Although many kids today might see differently, not all female solo country stars come from the Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift mold. Just ask Gretchen Wilson, who had a big role in bringing back the glory days of solo femmes in country music. Her more mature lyrics and rougher sound, however, firmly places her in a category that no pop princess or American Idol today shares.

Gretchen Wilson, The Country Girl

"The reason I've been successful is that I've been genuine from the get-go."

Although many kids today might see differently, not all female solo country stars come from the Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift mold. Just ask Gretchen Wilson, who had a big role in bringing back the glory days of solo femmes in country music. Her more mature lyrics and rougher sound, however, firmly places her in a category that no pop princess or American Idol today shares.

Gretchen Wilson Growing Up

Born Gretchen Frances Wilson in Pocahontas, Illinois to a teenage mother in 1973, her early life could only be described as difficult. Her father left before she made her second birthday and the two moved around in trailer parks, living in poverty. Young Gretchen left school at 15 to work in order to augment her mother's salary as a waitress.

At 17, she had already begun doing small singing gigs around St. Louis, Missouri. It was during that period that she was discovered by Springfield, Missouri bar owner Susie Osburn, who happened to be searching for a new house band that time. She offered the Patsy Cline-singing Wilson employment at her establishment, the Townhouse. Wilson jumped at the chance and brought her band, Sam-A-Lama, with her to Springfield.

Two years of performing six nights a week later, she returned briefly to her hometown before finally making the move to Nashville in 1996. Her first several years there were far from easy; she, as one musician friend put it, lacked buzz. After meeting producer John Rich, however, the local music scene was finally introduced to Gretchen Wilson.

Gretchen Wilson Goes to Town

Epic Records finally picked her up in 2003 to record her first album, Here for the Party. The first single, Redneck Woman, established an instant fan base with its unabashed description of her white trash, trailer park roots. Here for the Party was released much earlier than originally planned, debuting at the top spot of the Billboard 200 for country music. The album went on to sell more than 5 million copies.

All Jacked Up followed in 2005 and debuted at the top of the country charts, selling a million copies before long. While releasing singles for All Jacked Up, Wilson switched to Columbia Records as Epic's Nashville division had already shuttered up. The album was also monumental for earning Wilson her first two Grammy nods.

Her next record, 2007's One of the Boys, has been her poorest commercial performer to date, failing to earn even gold certification. After leaving Sony Music Nashville in 2009, she started her own label, Redneck Records. Redneck will be the one to release her fourth and upcoming studio album, expected for a March 2010 debut.

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