Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2008, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Chely Wright, which she submitted to this site on Monday 6 October 2008.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Chely Wright who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Chely Wright
This quote was submitted on Monday 6 October 2008.
‘Gene Watson is one of the reasons I fell in love with country music.
I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Gene over the years and he is truly special…as a singer and as a person.
One of my favourite tours of all time was with Gene and his band.
We toured Japan and I watched his part of the show every night.
It was as clear then, as it is today, that Gene Watson is one of the best voices to ever sing a country song’
Thank you, Chely Wright, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Chely Wright…
Chely Wright was born Sunday 25 October 1970 in Wellsville, Kansas and grew up in a family with four generations of musicians.
Chely Wright was fascinated by her family’s record collection, which included material from artists such as Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), Connie Smith, Wanda Jackson, Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993).
Chely Wright started singing in bands at the age of eleven and, within a few years, had formed her own band called County Line. The Summer before her senior year in high school, Chely Wright went to Branson, Missouri where she landed a job in The Ozark Jubilee, a long-running country show, whose alumni included Brenda Lee and Red Foley (Friday 17 June 1910 – Thursday 19 September 1968).
Chely Wright’s grandfather encouraged her to audition for a job in a musical production at Opryland Theme Park, a job that she acquired. Chely Wright took her final exams a week early and moved to Nashville.
While in Nashville, Chely Wright interned and attended writers’ nights, while honing her singing and song-writing.
Harold Shedd, whose production credits included Alabama, signed Chely Wright to Mercury Records / Polygram Records.
On Tuesday 9 August 1994, Chely Wright saw the release of her debut album, ‘Woman In The Moon’ (Polydor Nashville Records, 1994), which was produced by Barry Beckett and Harold Shedd, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘He’s A Good Ole Boy’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.58, 1994) / the track also reached No.55 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Til I Was Loved By You’ (written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson) (No.48, 1994) / the track also reached No.66 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Sea of Cowboy Hats’ (written by Jimmy Melton, Dale Dodson and Chely Wright) (No.56, 1995) / the track also reached No.74 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
Chely Wright’s debut album, ‘Woman In The Moon’ (Polydor Nashville Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘Til All Her Tears Are Dry’ (written by Jim Rushing and Chely Wright)
‘Go On & Go’ (written by Dale Dodson and Chely Wright)
‘Woman In The Moon’ (written by J. Fred Knobloch and Gary Scruggs)
‘I Love You Enough To Let You Go’, which was written by Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023), Gary Nicholson and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989)
‘Nobody But A Fool’ (written by Bill Anderson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Connie Smith, who included it on ‘Miss Smith Goes To Nashville’ (RCA Victor Records, 1966); Connie Smith‘s version of the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘He Don’t Do Bars Anymore’ (written by Dale Dodson, Jimmy Melton and Chely Wright)
‘The Last Supper’ (written by Dale Dodson, Jimmy Melton and Chely Wright)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s debut album, ‘Woman In The Moon’ (Polydor Nashville Records, 1994), included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums, percussion)
Barry Beckett (keyboards)
Glen Duncan and Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Owen Hale (drums)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) (steel guitar)
Don Potter (acoustic guitar)
Brent Rowan (mandolin, electric guitar)
John Wesley Ryles, Harry Stinson, Cindy Richardson Walker, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
Chely Wright (background vocals, lead vocals)
Although Chely Wright’s singles initially did not crack the Billboard country music Top 40 singles chart, Chely Wright was named ‘Top New Female Vocalist’ in 1994 by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Judy Bailey recorded Chely Wright’s ‘Crying Room Only’, which was co-written with Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) and Lonnie Williams, and included the track on ‘I’ve Never Seen It Rain’ (Hawk Records, 1994); the album was produced by Mike Headrick and Lonnie Williams.
Judy Bailey recorded Chely Wright’s ‘In The Name of Loneliness’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘I’ve Never Seen It Rain’ (Hawk Records, 1994); the album was produced by Mike Headrick and Lonnie Williams.
