(CNN) -- There are plenty of country songs about how to be a man. One way is to face the music, and two country crooners did that on Thursday.

(CNN) -- Country star Ty Herndon has something to share: He's an "out, proud and happy gay man."

As 2014 draws to a close, Dolly Parton is far from resting on her laurels, and shows no signs of slowing down. The songstress continues to make history, with a record-setting tour overseas, and also raises the bar from a sales standpoint with yet another platinum selling album in a career that has already seen worldwide sales of over one hundred million records, and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Not long ago, Steve Grand was a little-known, young singer/songwriter from the Chicago suburbs. But that all changed in July, when his self-funded music video, All-American Boy, was posted to YouTube.

Not many performers can be called a true icon; Dolly Parton is the exception to that rule. From movies to music to Dollywood, Parton has managed to stay relevant and adored throughout her career.

Many tend to believe the country music genre is filled with majorly conservative fans with little wiggle room for LGBT acceptance, making it difficult for country musicians to come out of the closet. However, these five artists pushed past these stereotypes to become open about their sexuality without fear of backlash against their music.

(AP) A South Ogden city councilman has voted against an agreement to have an openly gay country musician perform, saying he didn't want the performer to make a political speech.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ In this town, Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey takes a backseat to Willie Nelson.