NASHVILLE, TN. (Sony
Music Nashville) - When the dust settled from the frenzied holiday selling season, Gretchen Wilson's debut album Here For The Party had scanned almost three million units - cementing her as the top-selling debut artist of any genre for 2004. Party hit the street on May 11, 2004, and based on the strength of her smash hit single "
Redneck Woman" the album entered the Top 200 at No 2. The disc debuted on the country album chart at No 1 and camped out there for a record nine consecutive weeks.
"To coin a phrase from 'Field of Dreams,' if you build it, they will come," said Sony Nashville President John Grady. "Gretchen Wilson built it, and it appears that they will be showing up for a long, long time."
"Redneck Woman" shipped to radio March 5, 2004 and spent a record six weeks atop the country singles chart - the longest stay at No 1 for a debut country female since 1964 and the fastest song to reach No 1 on R&R's country chart in the history of the trade. The song was voted "Anthem of the Summer" by billboard.com.
The music industry quickly recognized the genuine talent of the new singer/songwriter and, just a few months into her budding career, the Country Music Association bestowed the prestigious "Horizon Award" on her in November. A week later she took home "Breakthrough Favorite New Artist" (all genres) at the American Music Awards. She wrapped up the year with two Billboard Music Awards and an impressive four Grammy nominations including one for the coveted "Best New Artist."
In addition to awards show appearances, Gretchen quickly became an in-demand television guest with performances on "Leno," "The Today Show," CMA Music Festival special on CBS, in-depth specials on CMT and GAC and others. The final appearance for 2004 was an intimate profile with Ed Bradley on none other than "60 Minutes." CNN has a "People In The News" profile scheduled for mid-February.
Prominent print for the year included ink in Rolling Stone, People, Blender, USA Today (including a full-page photo essay), and covers of Billboard (three times), Country Weekly, Pollstar and Country Music Today Magazine. Entertainment Weekly was one of the first magazines to jump on the bandwagon, when they did a two-page introductory profile on Gretchen.
Subsequent issues included her in their annual "Power List" issue and reviews on her album and DVD compilation. The magazine ranked her No 8 in their Top 12 Entertainers of 2004 in their year-end issue, placing her among the likes of Jon Stewart, Mel Gibson, Prince and the cast of "Desperate Housewives."
Rolling Stone editors ranked Party as one of their Top 50 Records of 2004 in a special year-end issue, writing "her anthem 'Redneck Woman,' with its big 'Hell, yeah!' established her character, and the rest of her debut fulfills its promise and features some amazing singing." People and Time Magazines both listed Here For The Party as a Top 10 music pick for 2004.
Associated Press editor John Gerome and Chicago Sun-Times' Bobby Reed listed the album as their No 2 and No 3 Top 10 country album picks, respectively, and Blender Magazine ranked Party at No 14 on its 50 Greatest CDs of 2004.
Though a media darling, on stage is where Gretchen is most comfortable. She and her 3/4 Ton Band spent much of the year on the road with Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry.
She and her buddies Big & Rich and the Muzik Mafia wrapped up the year with a near 100% sellout arena tour. She will spend much of 2005 opening for Chesney's new tour. Not bad for a 10+ year overnight success from Pocahontas, Illinois.
