Warner Books to Publish Book by Country Music Star Gretchen Wilson

Warner Books to Publish Book by Country Music Star Gretchen Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Country music sensation Gretchen Wilson has signed a major deal with Warner Books. Slated to appear in November 2006, GRETCHEN WILSON: I'll Tell You What a Redneck Woman Is will feature Wilson's incredible rags to riches story and offer up a comprehensive roadmap to living the fun, independent and empowering life of a Redneck Woman. The deal was brokered by Mel Berger of the William Morris Agency and Colin Fox of Warner Books.

Raised by a single mom in rural Illinois, Wilson's formal education concluded in the eighth grade when she traded books for tending bar at Big O's, a rough and tumble joint on the outskirts of Pocahontas, IL. By the time she was 15, Gretchen was managing the place with the help of a loaded 12-gauge behind the bar to keep folks in line. Though he was long gone, Wilson's father had instilled a love of music in his daughter that blossomed on stage at Big O's where she found herself fronting a cover band and eyeing a move to Nashvillian search of something more.

Another town, struggling in another bar job, but again her gift for music won out. Discovered while singing with the house band at a bar in Nashville's famed Printer's Alley, Gretchen Wilson soon joined the ranks of the Muzik Mafia and the rest is history. In less than one calendar year she went from worrying about the repossession of her car to being one of the most successful recording stars in the world.

Wilson's 2004 debut album "Here for the Party" (Sony BMG) was certified quadruple platinum and established her as the top-selling debut artist of the year for any genre. Record sales mixed with rave reviews and Gretchen went on to win both a Grammy for Top Female Country Song of the Year and the Country Music Awards Horizon Award. Her 2005 follow-up "All Jacked Up" (Sony BMG) debuted at #1 on both the overall Billboard list and the Billboard Country Album chart and led to top female vocalist awards for 2005 from the CMAs and the American Music Awards.

Co-written by acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Allen Rucker, GRETCHEN WILSON: I'll Tell You What a Redneck Woman Is will cover this inspiring All-American success story while providing a fun, and insightful look in on the kind of strength, will and humor that have allowed Wilson to reclaim the term "Redneck" and recast it as a point of pride for millions of her fans. Whether she discusses her fashion preferences (Wal-Mart over Victoria's Secret), her choice of beer over champagne, her views on family, or the artists who've helped carve out the path she currently walks (Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, etc.), Wilson's signature knack for storytelling and connecting with her audience on that authentically real level translates seamlessly to the page and offers a new and exciting glimpse at one of America's most beloved performers.

Ms. Wilson had the following to say about her debut on the page: "More than anything else, I wanted to write this book just to be able to connect on a different level with my fans. I haven't had a chance to talk to them like this yet!" And Warner Publisher, Jamie Raab added, "We are very excited about publishing Gretchen Wilson's book, and feel certain that the millions of us who love her music will welcome the chance to get to know her better, and understand what it really means to be a Redneck Woman."

Web site:

Source: Sony BMG Nashville

CONTACT: Michele Schweitzer of M-RELATIONS, INC., +1-212-661 9411, or
MS@M-RELATIONS.COM

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