Chely Wright

[650AM]

I know the news of her "secret" is several months old, but I just finished reading her book, "Like Me."

So, apparently people in Nashville knew this secret of Chely's for years? Is that what helped her get dumped so quickly by MCA after the big success of "Single White Female?" Or was it just because the follow-up CD was a bomb?

In her book she acts as if it was a secret throughout town during the height of her career.

 

[olebud]

Okay.....I'm out of touch....what's the 'secret"

 

[radiorob2.0]

Okay.....I'm out of touch....what's the 'secret"

She admitted her preference towards women.

One element that was a fly in the ointment of her career was the song "The Bumper of My SUV". The success of the song was hyped when members of her fan club flooded radio stations with request claiming they had family serving overseas and wanted the song dedicated to the family member. It turns out the head of the fan club encouraged members to lie about having family serving in the armed forces as to increase airplay.

 

[650AM]

I remember that, Rob. At that point she was trying desparately to revive her dead career. And now with "coming out," she is trying it again.... maybe she thinks she will attract a new legion of fans "like her."

But if she wants now to be known as a "gay singer" & not a country singer, I think that is a mistake.... especially if the subject overtakes all of her music.

I have every CD she put out and always thought/think she is a great singer. It was just a big shock at how quickly MCA dumped her.... even more quickly, it seems, than when other artists get dropped by labels.

 

[DToTheJ]

She should start touring with Mindy McCready... The "No Longer Relevant, Grasping For Straws And Attention Queens Of Country" tour.

 

[Bengalsfan]

She should start touring with Mindy McCready... The "No Longer Relevant, Grasping For Straws And Attention Queens Of Country" tour.

ha! That was a good one. Or perhaps she will show up on next seasons "Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew"

 

[Mr_Place]

In this case, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been adapted to "Don't Care, Don't Listen."

 

[tubessoundbetter]

lol at DCDL!
Maybe this is the missing link for country radio in 2011:
A "Super-Group" consisting of Chely, Jennifer Nettles, K.D. Lang, and Terri Clark
Bringing Back "Lavender Country" with a Bang!

 

[Bengalsfan]

In this case, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been adapted to "Don't Care, Don't Listen."

That's kinda why country radios ratings are in the toilet to begin with.

It's interesting that all the media called her the first major country music star to come out as being gay. I guess it does not take much to be a major star anymore. If Reba McEntire or Dolly Pardon were to come out as being gay, that would be a major country music star. I don't know if I'd consider Wright to be a major star.

 

[RadioZack]

My favorite memory of Chely Wright was watching her be on the first-ever ride on "The Hangman" at Opryland in 1995, along with a couple of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Cody, and a few other country music personalities. When the coaster came back to the station, everybody got off the ride talking about how awesome it was, except Chely. She immediately ran over to the railing and vomited.

 

[jwk1979]

lol at DCDL!
Maybe this is the missing link for country radio in 2011:
A "Super-Group" consisting of Chely, Jennifer Nettles, K.D. Lang, and Terri Clark
Bringing Back "Lavender Country" with a Bang!

And from what I've heard over the years, Holly Dunn can be added to that group.

 

[firepoint525]

My favorite memory of Chely Wright was watching her be on the first-ever ride on "The Hangman" at Opryland in 1995, along with a couple of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Cody, and a few other country music personalities. When the coaster came back to the station, everybody got off the ride talking about how awesome it was, except Chely. She immediately ran over to the railing and vomited.

Chely was still a no-name back in 1995.

 

[the golden boy]

Is country music homophobic?

 

[RadioZack]

My favorite memory of Chely Wright was watching her be on the first-ever ride on "The Hangman" at Opryland in 1995, along with a couple of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Cody, and a few other country music personalities. When the coaster came back to the station, everybody got off the ride talking about how awesome it was, except Chely. She immediately ran over to the railing and vomited.

Chely was still a no-name back in 1995.

True. But it was her. I also remember her performing at Summer Lights that year. So, no-name: yes. Active: also yes.

 

[firepoint525]

My favorite memory of Chely Wright was watching her be on the first-ever ride on "The Hangman" at Opryland in 1995, along with a couple of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Cody, and a few other country music personalities. When the coaster came back to the station, everybody got off the ride talking about how awesome it was, except Chely. She immediately ran over to the railing and vomited.

Chely was still a no-name back in 1995.

True. But it was her. I also remember her performing at Summer Lights that year. So, no-name: yes. Active: also yes.

Right, I didn't say it wasn't her. Many performers got their start out at Opryland, so I absolutely believe it was her. I didn't become aware of her until around 1997.

This is why the closing of Opryland was such a loss. Who ever got their start performing at Opry Mills? And I think that Opryland would have been able to rebuild following the flood. They had already survived the flood back in the '70s.

 

[sweet sour Jerry]

My favorite memory of Chely Wright was watching her be on the first-ever ride on "The Hangman" at Opryland in 1995, along with a couple of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Cody, and a few other country music personalities. When the coaster came back to the station, everybody got off the ride talking about how awesome it was, except Chely. She immediately ran over to the railing and vomited.

Chely was still a no-name back in 1995.

True. But it was her. I also remember her performing at Summer Lights that year. So, no-name: yes. Active: also yes.

Right, I didn't say it wasn't her. Many performers got their start out at Opryland, so I absolutely believe it was her. I didn't become aware of her until around 1997.

This is why the closing of Opryland was such a loss. Who ever got their start performing at Opry Mills? And I think that Opryland would have been able to rebuild following the flood. They had already survived the flood back in the '70s.

not to get off on a tangent...but...a lot of the newer acts that make it today come from "investing" in the act to the the record label... as Limbaugh always said, follow the money... I don't know how a new talented act makes it with out an investor to prop them up with big dollars....there has always been investing in new acts, but not at this current dollar level....big bucks Daddy can make his little girl a star!

 

[onetake]

One of the more fasinating chapters in her book is the way John Rich and Sean Hannity handled her after the lesbian rumors started and the distancing of them from her afterwards. She discovered who her true friends were. Country music biz according to John Rich is Republican/Christian and any lifestyle that doesn't match those boundaries is therefore not welcome.

I'm not starting a "let's talk about Belmont commentary" with that one but isn't it funny how missing a gig due to intoxication never got someone banned from the "country image network
not extra marital affairs...John Rich is quoted as repeating word from Music Row execs that the standards start and end the gay/lesbian issue ... other lifestyle variations that the core audience swear by not a factor.

None of this is breaking news. Oprah Winfrey gave her a full hour some time ago and the book is well written with any real grudge or "get even" tone with those who she thought were her friends that tuned on her.