Chely Wright

Wright was signed to a publishing deal as a songwriter, which helped secure a recording contract as a recording artist with PolyGram/Mercury Records in 1993.[1] Wright chose to keep her sexuality hidden from her record label and buying public, a theme which continued throughout her commercial career.[19] She collaborated on her first album with Nashville producer, Harold Shedd. In a mutual agreement, Shedd agreed that Wright's persona would not be centered around being "a [music] video babe," but instead regarded for her artistic work as a country music artist.[20] In 1994, Wright's debut studio album was released through the label titled Woman in the Moon. The album would receive critical acclaim, despite limited success.[1] The project spawned three singles ("He's a Good Ole Boy," "Till I Was Loved by You" and "Sea of Cowboy Hats") that all peaked outside the top 40 of the Billboard country chart.[21] The album helped Wright win Top New Female Vocalist at the 1995 Academy of Country Music Awards. Wright recalled in her memoir that she had low expectations of winning and was shocked to receive the accolade. "I had not prepared a speech for that night, but I'd been rehearsing one since I was a little girl," she commented.[22]

In 1996, Wright released her second album titled Right in the Middle of It.[1] According to Wright, songs for the project were chosen carefully, even if they strayed from a traditional country sound. The album was produced by Ed Seay, along with Harold Shedd. At the time of its release, PolyGram/Mercury was hopeful of its success. The album had sold 42,000 copies in its initial release and its first music video had regular airtime on Country Music Television.[23] Yet, the album was unsuccessful.[1] Only two of its three singles charted on the Billboard country chart. Its highest-peaking single was 1996's "The Love That We Lost," which reached the top 50.[21] Right in the Middle of It received acclaim from critics. Allmusic's Charlotte Dillon rated the project at four and a half stars, praising Wright's vocals and the album's mix of material.[24] With her lack of success, Wright was given permission to leave her contract with PolyGram/Mercury and she began exploring new options for commercial stardom.[15]

Free from her previous record label, Wright made several changes to her career. She began working with a new manager (Clarence Spalding) and a publicist (Wes Vause), who helped secure her a contract with MCA Records Nashville. Wright then contacted producer Tony Brown, who had previously made hit albums with Reba McEntire and Wynonna. Brown agreed to work with her and together they recorded her third album.[25] In 1997, Let Me In, was released on MCA.[1] According to Brown, the album's material was backed by a simplified arrangement to help amplify Wright's vocal performance.[26] It received a four star rating from Thom Owens at Allmusic who highlighted its "clean acoustic arrangements." Owens also called it her "most accomplished and arguably best album to date."[27] Meanwhile Brian Wahlert of Country Standard Time gave it a less favorable response, finding some of the material to be fillers rather than quality music.[28] Let Me In was her first to reach the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, peaking at number 25 and spent 44 weeks there.[29][30] It was also her first to enter the Billboard 200 where it charted for seven weeks.[31] The album spawned Wright's first major hit, "Shut Up and Drive."[1] The single peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 21 on the RPM Country chart in Canada.[32][33] The album's next two singles would reach the Billboard country top 40.[21]

In 1999, Wright recorded her next song release, titled "Single White Female." Once the recording was completed, producers Tony Brown, Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, believed the song could be a hit.[34] The song would eventually reach number one on the Billboard country chart and the RPM country chart.[21][33] Wright celebrated the number one on the road with fellow band members, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney (both of whom would later form Rascal Flatts).[35] One month later, MCA celebrated by throwing Wright a "Number One Party" where she invited numerous guests inside and outside the music industry.[36] The song was followed-up by another major hit, "It Was," which reached number 11 on the American country chart.[21] The same year, Wright's fourth studio album of the same name was released.[1] It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard country albums chart and number 16 on Canada's country albums chart.[37] The album would eventually sell 500,000 copies and certify gold in sales from the Recording Industry Association of America.[38] Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the studio effort, calling it "a welcome addition to an already impressive catalog."[39] Bill Friskics-Warren of The Washington Post noted that despite its country pop production, the record "hangs together as a sustained--and fairly compelling--song cycle about one woman's search for intimacy."[40]

In the fall of 2000, Wright began choosing songs for her upcoming fifth studio album. She composed the songs by herself, with help from Tim Nichols and Brad Paisley. Wright also served as the opening act on Paisley's 2000 tour.[1][41] The pair would also record a duet that would later be nominated for an accolade by the Country Music Association.[42] The two would also become romantically involved during this time, all while Wright remained in a closeted relationship with a woman.[43] In 2001, Never Love You Enough was released on MCA. Following on the heels of her previous release, the album was a chart success,[1] climbing to number four on the Top Country Albums chart and number 62 on the Billboard 200.[44][45] Yet its two singles only reached the top 30 of the Billboard chart. Its highest-charting hit was "Jezebel," which reached number 23.[21] The album received mixed reception from critics. Michael Gallucci called it a "conservative follow-up,"[46] while Country Standard Time called it, "a pleasant pop album, but hardly the sort of truly memorable work that Wright is so obviously capable of."[47]

In 2001, Wright embarked on "The Coca-Cola Hometown Hero Tour," a 30-date set of concerts and presented at the CMT Music Awards. She also made her acting debut the same year in the Disney film, Max Keeble's Big Move. Wright was cast as the main character's homeroom teacher.[48] In 2002, Wright won the "Fashion Plate Award" from the CMT Flameworthy Awards[49] She would also be rated among People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" during this time as well.[50] In 2002, she recorded a song for the soundtrack of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and was asked to be the "guest of honor" at Disney World.[51] In 2003, Wright left MCA Records.[1]

After leaving MCA, Wright co-wrote Clay Walker's top ten hit, "I Can't Sleep".[52] She also moved her recording career towards an independent direction. In 2004, she signed with the independent label, Vivaton, and also changed management. Her first Vivaton release was the 2004 single, "Back of the Bottom Drawer."[53] The song peaked at number 40 on the Billboard country chart.[54] Despite an intended album release, Wright exited Vivaton one month later, citing creative differences with label CEO, Jeff Huskins.[55] Instead, she independently-released an extended play titled Everything.[1] In late 2004, Wright released the self-penned single, "The Bumper of My SUV."[56] She was inspired to write the song following a road-rage incident in which another driver was angry that Wright had a Marine Corps bumper sticker on her car.[57] Following its release to radio, members of Wright's fan club were accused of calling radio stations, falsely portraying military people to help it gain airplay.[58] The conflict caused the single to be re-released in 2005 and it eventually peaked at number 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.[21] In 2005, she released her sixth album, The Metropolitan Hotel. Released on the independent Dualtone label, the project incorporated acoustic material with contemporary country.[59] It reached number 18 on the Billboard country albums chart and number 96 on the Billboard 200.[60][61] Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine concluded that it was "her best and most complete album to date."[59] No Depression found the album to have a "tough" and "assertive edge."[62]

Wright in concert, 2014.

Wright then went into a career hiatus after deciding to publicly come out to her record-buying public.[1][63][64] She started writing material which would later make up her next studio release titled Lifted Off the Ground.[1] She brought the album's material to artist and producer, Rodney Crowell,[65] who encouraged Wright to record it.[66] The album's sound contained a simpler arrangement that was comparable to folk music. It also contained material that alluded to her lesbian identity, particularly the track, "Like Me."[66][67] The album reached number 32 on the Top Country Albums chart and 200th position on the Billboard 200.[68][69] The record and her corresponding memoir were released both on May 4, 2010.[64] Reflecting on the experience, Wright told Newsweek, "I really do feel lifted off the ground. I have no secret now. I feel like I'm floating. I'm so proud to be standing where I am today."[70] Lifted Off the Ground received four stars from Thom Jurek of Allmusic who cited Crowell's production and Wright's songwriting as the reasons for its success.[66] Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times believed Wright could have challenged the country music establishment more rather than "tread lighty" in her songwriting material.[71]

With the exception of a guest appearance on a Rodney Crowell album, Wright took a five-year break from music.[72][73] During her hiatus, she re-married, started a family and dedicated additional time to LGBT activism. "I realize the power I had that I didn’t know I had," Wright said in response to her hiatus.[74] Yet, she continued songwriting and brought new material to Crowell, who got her in contact with producer Joe Henry. Henry agreed to produce her and Wright formed a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the record. In 2016, she released I Am the Rain. The album featured collaborations with Crowell, Emmylou Harris and The Milk Carton Kids. It was considered a departure from her previous records, with roots centered in the Americana genre.[75][76][77] I Am the Rain was her highest-charting album in ten years, reaching number 13 on the Billboard country albums list.[78] It also reached number 181 on the Billboard 200.[79] I Am the Rain received a positive response from Slate magazine, who compared the project to that of Carole King's Tapestry.[80] Allmusic's Marcey Donelson positively commented that the album had an "intimate tone."[73]