On Tuesday 9 January 1996, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Right In The Middle of It’ (Polydor Records, 1996), which was produced by Ed Seay and Harold Shedd; the album included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Listenin’ To The Radio’ (written by Sunny Russ and Stephony Smith) (No.66, 1995) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1995
‘The Love That We Lost’ (written by Gary Burr and Monty Powell) (No.41, 1996) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1996
‘The Love He Left Behind’ (written by Steven Dale Jones and Bobby Tomberlin) / this track was released as a single in 1996, but it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in the United States, or in Canada
Chely Wright’s ‘Right In The Middle of It’ (Polydor Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘Heart Shaped World’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Bob DiPiero and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Right In The Middle of It’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘What I Learned From Loving You’ (written by James Brown and Russell Smith) / the original version of this track was recorded by Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015), who included the track on ‘Back’ (Permian Records, 1983); Lynn Anderson‘s version of ‘What I Learned From Loving You’ reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Alligator Purse’ (written by Nick Pellegrino and Kenya Slaughter Walker)
‘The Other Woman’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Day One’ (written by Marv Green and Wendell Mobley)
‘It’s Not Too Late’ (written by Tracy Byrd, Bill Rice and Sharon Rice)
‘Gotta Get Good At Givin’ Again’ (written by Chely Wright)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Right In The Middle of It’ (Polydor Records, 1996) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Larry Byrom and Dann Huff (electric guitar)
Butch Carr (triangle)
Joe Chemay (bass)
Tod Culross, Mitch Shedd, Jimmy Stewart and Russ Zavitson (clapping)
Cindy Fee, Anthony Martin, Wendell Mobley, John Wesley Ryles, Cindy Richardson Walker, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Larry Franklin (fiddle, mandolin)
Paul Franklin (Dobro, steel guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (hammond organ, piano, synthesizer, wurlitzer)
Mark Lambert (programming)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Ed Seay (acoustic guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Chely Wright (background vocals, lead vocals)
In 1996, Chely Wright sought out both a new record label and a new producer; Chely Wright hooked up with MCA Records and producer Tony Brown. Chely Wright asked to be released from her contract with Mercury Records and subsequently signed with MCA Records.
On Tuesday 9 September 1997, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Records, 1997), her first album to chart on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, which was produced by Tony Brown, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Shut Up & Drive’ (written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate) (No.14, 1997) / this track also reached No.21 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1997
‘Just Another Heartache’ (written by Ed Hill and Mark D. Sanders) (No.39, 1998) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
‘I Already Do’ (written by Gary Burr and Chely Wright) (No.36, 1998) / this track also reached No.59 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
Chely Wright’s ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Records, 1997) also included the following tracks:
‘Your Woman Misses Her Man’ (written by Ed Hill, Mark D. Sanders and Chely Wright)
‘Let Me In’ (written by Deanna Bryant)
‘Emma Jean’s Guitar’ (written by Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna and Gary Harrison)
‘Is It Love Yet’ (written by Kostas and Chely Wright)
‘Before You Lie’ (written by Gary Burr and Bob McDill)
‘Feelin’ Single, Seein’ Double’, which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015)
’10 lb. Heart’ (written by Nick Pellegrino and Kenya Walker)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Records, 1997) included the following:
Bob Bailey, Matraca Berg, Gary Burr, Kim Fleming, Vince Gill, Vicki Hampton, Kostas, John Wesley Ryles, Harry Stinson and Trisha Yearwood (background vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Tony Brown (piano)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin)
Paul Franklin (pedabro, steel guitar)
Steve Gibson and Brent Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
John Jarvis (piano, electric piano)
Steve Nathan (hammond organ, synthesizer)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Matt Rollings (keyboards, piano, hammond organ)
Stewart Smith (electric guitar)
Robby Turner (dobro, steel guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
Chely Wright (lead vocals, background vocals)
Chely Wright’s ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Records, 1997) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1997, and No.23 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums / CDs Chart in 1998.
