Gretchen Wilson

Raised by her mom (her dad left when she was 2) in various trailer parks in and around Pocahontas, IL. Dropped out of school at age 14 and worked at Big O's, a roadside bar where her mother also worked. Moved to Nashville in 1996 to pursue a music career and was eventually spotted performing at a bar by Big Kenny and John Rich, aka Big and Rich, who hired her to sing on their demos. Published a memoir in 2006 titled Redneck Woman: Stories From My Life . Earned her G.E.D. at age 34 alongside… Show more her 21-year-old cousin. The experience prompted her to become an advocate for adult-education funding, and she received a National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award in 2009. Parted ways with Sony Music in 2009 and started her own record label, Redneck Records, with its first release her 2010 album I Got Your Country Right Here . Supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Children's Miracle Network. ~ Rovi

Show less