Country Pop Bites: Gretchen Wilson – January 29

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 2004 Epic announced the signing of Gretchen Wilson?

It’s true! Check out this classic Gretchen Wilson video!

Here are 5 interesting facts about Gretchen Wilson.

• She was raised by her mom (her dad left when she was 2) in various trailer parks in and around Pocahontas, IL.
• She dropped out of school at age 14 and worked at Big O's, a roadside bar where her mother also worked.
• She 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.
• She published a memoir in 2006 titled Redneck Woman: Stories From My Life.
• She earned her G.E.D. at age 34 alongside 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.