On Tuesday 18 May 1999, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Single White Female’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1999), which was produced by Tony Brown, Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Single White Female’ (written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shaye Smith) (No.1 for one week in September 1999) / this track also reached No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999, and also reached No.1 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘It Was’ (written by Gary Burr and Mark Wright) (No.11, 1999) / this track also reached No.52 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘She Went Out for Cigarettes’ (written by Ronnie Guilbeau and John McElroy) (No.49, 2000) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 2000
Chely Wright’s ‘Single White Female’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1999) also included the following tracks:
‘Unknown’ (written by Gary Burr and Aimee Mayo)
‘The Love That We Lost’ (written by Gary Burr and Monty Powell) / this track is a re-recording of a Chely Wright single from 1996 / the original version of this track was included on Chely Wright’s ‘Right In The Middle of It’ (Polydor Records, 1996), and reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, and No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1996
‘The Fire’ (written by Clarence ‘Satch’ Satchell and Leslie Satcher)
‘Picket Fences’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Some Kind of Somethin’ (written by Sunny Russ and Chely Wright)
‘Rubbin’ it In’ (written by Chad Smith)
‘Why Do I Still Want You’ (written by Leslie Satcher)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Single White Female’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1999) included the following:
Pat Buchanan (electric guitar)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Stuart Duncan and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin, background vocals)
Dan Dugmore (acoustic slide guitar, steel guitar)
Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Melonie Cannon and Trisha Yearwood (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (Hammond B-3 Organ, keyboards)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (percussion)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Matt Rollings (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards)
Robby Turner (steel guitar)
John Wills (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar, background vocals)
Chely Wright (lead vocals)
Chely Wright’s ‘Single White Female’ (MCA Records, 1999) reached No.15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1999, No.124 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, and No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums / CD’s Chart in 1999.
In June 2001, Chely Wright joined Diamond Rio on the track ‘I’m Trying’ (written by Darrell Scott and Tia Sillers), which was included on the group’s ‘One More Day’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2001).
Brad Paisley recorded Chely Wright’s ‘Come On Over Tonight’ (co-written with Brad Paisley) and included the track on ‘Part II’ (Arista Records, 2001).
On Tuesday 25 September 2001, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Never Love You Enough’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2001), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Never Love You Enough’ (written by Brett James, Angelo Petraglia and Dann Huff) (No.26, 2001)
‘Jezebel’ (written by Marcus Hummon, Jay DeMarcus – bass guitarist for the group Rascal Flatts – Paul Worley and Chely Wright) (No.23, 2001)
Chely Wright’s ‘Never Love You Enough’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘One Night In Las Vegas’ (written by Chely Wright and Brad Paisley) / this track featured background vocals from Brad Paisley
‘While I Was Waiting’ (written by Roxie Dean and Gordon Bradberry)
‘What If We Fly’ (written by Mark Selby and Tia Sillers)
‘Wouldn’t It Be Cool’ (written by Chely Wright and Dean Brown) / this track featured background vocals from Trisha Yearwood
‘Her’ (written by Leslie Satcher)
‘Love Didn’t Listen’ (written by Wendell Mobley and Stephany Delray)
‘For The Long Run’, which was written by Pat Alger and Bat McGrath (Wednesday 17 October 1945 – Tuesday 1 October 2019) / this track featured background vocals from Phil Vassar
‘Horoscope’ (written by Chely Wright and Brad Paisley)
‘Not As In Love’ (written by Chely Wright, Brad Paisley and Tim Nichols) / this track featured background vocals from Brad Paisley
‘Deep Down Low’ (written by Chely Wright)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Never Love You Enough’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2001) included the following:
‘Never Love You Enough’
Mike Brignardello (bass guitar)
Lisa Cochran (background vocals)
Dann Huff and Jerry McPherson (electric guitar)
Mike Johnson (steel guitar)
B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar)
Chris McHugh (drums)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Chris Rodriguez (background vocals)
‘Jezebel’
Barry Bales, Wes Hightower, Troy Johnson, Dan Tyminski and Chely Wright (background vocals)
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (electric guitar)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano, Hammond B-3 organ)
David Huff (programming)
Marcus Hummon (acoustic guitar, background vocals)
Paul Leim (drums)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Darrell Scott (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, background vocals)
‘One Night In Las Vegas’
Jim Brown (piano, keyboards, strings)
Kevin Grantt (bass guitar)
Wes Hightower and Troy Johnson (background vocals)
Mike Johnson (steel guitar)
Mitch McMichen (percussion)
Brad Paisley (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals)
Ben Sesar (drums)
Justin Williamson (fiddle, mandolin)
