Chely Wright
Chely Wright (born Richell Rene Wright;[a] October 25, 1970)[3] is an American activist, author and country music artist. She initially rose to fame as a commercial country recording artist with several charting singles, including the number one hit, "Single White Female." She later became known for her role in LGBT activism after publicly coming out as a gay woman in 2010. She has since sold over 1,500,000 copies and 10,000,000 digital impressions to date in the United States.[4]
Not to be confused with Michelle Wright.
Chely Wright
- Singer
- songwriter
- activist
- author
1993–present
2
- Vocals
- piano
- guitar
Raised in Kansas, Wright developed aspirations to become a country singer and songwriter. Yet, as a young child, she discovered her homosexuality and realized it conflicted with her Christian faith and her hopes of becoming a performer. Determined to become successful, she vowed to hide her sexuality and continued performing. Wright moved to Nashville, Tennessee, following high school graduation and was cast in stage productions at the now-defunct Opryland USA amusement park. She eventually signed her first recording contract in 1993 with PolyGram/Mercury Records and released two albums. With limited success, Wright switched record labels and had her first hit with 1997's "Shut Up and Drive". It was followed in 1999 with "Single White Female," and a gold-certified album of the same name.
At her commercial zenith, Wright continued living a closeted life and became increasingly unhappy. She engaged in a long-term relationship with a woman but ultimately separated at the risk of being outed by members of the Nashville community. In 2006, Wright began suffering an emotional collapse and nearly took her own life. She then realized she needed to come out publicly and started working on projects that would help her come to terms with her homosexuality. In 2010, Wright released the memoir, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer, and the album, Lifted Off the Ground. Both projects centered around her coming out process and the acceptance of herself.
Wright became involved in LGBT activism following her 2010 decision. During that time she moved to New York City and released a documentary which chronicled her coming out titled, Wish Me Away. She would later establish a charity "Like Me", which helped provide assistance to LGBT youth. She has since been a spokesperson for programs such as GLSEN and other activism-related programs. Wright would also marry and have two children. Wright also continued her music career, but transitioned more towards Americana and folk. She has since released 2016's I Am the Rain and 2019's Revival.
Music career[edit]
1993–1996: Beginnings at PolyGram and the rise to success[edit]
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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[3] 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]
1997–2003: Breakout into the mainstream[edit]
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.[3] 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."[3] 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.[3] 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.[3][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,[3] 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.[3]
2004–present: Musical transitions and coming out[edit]
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.[3] 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]
Activist career[edit]
2000–2010: Early activism[edit]
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]
Personal life[edit]
Early relationships, closeted identity and breaking point[edit]
Wright harbored the belief her sexual orientation was immoral and that her secret would kill her career hopes, as a result of her Christian upbringing.[123] From early childhood, she resolved to never confide her orientation to anyone or to pursue romantic relationships with women.[124] 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"[125]—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.[126][127]