Category Archives: Gretchen Wilson

In late May 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, “Redneck Woman,” became the first by a solo female vocalist to top the Billboard country singles chart in over two years; it also reached number one faster than any single in the previous decade. At the same time, her debut album, Here for the Party, entered the country record chart at number one and the pop album chart at number two with sales of 227,000 copies, the biggest opening week for a new country artist on album. Given the overtly country style of her songs at a time when much country had been leaning toward pop, Wilson was immediately hailed as the latest in a long line of country performers leading the music back to its roots.

Her own roots went back to the tiny town of Pocahontas, IL (36 miles east of St. Louis, MO), where she started singing as a child. Her mother was 16 when she was born on June 26, 1973; her father exited when she was two. She grew up poor, living in a succession of trailer parks. She went to school only through the eighth grade, and at 14 was working as a cook and bartender in the same club where her mother worked. By the age of 20, she was singing in two different bands in the area. She moved to Nashville in 1996 and tended bar at a time of singing on demos and in clubs for the next seven years. during this period, she became part of an informal band of singers and songwriters known as the Muzik Mafia who met once a week to try out new songs. She and John Rich, another member of the group (and a former member of Lonestar), wrote “Redneck Woman,” an autobiographical song in which she unabashedly celebrated her redneck, white-trash background.

In 2003, she auditioned for and was signed by Epic Records. “Redneck Woman” was released as a single in the late winter of 2004 and immediately began its march up the charts. Here for the Party, originally scheduled for release in July, was moved up to May 11 because of the quick success of the single. As it, too, became a hit, Wilson agreed to opening spots on appearances with Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry in the summer of 2004. By this time “Redneck Woman” had become a classic country anthem and Wilson was a superstar. She coped with the instant celebrity, and continued to work as a musician, finding time to write a book, also called Redneck Woman, which hit shops in 2005, the same year her follow-up album, All Jacked Up, appeared. One of the Boys, a deeply personal album, and the first record in which Wilson had a hand in writing most of the songs, was released in 2007.

Work Hard, Play Hard with Gretchen Wilson, Redneck Riviera, and more!

Posted on by
Gretchen Wilson

Redneck Riviera Whiskey Taps Gretchen Wilson, Granger Smith And Colt Ford As Spirit Ambassadors Redneck Riviera Whiskey (EAST: NASDAQ) has struck a chord with three of John Rich’s friends and fellow country artists – Gretchen Wilson, Granger Smith and Colt Ford. Rich has selected the three country stars to serve as Redneck Riviera Whiskey ambassadors, supporting the brand and its efforts to give back to veterans’ families through their social media channels, performances and beyond.  For further information on the brand, please visit http://redneckriviera.com/. This Redneck Riviera Whiskey partnership is a natural fit for these artists, as they’re fans of the whiskey and its American roots. Gretchen Wilson says, “When John and I wrote ‘Redneck Woman’ 15 years ago, little did we know there would be a Redneck Riviera Whiskey someday. While that changed my life, here’s to hoping this whiskey will change your attitude.” Portions of Redneck Riviera Whiskey sales benefit Folds of Honor, whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. John Rich says, “Folds of Honor is such an important organization to me so I knew I had to give back to them through this whiskey. I love that my friends also got behind it and are supporting a great cause.” Rich has recently traveled throughout the Southeast meeting fans and signing bottles sold at select whiskey tastings. The efforts the ambassadors will put behind Redneck Riviera will continue to enhance the overall marketing of the brand. “Redneck Riviera Whiskey gives me the opportunity to support a friend’s venture, our veterans’ families and its the smoothest whiskey around,” Colt Ford said. Granger Smith added, “I’ve been known to sing a song or two about whiskey so I’m excited to support a friend and partner with John’s Redneck Riviera.” Eastside Distillng announced on April 23 that Redneck Riviera Whiskey is now being distributed in 15 states, with the addition of Kentucky as the 15th. Grover Wickersham, CEO of Eastside Distilling, says “Eastside is thrilled at the trajectory of Redneck Riviera Whiskey and our partnership with John Rich. For him to bring some of his friends to help spread the word on whiskey is only a win-win for the team. We love to have brand extenders that truly represent the brand and its complex.” About Redneck Riviera: John Rich’s Redneck Riviera is a privately held lifestyle brand that celebrates America’s hard-working men and women. Built for people who live to turn up the music and have fun with friends and family, Redneck Riviera is America’s ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ brand that offers something for everyone who likes to rock the red, white and blue all year long. Launched in 2014, the brand brings these values to life through footwear, apparel, hospitality, food, spirits and licensed products in a variety of categories. The brand will expand its reach with the opening of honky-tonk bar Redneck Riviera Nashville on Nashville’s Lower Broadway this spring. More information can be found at www.redneckriviera.com. About Continue reading Work Hard, Play Hard with Gretchen Wilson, Redneck Riviera, and more!→

GRETCHEN WILSON RELEASES NEW SINGLE

Posted on by

Gretchen Wilson‘s new album Ready To Get ROWDY goes on sale this Friday, June 16, and today her Redneck Records label distributed her new single “Summertime Town” to Country radio via PlayMPE. “Sometimes a song idea is as simple as a great title,” said Gretchen about the single she wrote with Rob Hatch and Bridgette Tatum. “When you picture a summertime town in your head, you begin to imagine the romance and the heartache that could be attached to a place like that.” Gretchen wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs on Ready To Get ROWDY with some of Nashville’s best and most seasoned songwriters, and she produced the album with Blake Chancey (Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler.) Presale of the new album is available now at iTunes. About Gretchen Wilson: Gretchen Wilson exploded onto the country music scene with her smash hit “Redneck Woman” and has since scored three #1 albums. The critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter has won virtually every award for which she’s been nominated, including trophies from the Grammys, ACM, CMA, AMA and more. Her first book, the autobiographical “Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life,” landed her on the prestigious New York Times Best Seller List. She formed her own record company, Redneck Records, in 2009, and her I Got Your Country Right Here CD received two Grammy nominations. She released three albums in 2013: a new Country album entitled Right On Time, a 13-song Rock covers record Under The Covers, and her Christmas In My Heart holiday collection. After an almost three-year hiatus, she is back with her new album Ready to Get ROWDY, and her nationwide tour kicked off in Las Vegas last night. For more information, tour dates and more, visit www.GretchenWilson.com. Keep up with Gretchen at: www.Facebook.com/GretchenWilson https://twitter.com/gw27

Gretchen Wilson New Single and Albums for 2013

Posted on by

Gretchen Wilson Releases An Avalanche of New Music In 2013! It’s always good news when we hear our “Redneck Woman” is working on new music! Just getting off the road after the Gang of Outlaws Tour with ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down last year, Gretchen Wilson has a brand new single, “Still Rollin,’” ready for airplay and will be releasing a whopping three albums in the upcoming months! “I am very excited to have so much new music coming out this year. We are already touring, and are looking forward to an incredible year with old friends, and new beginnings!“- Gretchen Wilson Besides the new single, Wilson is releasing new album Right On Time, a collection of 12 new songs, on April 2. This will be followed by two other releases, Under The Covers, featuring 12 of Classic Rock hits from the 70s on May 28, and Gretchen’s first full-length Christmas album in October. Like Wilson said, this is gonna be an incredible year for her! So, mark your calendars and be on the look out for the new records!

Gretchen Wilson NRA Country Artist Of The Month

Posted on by

“This Is NRA Country” Announces Gretchen Wilson As The June Artist Of The Month. Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Gretchen Wilson has been selected as the NRA Country artist of the month for June. She joins some of country music’s biggest artists including Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan, Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore, Lee Brice, Montgomery Gentry, Sunny Sweeney and TV personality Storme Warren who have teamed up with NRA Country to celebrate their support of our brave men and women in uniform, appreciation for the great outdoors, and love of family. Gretchen’s strong beliefs and love for this great country make her a perfect NRA Country Artist of the Month partner. “As I go through this journey called ‘life,’ I am reminded every day of God’s sweet blessings. Freedom to live my life the way I was raised is what makes me who I am. I am Gretchen Wilson. I am a strong woman. I am NRA Country! God Bless America.” – Wilson As part of the June promotion, fans can register to win an amazing I Got Your Country Right Here Deluxe Box Set prize pack including: -I Got Your Country Right Here CD -32 page full-color photo book -Poster size replica of the US Constitution -3′ x 5′ “I Got Your Country Right Here” flag -All in a collectors box The prize also includes a hat, a t-shirt, a picture and a personal phone call from Gretchen! Visit nracountry.com from now until the end of June to register to win!

Gretchen Wilson Encourages Education

Posted on by

Gretchen Wilson wants high school dropouts to give school another try. Gretchen Wilson has partnered with the Advertising Counsel and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation as a spokesperson for earning GED diplomas. “People need the right tools to succeed and, at the very minimum, a major tool on the road to success is a high school diploma or GED,” said Wilson. “This campaign will go a long way toward educating people on how to take that first step to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families, and I’m honored to be a part of it.” Gretchen Wilson left school after the eighth grade at age 15 and received her GED almost 20 years later.Country Music Photo Gallery

Gretchen Wilson: I Got Your Country Right Here

Posted on by

Gretchen Wilson tells fans “I Got Your Country Right Here” in her new album due in stores March 30th! Gretchen Wilson has long been known as country music’s official Redneck Woman, with an attitude almost as big as her talent. Now she’s challenging Nashville to get back to their roots, and recognize the shift from steel and soul to pop and princesses with her first album from her own label. “I Got Your Country Right Here”, produced by Gretchen Wilson herself, is due in stores March 30th, and already rumored to be her best work yet. When asked about it, Gretchen just has this to say: “This is the album of my career,” says Gretchen, whose previous three releases, Here for the Party, All Jacked Up and One of the Boys, each debuted at #1 on the country-album chart. “This album turns the page for me. I’m proud of every song on here, and I’m excited about the team we’ve put together to get this music out to the fans.” A Big thanks goes out to John Rich (of Big & Rich) and Blake Chancey for assistance in the album’s production. Here’s a taste of the album’s title track “I Got Your Country Right Here”: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIBtzsINwqc] Country Music Photo Gallery

Sticks Country Music Festival 2009 – Discount Tickets

Posted on by

The organizers at Sticks Country Music Festival know times are hard, and want to help you stretch your dollar the furthest! Sticks Country Music Festival is now offering single-day passes for those who can’t afford the cost or the time off work for the whole weekend.  The festival runs April 17th and 18th, and includes acts like Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Ashton Shepherd, Julianne Hough, Gretchen Wilson, Craig Morgan, Jason Michael Carroll,and many more! $35 Friday only (5 acts + Festival Stge w/local bands) $55 Saturday only (10 acts + Festival Stage w/local bands) $79 Two day pass (With Discount Code CMNB09)! See it all AND get free camping (optional) Country Music Photo Gallery