On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, Suite101 was afforded the privilege to speak with country star Gretchen Wilson. Throughout her country music career, Gretchen Wilson has won multiple accolades including a Grammy award for her smash-hit "Redneck Woman," and was crowned "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association (CMA) in 2005.

Gretchen Wilson Talks Country Music and Influences

Gretchen Wilson is drawn to country music due to "its honesty" as well as the ability to relate to the lyrics. "Country music speaks to the average Joe; the average hard-working everyday American," says Wilson.

Growing up in a small town in Pocahontas, Illinois, Wilson has been influenced by "everything from hard rock and roll to very traditional country. Anything from George Jones, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn, to Led Zeppelin, Heart, Foreigner and Journey."

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