I have been very fortunate to interview a few openly gay Country Music artists over the years including Ty Herndon, Hayden Joseph, and Jack Nathan Harding.

When I received the press release for Country Music Singer Andrew Mitch's new song, "unapologetic," I was very moved by his lyrics about not fitting in, which is something I have struggled with my whole life. I appreciate how he encourages his listeners to be their authentic self, even if it goes against the norm.

In this interview, Andrew answered my call to share:

• How writing "unapologetic" helped him embrace being different
• What advice he would give someone who feels like they don't belong
• How he keeps himself calm
• Why all his song titles are in lowercase letters
• So much more

Connect with Andrew: Website, Instagram

1. I have been very fortunate to interview a few openly gay country music artists over the years. What made you want to pursue country music over a different genre? Country music was a natural evolution for my sound. I've always loved its storytelling lyrics and its ability to be so simple.

It can be this full band electrifying experience at a party, and country music can be an intimate campfire session. It's such a beautiful and complex genre.

And even as I've tried other genres, I always gravitate back to country.

2. Who were some of your inspirations growing up? I saw a Disney Channel music video of Aly & AJ when I was eleven-years-old, and honestly it was that video that inspired me to pick up the guitar and start to write songs. (I still listen to them all the time!)

Since then, I've been deeply inspired by pop artists like Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran, and country artists like OG Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini.

3. You just released your latest single, "unapologetic," about not fitting the "Nashville Norm," and what happens when you feel like you don't fit in all the time. How did writing this song help you be okay with not fitting in? Nashville is such an interesting town, because everyone moves here trying to be "different." But it's kind of a double-edged sword, because there's also these "rules" everyone seems to follow in order to be a "true Nashville country singer." Whether it's what you wear or what you sing about, it feels like you're allowed to be "different," but not "too different," if that makes sense.

And trying to follow those rules meant my artistry started to suffer and feel stifled. So I started asking myself: What would happen if I just...didn't follow the rules? Like really, what's the worst that could happen? That's when I wrote this song "unapologetic."

And it turns out, my fans have since become even more receptive to my lyrics...and ironically, so has Nashville.

Andrew Mitch performing in Nashville, TN
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Mitch's Social Media

4. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with fitting in? Life isn't about fitting in or standing out. It's about finding yourself and what you love.

When you start to be brutally honest with what it is you want, good things start coming to you, along with the opportunities, and people you're meant to "fit in" with.

There's so much beauty in letting go and just being authentic.

5. In the press release I received about "unapologetic," you are quoted as saying, "I don’t wanna step on anyone’s cowboy boots," in regards to the kind of music you are trying to write. Taking that quote in a different direction, if you could step on someone's cowboy boots as a way to meet them, whose boots would you want to step on? Man, there's so many people I'd absolutely love to meet in this industry. But if I could stomp on just a few boots, figures like Dolly Parton, Thomas Rhett, Josh Kerr, and Nicolle Galyon would be amongst that crowd.

6. Playing off of your song, "all in my head," how do you keep yourself calm and not allow the stress of life to get up in your head? Keeping my stress at bay is a lesson I'm constantly learning, ha-ha. I've recently turned to reading more books, playing songs on my guitar just for the pure enjoyment of it, and spending more time with friends and calling family.

Remembering to work a little less, breathe, and actually LIVE life more has been so liberating.

7. One thing I have noticed about your song titles is that they are all lowercase letters. Why did you choose to stylize your song titles this way instead of capitalizing the first letter of each word? My friends always tease me about my all-lowercase aesthetic, ha-ha. It's just something I saw a singer-songwriter artist (I don't even remember who) do a while back, and I thought the aesthetic was cool. Maybe it makes me feel edgy or something, I don't know.

Andrew Mitch
Photo Credit: Tyler Kohrs

9. Another one of your songs is "thank God." What is something you recently "thank God" for? God has provided for me in ways that I cannot even describe during my time in Nashville. I remember walking around downtown and finding $200 in cash on the ground...and at the time, that was EXACTLY the amount I needed to finish making my rent payment.

Anytime I've felt like giving up the music dream, God has sent me loud-and-clear signs to remind me that Nashville is where I am supposed to be right now.

I always thank God for moments like that, and even for the little things: Running water, food, a roof over my head, and the ability to pursue my dreams. Small things we often take for granted, but are such amazing blessings!

10. Going back a few months, you released another single called, "get to know me." What is something you'd like my audience to get to know about you that we didn't get to talk about? Something I'd love to be more honest with my audience about is: I'm still getting to know myself, and I'm learning to be ok with that.

You may hear my lyrics and sonics shift slightly, I'd love to start a self-help podcast, I want to be more honest about being both gay and Christian, and I may begin incorporating more wellness content in my brand.

I'm learning all the different facets of being a gay man, a Christian, a songwriter, an artist...and a human. So if you want to get to know me more, stick around. :)

Andrew Mitch
Photo Credit Chelsea Erica Smith

More on Andrew Mitch:

Andrew Mitch is a Nashville-based recording artist whose songs bridge the country-pop genre with heartfelt emotion and human connection. His sound captures the storytelling soul of country music while weaving in fresh, modern pop elements.

Born in Steubenville, OH, Andrew grew up listening to his dad play and sing on the guitar, and to his grandfather play him classic country music radio. His early fascination with singing, instruments, and storytelling evolved into teaching himself to play and sing at home, at his church, and at his local youth group. Once he began recording original songs in his bedroom, Andrew’s hobby began to evolve into a lifelong passion for music. Thus, despite his college degree in biochemistry and multiple graduate school offers, Andrew left his hometown in fall 2022 to pursue a full-time artist career in Nashville.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Andrew’s unique and vulnerable lyrics in country music quickly gained attention on social media. In September 2023, he released his first single “all in my head,” a heartfelt anthem that struck a chord with fans across the world. The song’s vivid hometown storytelling and heartfelt hook, “I know that it’s all in my head/ Cuz they’ll just wish you were a girl instead,” earned him a peak spot at #94 on the US iTunes country charts, hundreds of thousands of streams, and widespread praise for its authenticity and raw emotion.

Following its success, Andrew was able to crowdfund the completion of his debut project titled “feeling outside the lines,” a collection of songs that explores heartbreak, family, and healing.

Andrew’s live performances have become a testament to his deep connection with his audience. He was chosen to headline the very first South Arkansas Pride festival in Magnolia, AR, and has shared the stage with artists like Ty Herndon for the annual Concert for Love and Acceptance. From his intimate acoustic sets to electrifying shows on larger stages, Andrew brings an authenticity that leaves fans feeling like they’ve experienced something truly special.

Even as an independent artist, Andrew has been acknowledged by industry professionals and organizations such as Carly Pearce, Ingrid Andress, GLAAD, and more. He has been added to thousands of playlists, including CMA’s Country Proud, CMT Pride, and Hunter Kelly’s Proud Radio on Apple Music Country. With nearly 30,000 followers and over two million social media views, Andrew is quickly making his mark in country music around the globe.

This country singer doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon with lots of brand new music in 2025, beginning with “get to know me” in January, “back home boy” in February, and his most recent single “unapologetic.” And with his ballad-like storytelling and strikingly vulnerable lyrics, Andrew Mitch remains a growing and unapologetically bold artist in the country music space.