‘While I Was Waiting’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Stuart Duncan (mandolin)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar)
Wes Hightower and Liana Manis (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Matt Rollings (keyboards)
John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘What If We Fly’
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) and Paul Worley (electric guitar)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Wes Hightower and Troy Johnson (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
David Huff (programming)
Marcus Hummon and Darrell Scott (acoustic guitar)
Paul Leim (drums)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
‘Wouldn’t It Be Cool’
Pat Buchanan and Steve Gibson (electric guitar)
Melonie Cannon, Garnet Imes and Trisha Yearwood (background vocals)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Dan Dugmore (12-string electric guitar)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
Matt Rollings (keyboards)
John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Her’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar)
Wes Hightower (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Matt Rollings (keyboards)
Nashville String Machine (strings)
John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Love Didn’t Listen’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar)
Wes Hightower and Wendell Mobley (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
John Jorgenson (electric guitar)
Steve Nathan (Hammond B-3 organ)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘For The Long Run’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Steve Gibson and John Jorgenson (electric guitar)
Wes Hightower, Liana Manis and Phil Vassar (background vocals)
John Barlow Jarvis and Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Nashville String Machine (strings)
John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Horoscope’
Jim Brown (piano, Hammond B-3 organ)
Shannon Brown, Wes Hightower, Troy Johnson, Kendal Marcy, Kris Marcy and Chely Wright (background vocals)
Kevin Grantt (bass guitar)
Mike Johnson (steel guitar)
Mitch McMichen (percussion)
Brad Paisley (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, resophonic guitar)
Ben Sesar (drums)
Justin Williamson (fiddle, mandolin)
‘Not As In Love’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar)
Wes Hightower and Brad Paisley (background vocals)
John Barlow Jarvis (piano)
John Jorgenson (acoustic guitar, mandocello)
Nashville String Machine (strings)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Deep Down Low’
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Chip Davis (background vocals)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
John Jorgenson (electric guitar)
Steve Nathan (Hammond B-3 organ)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
In 2002, Chely Wright departed from the recording roster at MCA Nashville Records.
Clay Walker recorded Chely Wright’s ‘I Can’t Sleep’ (co-written with Clay Walker) and included the track on ‘A Few Questions’ (RCA Records, 2003).
On Tuesday 23 September 2003, Chely Wright saw the release, via MCA Nashville Records, of ’20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Chely Wright’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2003), a compilation album, containing twelve tracks of original material which Chely Wright had recorded for two separate record labels between 1994 and 2001: Polygram Records / Mercury Records (1994 – 1996) and MCA Nashville Records (1997 – 2001):
‘Til I Was Loved By You’ (written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson) (No.48, 1994) / this track also reached No.66 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Sea of Cowboy Hats’ (written by Jimmy Melton, Dale Dodson and Chely Wright) (No.56, 1995) / this track also reached No.74 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
‘Listenin’ To The Radio’ (written by Sunny Russ and Stephony Smith) (No.66, 1995) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1995
‘Shut Up & Drive’ (written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate) (No.14, 1997) / this track also reached No.21 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1997
‘I Already Do’ (written by Gary Burr and Chely Wright) (No.36, 1998) / this track also reached No.59 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
‘Just Another Heartache’ (written by Ed Hill and Mark D. Sanders) (No.39, 1998) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
‘Single White Female’ (written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shaye Smith) (No.1 for one week in September 1999) / this track also reached No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999, and reached No.1 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘She Went Out For Cigarettes’ (written by Ronnie Guilbeau and John McElroy) (No.49, 2000) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 2000
‘It Was’ (written by Gary Burr and Mark Wright) (No.11, 1999) / this track also reached No.52 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘The Love That We Lost’ (written by Gary Burr and Monty Powell) (No.41, 1996) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1996
‘Never Love You Enough’ (written by Brett James, Angelo Petraglia and Dann Huff) (No.26, 2001)
‘Jezebel’ (written by Marcus Hummon, Jay DeMarcus (bass guitarist for the group Rascal Flatts), Paul Worley and Chely Wright) (No.23, 2001)
In January 2004, Chely Wright signed with Vivaton Records, a new independent record label. An album release, however, never materialised.
In June 2004, Chely Wright split from Vivaton Records. Once again, without a record label, Chely Wright nevertheless released a single, ‘Bumper of My SUV’ (written by Chely Wright), in late 2004, which was mostly available online and various radio stations.
