Vince Gill Makes Surprise Appearance at Ty Herndon’s Concert for Love & Acceptance during CMA Fest

For the fourth year in a row, Ty Herndon raised awareness for the LGBTQ community at the 2018 CMA Music Festival this week with the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance on Thursday night (June 7).

With Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan as co-hosts, artists like Terri Clark, Billy Dean, Cale Dodds, Parson James, Tanya Tucker, Temecula Road, Thompson Square, Cam, Anita Cochran, Shelly Fairchild, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Calum Scott, Brandon Stansell and WWE Superstars Lana and Sonya came together not only to perform their biggest hits, but also to raise awareness to the situations LGBTQ people face when living in the South.

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 07: Cam performs at the GLAAD + TY HERNDON’s 2018 Concert for Love & Acceptance at Wildhorse Saloon on June 7, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for The 2018 Concert for Love & Acceptance)

“At GLAAD we know that music has the power to change hearts and minds and all of the country music superstars who spoke and sang at the Concert for Love and Acceptance did just that,” said Zeke Stokes, GLAAD’s Vice President of Programs and Executive Producer of the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance. “Last night’s concert was one for the record books with an amazing lineup of talent and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Want more from the show? Head on over to our Instagram story to see highlights from the red carpet!

Moments after Tanya Tucker‘s iconic performance, Herndon came out to welcome a very special surprise guest — none other than country legend Vince Gill! Receiving a standing ovation during his introduction, Gill said the following in regards to love and acceptance:

“As a young child I always heard the words that we are all created equal. I believed that as a little boy and I believe that as a grown man.” – Vince Gill

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 07: Ty Herndon performs at the GLAAD + TY HERNDON’s 2018 Concert for Love & Acceptance at Wildhorse Saloon on June 7, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for The 2018 Concert for Love & Acceptance)

Previous supporters of the Concert for Love and Acceptance include Reba McEntire, Chris Carmack, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Kree Harrison, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Runaway June, Ryan Kinder, Meghan Linsey, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, and Trent Harmon.

Click through the gallery below to see more photos from the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance…