2022 Grand Marshals

 
 

TJ Osborn

TJ Osborne is a singer/songwriter, Grammy winner, producer, and one-half of the award-winning country duo Brothers Osborne. A native of Deale, Maryland, he (alongside his brother, John) has earned 5 CMA and 6 ACM awards, 10 Grammy nominations, plus multiple RIAA GOLD and PLATINUM certifications. Known for his distinct lead vocals set to the pair’s ferocious country-rock sound, his “gorgeous baritone” (Billboard) has been praised by NPR as that of “a classic country crooner, with a little Eddie Vedder thrown in.” With a voice that impacts beyond hit songs, TJ was at the forefront of a historic moment for the country genre when he publicly came out toTIMEinFebruary 2021, making him the only openly gay artist signed to a major country label. His story inspired the duo’s Grammy-award-winning song, “Younger Me,” featured on their latest studio release, Skeletons Deluxe.

 

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan is one of the most consistently recognizable faces in popular entertainment. His journey towards stardom has provided one of the quirkier, impressive, and varied career trajectories of the past few decades. Through it all, Leslie Jordan has remained constant, relevant, and–above all–funny! Leslie Jordan is the prestigious 2006 Emmy Award winner for the comedy sitcom “Will & Grace” and is currently starring in Fox’s comedy series as Phil in“Call Me Kat”.Other notable roles in the Cool Kids, American Horror Stories, The Help, and countless more in 2021 Leslie Jordan released his debut gospel album Company’s Comin’withPlatoon Records, and his second book "How Y’all Doing "hit #4 on the New York Times Best Seller List

 

Greg Cason

Greg Cason is the owner of Inspired Concepts and Events and is a Purchasing Manager at Nissan North America . He has held various board positions with several nonprofit organizations such as Nashville Pride, Mash-Up, Mahogany Honors Awards, Common Ground Cooperative, and former Vice President of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. 

He currently serves on the LGBT Advisory Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. He’s often seen volunteering with numerous organizations when he’s not spending time with his husband, Landry Boyle, daughters, Alnecia and Keiterria Cason, and his six grandchildren.


 

Alberta Hardison

Alberta Hardison was born and raised in Nashville, TN, where she continues to carry on the mantle of activism work that is prevalent in her family history. She began her work with the HIV community in 1998 as a trial participant for the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program and joined their Community Advisory Board shortly thereafter. Hardison has now been their Chair for over 10 years, and she continues her volunteerism by working with a multitude of other organizations. She continually uses her voice to make sure that everyone is able to be heard in all circumstances on every issue. She uses her knowledge of community activism to educate others and spread knowledge wherever she goes.

In addition to her fanaticism for The Grilled Cheeserie, she is also an avid Liverpool FC supporter for a variety of reasons, but the main one is their tireless work within the LGBT community. She is also a member of the local community of sports lovers for the Nashville Soccer Club-the Bootleggers SG