‘Bumper of My SUV’ was written by Chely Wright following an altercation with an irate woman who noticed the United States Marine Corps bumper sticker on the back of Chely Wright’s car.
The success of ‘Bumper of My SUV’, which reached No.54 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2004, prompted Chely Wright to start Painted Red Music Group, her own record / publishing company.
On Tuesday 26 October 2004, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Everything’ (Painted Red Music Group, 2004), an extended play (EP) disc, which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Back of The Bottom Drawer’ (written by Liz Rose and Chely Wright) (No.40, 2004)
Chely Wright’s ‘Everything’ (Painted Red Music Group, 2004) also included the following tracks:
‘Everything’ (written by Gary Burr and Chely Wright)
‘Love Lets Go’ (written by Chely Wright) / this track was a home studio demo
‘Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll’ (written by Gary Burr and Chely Wright) / this track was a home studio demo
‘If I Were Jackie’ (written by Michael Mobley and Chely Wright) / this track was a home studio demo
‘Scars’ (written by Chely Wright) / this track was a home studio demo
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Everything’ (Painted Red Music Group, 2004) included the following:
Kelly Back and Jeff King (electric guitar)
Jimmy Carter (bass guitar)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Shannon Forrest and Chris McHugh (drums)
Larry Franklin and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)
Jeff Huskins (gut string guitar)
Gordon Mote and Mike Rojas (piano)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Scotty Sanders (pedal steel guitar)
Bryan Sutton and John Willis (acoustic guitar)
Chely Wright (piano, lead vocals, background vocals)
Chely Wright’s ‘Everything’ (Painted Red Music Group, 2004) was initially available exclusively through Chely Wright’s official website at chely.com and was later made available in many retail outlets, including Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy.
The success of Chely Wright’s ‘Everything’ (Painted Red Music Group, 2004) led to Chely Wright being signed to Dualtone Records.
On Tuesday 22 February 2005, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘The Metropolitan Hotel’ (Dualtone Records, 2005), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Bumper of My SUV’ (written by Chely Wright) (No.35, 2005)
Chely Wright’s ‘The Metropolitan Hotel’ (Dualtone Records, 2005) also included the following tracks:
‘It’s The Song’ (written by Bonnie Baker and Katrina Elam)
‘Back of The Bottom Drawer’ (written by Liz Rose and Chely Wright)
‘I Got Him Ready For You’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘The River’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Just The Way We Do It’ (written by Brett Beavers and Chely Wright)
‘Your Shirt’ (written by Lisa Drew and Pound Lamb)
‘Between A Mother & A Child’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Southside of Lonesome’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Wheels’ (written by Stephony Smith and Chely Wright)
‘C’est La Vie (You Never CanTell)’, which was written by Chuck Berry (Monday 18 October 1926 – Saturday 18 March 2017)
‘What If I Can’t Say No Again’ (written by Ed Hill, David Frasier and Josh Kear)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘The Metropolitan Hotel’ (Dualtone Records, 2005) included the following:
Steve Brewster and Shannon Forrest (drums)
Tom Bukovac, Jeff King, James T. Olsen and Michael Hart Thompson (electric guitar)
Jimmy Carter, Mark Hill and Sean Hurley (bass guitar)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Chip Davis, Vince Gill and Emily West (background vocals)
Stuart Duncan and Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin)
Tony Harrell (keyboards)
Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)
Travis Javis (piano)
Chris McHugh and Greg Morrow (drums)
Gordon Mote (piano, keyboards)
Russ Pahl and Scotty Sanders (steel guitar)
Billy Panda, Bryan Sutton and John D. Willis (acoustic guitar)
Chely Wright (lead vocals)
Nashville String Machine (strings on ‘Back of The Bottom Drawer’ and ‘The River’; conducted and arranged by Steve W. Maldin)
Jonathan Yudkin (strings on ‘Between A Mother & A Child’)
In October 2008, Surrey, England-based Hump Head Country released ‘Chely Wright – The Ultimate Collection’ (Hump Head Country, 2008), a generous twenty-track compilation of Chely Wright’s finest cuts, including the following:
‘Sea of Cowboy Hats’ (written by Jimmy Melton, Dale Dodson and Chely Wright) (No.56, 1995) / this track also reached No.74 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
