GRETCHEN WILSON (Nominated for Female Vocalist, Song and Music Video of the Year.)
Gretchen Wilson came roaring out of the gate in 2004 with her smash, six-week No. 1 single "Redneck Woman." Her debut album, Here for the Party, entered Billboard's Country Albums chart at No. 1, the Top 200 chart at No. 2 and has sold more than 4 million. Born in Pocahontas, Ill., Wilson had to fend for herself at an early age and started tending bar at 14 at local watering hole Big O's. Between serving drinks, Wilson would sing along to CD tracks for tips and eventually fronted the house band. Wilson moved to Nashville in 1996 and struggled for almost four years before meeting John Rich (of Big & Rich) at the bar where she worked. Rich introduced her to the MuzikMafia, a loose-knit group of singers, songwriters and musicians that got together every Tuesday night at a local club to jam. Wilson honed her songwriting skills and signed with Epic Records. Her catapult to stardom reached an even higher peak in 2004 when she picked up the CMA Horizon Award. Wilson's sophomore album, All Jacked Up, was released in September and debuted at No. 1 on both pop and Country Billboard charts. Her current single is "I Don't Want To Love You Today."
CMA Awards:
2004 Horizon Award
(Bio and Award Listing courtesy the Country Music Association)