Josey Greenwell

Josey Greenwell began his music career in Nashville, moving there after high school to pursue his dream as a singer-songwriter. Early in his career, he faced advice from industry figures suggesting he conceal his sexual orientation. Despite these challenges, Greenwell independently released the album “My Life on the Radio” and gained recognition by winning a fan-voted contest to open for Little Big Town’s 2009 “A Place To Land” Tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He subsequently opened for various country acts and performed at LGBTQ Pride Events nationwide.

After a period of discouragement regarding his music career and a lack of label support, Greenwell relocated to Miami, Florida. In 2012, he released the single “Stuck in My Head,” which reflected a shift in his musical style. Following a European tour, he returned to Nashville to seek a record deal. However, during a label meeting, executives advised him to rebrand his image and appear “more masculine,” suggesting he avoid interviews due to his “gender expression.” Consequently, in the fall of 2013, Greenwell moved back to Nashville and released the country-pop EP “Road Map” under the stage name “Nate Green.” This period led to public backlash, particularly from the LGBTQ community, who perceived his rebrand as a retraction of his openly gay identity.

Experiencing personal and public difficulties, including an incident where his car was vandalized with a homophobic slur, Greenwell canceled further promotion for “Road Map.” He subsequently shifted his focus to fitness, moving to New York City and becoming a chief instructor at Barry’s Bootcamp. His passion for music and songwriting persisted, leading him to work on his full-length album, “City Games.” Greenwell has since used his platform to share his experiences and inspire young LGBTQ musicians, openly discussing the challenges he faced and his journey toward self-acceptance. He released the single “102” as a teaser for “City Games,” followed by “Cowboy” on June 28.