‘Til I Was Loved By You’ (written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson) (No.48, 1994) / this track also reached No.66 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘He’s A Good Ole Boy’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.58, 1994) / this track also reached No.55 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Til All Her Tears are Dry’ (written by Jim Rushing and Chely Wright) / this track was an album track from 1994
‘The Love That We Lost’ (written by Gary Burr and Monty Powell) (No.41, 1996) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1996
‘Listenin’ To The Radio’ (written by Sunny Russ and Stephony Smith) (No.66, 1995) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1995
‘Alligator Purse’ (written by Nick Pellegrino and Kenya Slaughter Walker) / this track was an album track from 1996
‘Just Another Heartache’ (written by Ed Hill and Mark D. Sanders) (No.39, 1998) / this track also reached No.51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
‘I Already Do’ (written by Gary Burr and Chely Wright) (No.36, 1998) / this track also reached No.59 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1998
‘Let Me In’ (written by Deanna Bryant) / this track was an album track from 1997
‘Shut Up & Drive’ (written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate) (No.14, 1997) / this track also reached No.21 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart in 1997
‘Feelin’ Single, Seein’ Double’, which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015) / this track was an album track from 1997
‘Single White Female’ (written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shaye Smith) (No.1 for one week in September 1999) / this track also reached No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999, and No.1 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘It Was’ (written by Gary Burr and Mark Wright) (No.11, 1999) / this track also reached No.52 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 1999
‘The Fire’ (written by Clarence ‘Satch’ Satchell and Leslie Satcher) / this track was an album track from 1999
‘She Went Out For Cigarettes’ (written by Ronnie Guilbeau and John McElroy) (No.49, 2000) / this track also reached No.84 on the Canadian Country Tracks Chart in 2000
‘One Night In Las Vegas’ (written by Chely Wright and Brad Paisley) / this track, which featured background vocals from Brad Paisley, was an album track from 2001
‘Deep Down Low’ (written by Chely Wright) / this track was an album track from 2001
‘Never Love You Enough’ (written by Brett James, Angelo Petraglia and Dann Huff) (No.26, 2001)
‘Jezebel’ (written by Marcus Hummon, Jay DeMarcus (bass guitarist for the group Rascal Flatts), Paul Worley and Chely Wright) (No.23, 2001)
On Friday 30 April 2010, Chely Wright saw the release of ‘Lifted Off The Ground’ (Vanguard Records / EMI Records, 2010), which coincided with the release of her first memoir, ‘Like Me: Confessions of A Heartland Country Singer’.
Within two weeks of the release of Chely Wright’s ‘Lifted Off The Ground’ (Vanguard Records / EMI Records, 2010), her first memoir, ‘Like Me: Confessions of A Heartland Country Singer’, was estimated to have sold nearly 6,000 copies.
Chely Wright’s ‘Lifted Off The Ground’ (Vanguard Records / EMI Records, 2010), which was produced by Rodney Crowell, included the following tracks:
‘Broken’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Heavenly Days’ (written by Chely Wright and Rodney Crowell)
‘Hang Out In Your Heart’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Notes To The Coroner’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Snow Globe’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Like Me’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘That Train’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Damn Liar’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Wish Me Away’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Object of Your Rejection’ (written by Chely Wright)
‘Shadows of Doubt’ (written by Chely Wright)
Personnel involved in the recording of Chely Wright’s ‘Lifted Off The Ground’ (Vanguard Records / EMI Records, 2010) included the following:
Rodney Crowell and Chris Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, background vocals)
Micol Davis, Tanya Hancheroff, Jeremy Lister and Cheryl White (background vocals)
John Ferraro and Chris McHugh (drums)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards, organ)
Jedd Hughes (acoustic guitar, electric slide guitar)
John Jorgenson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, gut string guitar, mandolin, piano)
Will Kimbrough (acoustic guitar, acoustic slide guitar)
Tim Lauer (electric piano, keyboards, organ, piano, pump organ)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018) (acoustic guitar)
Kenny Vaughan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Chely Wright (acoustic guitar, lead vocals)
Jonathan Yudkin (cello, violin, viola)
On Saturday 25 June 2011, the gritty Chely Wright movie, ‘Wish Me Away’, won the Los Angeles Film Festival’s ‘Best Documentary Award’.
• Visit Chely Wright’s official site at chely.com