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Shane McAnally Gives Moving Speech at ACM Honors: 'I Didn't Know You Could Be in Country Music and Be Gay'

Shane McAnally flashes a big smile while hitting the blue carpet at the 2019 ACM Honors held at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday (August 21) in Nashville, Tenn.

The 44-year-old Grammy-winning singer-songwriter was honored as the 2019 ACM Songwriter of the Year at the ceremony, celebrating the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 2019 Country Music Awards in April.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Shane McAnally

“When I came out to my mom, she was so scared that I wouldn’t get this dream, that this wouldn’t happen for me,” Shane expressed upon accepting his trophy (via Billboard Pride). “This town has never for a minute made me feel anything but loved and accepted.”

“It’s beyond my wildest dreams because not only did I want to be in country music, didn’t know you could write songs for people, didn’t know that was a job, I really didn’t know you could be in country music and be gay,” Shane continued. “Most importantly, I do have to acknowledge my husband, and it’s so cool to get to say that on this stage. He is the one who dreamed this big for me. He tells me every day that I can do anything, and we are living our truth and our dream with our children and our life. Our closer-than-family friend who is going through something, I just want to dedicate this award to our sweet Chelsea and when you say those prayers tonight, mention her name. I love country music and I love this town, thank you very, very much.”

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NBC's 'Songland' - Meet the Judges for 2019's Season One!

The brand new music competition series Songland is premiering on NBC tonight (May 28) and we’re taking a minute to introduce you to the judges.

The new series will help undiscovered songwriters pitch their original songs to some of the world’s top recording artists.

The 11-episode series is an authentic peek into the creative process of songwriting and provides one talented winner per episode with the opportunity to have their song recorded and released worldwide by chart-topping artists.

The three judges have all written music that you have definitely heard in the past and they’ll be joined each week by a guest artist. The series airs on Tuesday nights at 10/9c on NBC.

Click though the slideshow to meet the judges…