Singer, Kevin Thornton
DNA: How did Indiana Queen begin? Kevin Thornton: I moved to Nashville from small-town Indiana about 20 years ago with a couple of guys from college. We started a band with more of a folk inspired art-rock sound, won a couple of awards and hit the road playing smoky little clubs all over the country. We managed to finally get a record deal, but it crashed and burned in the wake of the music business revolution caused by the almighty MP3. I was heartbroken. I thought it was over. I packed my bags and took a job on a cruise ship. A few years later, the industry settled and I found myself again. Indiana Queen rose from the ashes of that history.
When people think of country music they don’t often think of gay themes. Was this a challenge? Totally of no concern. I was out on day one in Nashville back when everyone told me I was making a huge mistake. Probably a third of the music business in Nashville is made up of gay people and it’s always been that way. It’s just getting more open now. I kind of can’t believe more people haven’t come forward with how fast the culture is changing.