T.J. Osborne opened up about what the song "Younger Me," which he sings with brother John Osborne as the Brothers Osborne, means to him and his younger self at the 2021 CMA Awards.
"For many years I would watch this show, year after year, and I always thought how incredible it would be. ... I would dream of being up here on this stage," T.J., who came out as gay in February, said when introducing the duo's performance Wednesday night.
MORE: 2021 CMA Awards: Complete winners list"There were so many things that were so many hurdles for me and I always felt, truthfully felt, like it would never be possible, because of my sexuality, to be here," he continued. "And I just wish ... I wish my younger me could see me now."
The Brothers Osborne, with T.J. on the mic and John on guitar, delivered a memorable performance of "Younger Me" after having won vocal duo of the year for the fourth time in their career.
Ahead of the CMA Awards, T.J. opened up about the power of the twosome's latest song and what it meant to be given a platform to perform it.
MORE: Brothers Osborne's T.J. Osborne comes out as gay"To be in a moment where we're getting a nomination, but also getting to perform a song that isn't a single or on a record yet, I think speaks volumes to the CMAs and what they're willing to do to bring some visibility or have things that are meaningful on the show," T.J. told ABC Audio. "I would certainly love to win for the video, mainly for the message beyond what the song says. That would be a huge one to win."
The brothers were also nominated for album of the year for "Skeletons," but ultimately lost in that category. Either way, T.J. said they were going into the show already feeling like winners.
"To be nominated at the same time for an album that that song isn't on and be nominated for 'Skeletons,' it's a big night for us, honestly, no matter how you slice it," he said. "Even at this point, if we walk away with just our nominations, it's still a really big night for us."