expanding the genre to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community. Falduto recognizes the difficulties of being a queer artist in country music, and he works to dismantle the stereotypes and create music that rings true to himself.

“It can be tough, but it’s also great, you know?” Falduto told Williamson Scene. “I think there’s been a lot of change in the past couple of years, and it’s exciting to see that change and be a part of it.”

At Franklin Pride, Falduto performed several songs that were filled with LGBTQ pride. From his new release Same Old Country Love Song, where Falduto talks about late nights with beer and guitars on backroads, hinting at the familiar storyline found in country music, except this time he goes on to say in the song that this version is about two guys instead of the heteronormative narrative.

Nashville-based artist and activist Gwen Levey performed just a little bit after Falduto, playing in her pop-rock band Gwen Levey and the Breakdown. Levey’s performance at Franklin Pride was just as powerfully politically charged as it was fun to listen to. Behind her country-rock persona and electric musicality, Levey tells stories through her lyrics that are meant to bring a voice to the voiceless. In her most popular song, “Barefoot and Pregnant,” which she performed at Pride, Levey speaks out about abortion laws by creating a character that’s pregnant and performing household chores. The satirical country song is meant to be a more light-hearted approach to the subject of abortion, all the while still leaving a heavy mark on listeners.

“I’ve always been outspoken in my music, but when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, I knew I had to write about the issue,” Levey said. “I wanted to write about it in a way that was disarming. So we made it a satirical song about being barefoot and pregnant, and I feel like people have embraced this song the most. That’s shown me that I’m on the right journey, because I’m playing music that speaks for people.”

Identifying as bisexual, Levey finds representation extremely important in music. Diversity and inclusion are two things Levey fights for, and it shows in the music she writes.

“The Franklin community is full of LGBTQ people, no matter what anyone else says. Keep your head up. You’re not alone,” she said. “This community showed up in the pouring rain for pride and for queer people, and I want people to know they’re never alone, no matter how alone they may feel.”

Despite a brief moment of rainy weather, the Franklin community showed up decked out in rainbow gear, full of joy and pride as they celebrated diversity and equality on Saturday. From the clacking of fans at Brian Falduto’s country set to kids blowing bubbles and festival attendees dressed in drag dancing around to groups of teens head-banging to Gwen Levey and the Breakdown, there was an abundance of positivity radiating throughout Franklin Pride on Saturday afternoon.

Editor's Note: Williamson Scene is a media sponsor of Franklin Pride.