In 2018, Wright released the extended play titled Santa Will Find You!. The album was a collection of Christmas songs, two of which had previously appeared on Mindy Smith's project, My Holiday. The album's release was followed by a ten-day holiday concert tour that began in Decatur, Georgia.[81] In March 2019, she released her third extended play, Revival.[1] The five-song EP was produced by Jeremy Lister, who also performed on the record's lead single, "Say the Word."[82] In August 2019, Wright returned to the stage of The Grand Ole Opry after a decade-long absence. Her last invitation to play the venue had been before publicly coming out in 2010.[83]

Wright's musical style is rooted in country, but also in the genres of Americana and country-folk.[84][73] Wright's early musical style was built on a traditional country platform. Roughstock called her first two albums with PolyGram/Mercury to be "traditional," while also incorporating quality songwriting material.[85] Critics have noted that Wright's MCA albums incorporated more contemporary styles, while also including the traditional country from her PolyGram days. Thom Owens of Allmusic found that 1997's Let Me In had "clean acoustic arrangements" and "only a few cuts [were] adorned with pop/rock instrumentation."[27] Stephen Thomas Erlewine observed a similar trend with 1999's Single White Female: "The record picks up where its predecessor left off, offering a selection of ten songs with clean, tasteful arrangements that place Wright in the forefront...Even when Wright and Brown shoot for the charts, they pull it off, since Chely never oversings and the instrumentation is never bombastic."[39]

With 2005's The Metropolitan Hotel, Wright stated that she made more of an effort to shift towards Americana. However, she also felt the need to mix in radio-friendly styles, according to a 2019 interview.[84] In a similar vein, Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that she had not "completely abandoned the sound of contemporary country-pop," but also had "stripped-back and direct" songs.[59] Wright's musical sound moved further away from contemporary country sounds into the Americana format. Music journalists, such as Stephen L. Betts observed her Americana transition in 2016's I Am the Rain. In the same 2019 article, Wright explained that her style remains anchored to country roots despite an Americana feel: "I want to be an artist that can be 60 years old sitting on stage at the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame telling stories and singing songs that would be appropriate for a 60-year-old woman".[86]

Wright first began her work with activism through music education. She was inspired to help public schools following the Columbine High School massacre. In 2000, she established the Reading, Writing and Rhythm non-profit organization. The program helps provide public schools with musical instruments and brings attention to the significance of music education.[87] Wright holds a yearly concert for the organization in Nashville that has included numerous performers in its lineup. Musicians at previous events have included Jann Arden, Rodney Crowell, Taylor Swift and Tanya Tucker[88][89] The concert has also helped raise significant amounts of money for the organization — in 2007 it raised $185,000.[89] Since its inception, Reading, Writing and Rhythm has raised nearly one million dollars.[90] "I'm so proud of this charity and the difference we've been able to make in so many young people's lives," she said in 2010.[88] In 2002, Wright received the National Association for Music Education's "FAME Award" in recognition of her accomplishments.[91]

Wright has performed with and supported US military troops overseas.

Wright has also been involved in working with military members and veterans. Following the September 11 attacks, she embarked on a USO tour performing for American troops in Iraq.[36] She also met with servicemen in Germany and Kuwait.[92] During the same period, she visited veterans and military servicemen recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.[93] In the early 2000s, also joined wounded and recovering troops at a private military service event hosted by former vice president, Dick Cheney.[93] In 2003, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the American Legion Auxiliary[94]

She has also spoken out against the former American military policy, Don't ask, don't tell. In her 2010 memoir, Wright wrote that the law "made no sense" to her and that she believed policymakers at the time were wrong for accepting it. In addition, she stated she believes it was put into practice due to a misconception that LGBT people are more likely to be sexually promiscuous. In her book, Wright further explained her reasoning: "Homosexuality does not make a person promiscuous, perverted, unprofessional, or without judgment."[95] She later spoke out about it again in 2010 with Entertainment Weekly. Wright commented that she was "angry" that former president George W. Bush and former vice president Cheney had not spoken out on the law.[96]

