Community Corner

Lemont Native's Gay-Themed Country Song Becomes YouTube Hit

Steve Grand's first music video for his song "All-American Boy" has made him an overnight sensation—garnering more than a million views since it was posted on YouTube on July 2.

This story was written by Patch Editor Amanda Luevano

Before last week, Lemont native Steve Grand was a complete unknown—just a regular 23-year-old working odd jobs in Chicago to pay the rent.

On July 2, Grand, an aspiring songwriter, became YouTube's latest overnight sensation after posting the music video for his country-rock ballad, "All-American Boy." The song is a classic tale of unrequited love, but unlike most other country songs, it's told from a gay man's perspective.

Grand told the Associated Press that the story was inspired by an experience he had at summer camp when he was 13 years old.

“One of my counselors was warm and strong and he took an interest in me—not sexually, but as a friend, and it really moved me," Grand said in the interview. "I remember leaving with a horrible ache in my heart.”

Grand maxed out his credit card to make the $7,000 video. Since it was posted July 2, the video has attracted more than a million views on YouTube and thousands of followers on Facebook and Twitter.

Grand also attracted the attention of media outlets across the country. An Associated Press interview was published Monday, and on Tuesday he appeared on Good Morning America.

In the Good Morning America interview, Grand said the story behind "All-American Boy" is one that everyone can relate to, regardless of sexuality.

"I wrote it from the most purest, genuine place in my soul," Grand said. "It's not about being gay, it's about longing for someone." 

Grand is a 2008 graduate of Lemont High School. He discovered he was gay in eighth grade and told his friends, and his parents eventually found out. He was sent to "straight therapy" for five years, according to the Associated Press.

"I felt like I really was a shame to my parents," Grand told Good Morning America. "I felt like there was no way I could ever make them proud."

When Grand first released the video on his Facebook page, he shared an emotional message with his followers:

"time to be brave. the world does not see change until it sees honesty. I am taking a risk here in many ways, but really there is no choice but to be brave. To not tell this story is to let my soul die. It is all I believe in. It is all I hold dear. We have all longed for someone we can never have... we all have felt that ache for our #allamericanboy.

"first original song and music video. I gave everything for this. If my story makes even a couple people feel less alone in their aching, all the blood, sweat, tears, and soul I put into this project makes it worth it. Thanks for watching."

Grand said has been overwhelmed not only by the response on social media, but from his family.

"I'm so moved by my mom," he said. "She told me, 'You're touching so many people and I love you so much and I'm proud of you.'"

Read what Star Trek star George Takei had to say about Grand.

See Grand's full interview on Good Morning America here.



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