Country singer Ty Herndon is very thankful for the support he has received in the last week following his momentous coming out as gay, which prompted another country singer, Billy Gilman, to open up about who he is.

In an exclusive follow up interview with People, Herndon said he is very thankful for all the support he has received from fans as well as other celebrities and personalities.

"My mom says I need to send thank-you cards, so I've got a long list!" he joked.

Herndon feels his life has changed for the better.

"My life feels open," the 52-year-old singer explained. "It feels free, like the weight of the world's been lifted off my shoulders."

Herndon added Chely Wright, the first out country singer, gave him advice on how to deal with announcing that he is gay. He also received support from various others including Ricky Martin, Lance Bass and LeAnn Rimes.

Herndon came out in an interview with People magazine, in which he explained his struggle coming to terms with his sexuality. The interview, which aired on “Entertainment Tonight," revealed many of Herndon’s problems throughout his life and his fears that he could not succeed as a gay man in the country music world, calling it the biggest lie he told himself.

"I've dreamed about being in country music since I was 6 years old," he said in the interview. "It's my life, it’s what I do, it's who I am, and I went to great lengths to cover up that fact to be a country star."

Herndon then talked about how the country music industry does not traditionally support LGBT people, but it is changing.

The singer's decision to come out inspired another country music singer to reveal his sexuality. Gilman came out later that day with a video on YouTube:

"It's taken me a good many weeks to figure out how I was to approach this video that you're watching right now," he began. "But today, actually, a fellow country artist and friend made it easier for me to make this video."

These two singers’ decisions to come out brought praise from LGBT rights lobby group, the Human Rights Campaign.

Celebrities also praised the singers’ coming out on Twitter.

Jazz musician Dave Koz:

Openly gay MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts:

Fellow gay singer Lance Bass:

Gay Latino singer Ricky Martin:

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