Gretchen Wilson

Country singer-songwriter Gretchen Wilson was born in Illinois in 1973. She has sold millions of albums and has earned critical praise from the Grammys, the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Awards. She is known as the 'Godmother of the Muzik Mafia' - an alliance of country music performers, intent on spreading their love of music free from the prejudices and boundaries of genre definitions.

Wilson hit the ground running with her debut album, with over four million sales worldwide. Here for the Party went on to win her the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The follow-up sold well on release, debuting in the top spot of the Country Album charts, but a quick tail-off in sales saw the album drop out the charts. Sales for the singles "All Jacked Up", "Politically Incorrect" and "California Girls", although charting in the Top 30, were described as disappointing and have taken the album's total sales to 'only' one million.

In the context of having had a storming first album, a sophomore slump might be expected, but when her third album did less well again, she decided to re-evaluate her career. Wilson plans to return to college to study for her General Education Department certification.