Wright became involved in LGBT activism following her decision to publicly come out in 2010.[97] She received notable attention in the LGBT community with the release of her 2010 memoir, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer. The book was published by Random House, Inc.[98] The book described Wright's rise to fame and struggle with being a closeted person in the country music industry. It also chronicle Wright's realization of her identity as a lesbian.[99] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wright explained that she chose to write the book for herself but also to encourage other LGBT individuals to accept themselves as they are: "...if I aid someone or comfort someone or help facilitate understanding for someone in the process, that’s a great byproduct of what I’m doing," she explained.[96] The book received positive reviews from critics following its release. Jack Feerick of Kirkus Reviews praised Wright for being "unpolished and raw."[100] The New York Journal of Books called the memoir "gut-wrenching" in their review of the book.[101] Like Me later received recognition from the LGBT literature association, the Lambda Awards, in 2011.[102]

Wright and Cyndi Lauper at an event for the Gay and Lesbian Center, 2000s.

Shortly after coming out, Wright performed at the 2010 Capitol Pride parade in Washington D.C. She also made several national public television appearances to discuss her coming out story and LGBT rights on shows, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[99][103] Wright also spoke out on CNN in 2010 to discuss the increased suicide rate by LGBT youth in the United States. Also included on program were Nate Berkus, Kathy Griffin and Wanda Sykes.[104] In 2010, Wright was named the National Spokesperson for the organization GLSEN.[105] Wright was named one of Out magazine's annual 100 People of the Year.[106] Metro Source New York magazine named her as one of the 20 people We Love in 2010. In 2011, she appeared in the PBS documentary, Out in America, that discussed the LGBT experience in the United States.[107] After U.S President Barack Obama announced his support for LGBT rights, Wright endorsed his re-election campaign in 2012.[108]

In 2011, Wright released a documentary chronicling her coming-out story titled Wish Me Away. The film was officially released to American markets in spring 2012.[109] The film was directed by Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf. Both directors filmed Wish Me Away over a three-year span.[110] The documentary was reviewed positively following its release. Los Angeles Times called it "a sympathetic, emotional portrait of a life at a pivotal transition."[111] The New York Times concluded, "By the end you may not be a fan of her music, but it’s hard not to root for her rebirth."[110] The Hollywood Reporter commented that Wish Me Away was released at "the right moment" because marriage equality was a hot-button topic at the time.[112] Wish Me Away was later nominated by the GLAAD Media Awards in the category of "Outstanding Documentary."[113] It also won an accolade from the Los Angeles Film Festival[109] and received a nomination from the Emmy Awards.[114] Since its release, Wright stated that she still receives letters from LGBT individuals who said it has helped them acknowledge their own sexuality.[115]

In 2012, Wright established an LGBT organization titled, "LIKEME." The nonprofit organization is designed to help educate and provide assistance to individuals in the LGBT community. This includes youth, adults and family members of those struggling with their sexual identity.[116] In May 2012, Wright and the organization founded a "Lighthouse" center in Kansas City, Missouri. The community center includes resources, staff and counselors to help those in the LGBT community find support.[117] Since its launch, the center has received funds from various events, including a 2016 live performance fundraiser.[118]

In 2014, Wright spoke on the stage of the GLAAD Media Awards to discuss anti-bullying legislation with fellow activist Marcel Neergaard. She also introduced country artist Kacey Musgraves, who performed her song, "Follow Your Arrow."[119] In recent years, Wright has been outspoken on transgender bathroom laws. She discussed her views against the laws on Twitter and on other social media platforms. In 2016, Wright appeared on CNN encouraging the country music industry to be supportive of laws that protect transgender Americans in the state of Tennessee.[120]

A Christian,[121] Wright harbored the belief her sexual orientation was immoral and that her secret would kill her career hopes. From early childhood, she resolved to never confide her orientation to anyone or to pursue romantic relationships with women.[122] Despite her resolution against having sex with women, Wright disclosed in her memoir that, by her early thirties, she had had sexual relationships with two women. She had her first same-sex experience at age 19 — "it was the first time I'd ever had a girl's body pressed against mine"[123]—and the affair lasted the better part of a year. From 1993 to about 2004, Wright maintained a committed relationship with a woman she described as "the love of my life." In her memoir, Wright uses the pseudonym Julia to keep her identity hidden. She met Julia shortly after winning her first recording contract. The era of their relationship overlaps Wright's rise to chart-topping stardom. They maintained their relationship even though her partner subsequently married a man, and even while both women briefly had relationships with men.[124][125]

Before publicly coming out, Wright had heterosexual relationships with country stars Vince Gill (left) and Brad Paisley (right).

