Country Pop Bites: Gretchen Wilson – July 19

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 2004 Gretchen Wilson's "Here For The Party" album was certified double-platinum?

It's true! Check out the 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.