Country music legend Vince Gill surprised the crowd at the 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance in Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon last night with a message for LGBTQ Pride Month.

The event was co-hosted by Ty Herndon and Cody Alan, with appearances and performances by Tanya Tucker, Terri Clark, Billy Dean, Cale Dodds, Parson James, Temecula Road, Thompson Square, Cam, Anita Cochran, Shelly Fairchild, Cassadee Pope, Michael Ray, Calum Scott, Brandon Stansell, and WWE Superstars Lana and Sonya. The concert is held annually and coincides with CMA Fest.

Following an iconic performance from Tanya Tucker, Vince Gill received a standing ovation as host Ty Herndon introduced him to close the show. Gill said: “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.”

LEGENDS ONLY @tanya_tucker is standing up for LGBTQ acceptance tonight at GLAAD and @TyHerndoncom’s Concert for Love & Acceptance. #Pride #CMAFest pic.twitter.com/cSrCRUzC4q

— GLAAD (@glaad) June 8, 2018

During the event, GLAAD also announced the Ty Herndon Rising Stars Grant, bestowed upon young people for their commitment to enhancing LGBTQ inclusion and representation in music. The grant is eligible to LGBTQ young people who are working to accelerate acceptance in the music industry. For information on how to apply, visit: www.glaad.org/amp/apply-now-receive-glaad-rising-stars-music-grant-2018

“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.”

The inaugural Concert for Love and Acceptance was held in 2015 to kick off GLAAD’s Southern Stories Tour. The event has been supported by artists like Reba McEntire, with a lineup of performances has included Chris Carmack, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Kree Harrison, Mickey Guyton, Levi Hummon, Runaway June, Ryan Kinder, Meghan Lindsey, Street Corner Symphony, Thompson Square, and Trent Harmon. GLAAD’s Southern Stories initiative tells the stories of LGBTQ people and their allies in the South to create a cultural shift towards LGBTQ acceptance and understanding in the region.

The 2018 Concert for Love and Acceptance partners include presenting partners CMT, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka and community partners Nissan and The Weissmann Group.