In 1998, Wright had a brief relationship with country artist Vince Gill. The pair had originally met as artists both signed to MCA Records. Although the pair had developed a friendship, Gill was also developing a developing affection for Christian singer-songwriter, Amy Grant. At the same time, Wright still had feelings for her long-term female partner. Gill and Wright eventually split, but remained on friendly terms.[126] In the last months of 2000, Wright began a relationship with country singer Brad Paisley.[127][128][129] Even though Wright and Julia had moved in together earlier that year, and Wright admitted she felt no sexual attraction to Paisley,[130][131] she recounted that "he's wickedly smart, which is one of the reasons why I made the decision to spend time with him. I loved Brad. I never had the capacity to fall in love with him, but I figured if I’m gonna live a less than satisfied life, this is the guy I could live my life with. If I’m gonna be with a boy, this is the boy."[132] She held him in high esteem and great affection in every way other than sexual attraction.[130][133] In her autobiography she expressed remorse for how she treated Paisley.[132][134]

In her memoir, Wright described being confronted about her sexuality for the first time. In March 2005, she met up with long-time friend, John Rich. After enjoying a night out, Rich drove her back. In the car ride, Rich confronted Wright about her sexuality: "You know people talk about you...they wonder if you're, you know, gay...You know, that's not cool. People don't approve of that deviant behavior. It's a sin."[135] The confrontation caused Wright to become fearful of being outed and ultimately led her to end her 12-year relationship with Julia. The pair would soon split and Wright moved out of their home.[136] After Wright's coming out in 2010, Rich issued a statement that stated his confrontation was "taken the wrong way." He also commented that he wished Wright "the best in her personal and professional life."[137]

After moving out, Wright began to reach a personal breaking point in 2006. That year, she nearly took her own life while alone at her home in Nashville. She pointed a gun into her mouth, but changed her mind before pulling the trigger.[99] In her memoir, Wright realized she had an "urge to fight" and had a determination to become stronger. After staying in bed for several days, she rode her bike 13 miles around the Nashville area. "Keep pedaling, keep pushing, keep fighting for a breath," she recalled.[138]

Wright eventually abandoned the belief of hiding her sexual identity. She soon took steps towards coming out. In 2008, Wright made the move from Nashville to New York City where she became more involved with the LGBT community. During this period, she came out to members of her immediate family and to a few of her close friends. It was not until 2007 that she decided to come out publicly, but spent the next three years writing her autobiography. She stated that she wanted to come out to free herself from the burdens of living a lie, to lend support to LGBT youth, and to dismantle the notion that being gay is immoral. On May 3, 2010, People magazine reported her coming out.[140][141][142] Wright became one of the first[128][129][143][144][145] members of the country music community to come out as gay; country artist k.d. lang came out in 1992 (though she later abandoned the country music genre), and Kristen Hall, formerly of Sugarland, was openly gay while working with that band.[146][147]

Following her announcement, Wright received support from fellow country artists LeAnn Rimes, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Faith Hill, Naomi Judd, SHeDAISY and Trisha Yearwood.[148] She also found new fans that discovered her through the LGBT community and through social media platforms. Wright also lost a significant chunk of her fan base and her record sales dropped in half.[149]

Two weeks after publicly coming out, Wright met fellow LGBT activist and Sony Music marketing director Lauren Blitzer.[150] On April 6, 2011, Wright announced her engagement to Blitzer. The couple married on August 20, 2011, in a private ceremony on a country estate in Connecticut officiated by both a rabbi and a reverend.[151][152] On January 23, 2013, the couple announced that Chely was expecting identical twins.[153] In May 2013, Wright gave birth to two twin boys named George and Everett. Both children were named after their great-grandfathers, according to Wright.[154]

In 2018, Wright suffered a stroke. She discovered the stroke after having a series of migraine headaches that felt unusual. After dropping her children off, Wright went to the emergency room at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital. At the hospital, her doctor confirmed that she had suffered a stroke. Wright made the news public a year later to help encourage other people to seek medical attention if they notice similar symptoms.[155]

Cited sources