Gretchen Wilson: Music Row Mom

[augustana]

toledoblade.com -- GAC looking for a star

I talked to Gretchen Wilson last week. She’s been in the studio working on her fourth album, but she had a lot to say about her younger competition these days in Nashville.

Struggling to revive her career, you’d think she’d be threatened by the new batch of female stars, but she actually considers herself the "Music Row mom."

"I get very nervous when you talk about Carrie Underwood, Miranda [Lambert], and Kellie [Pickler]. They are amazing, and I adore them, but I worry about them," Wilson said. "Lots of people in Nashville love to take advantage of you and make money off of you and sometimes appear to be your best friend but really don’t care about you at all. It takes a few years to weed out the bad ones and surround yourself with the good ones."

She wasn’t pointing a finger at anyone in particular, just making the point that there is wisdom an older artist can pass along to the up-and-comers, so she regularly talks to Lambert and Pickler "just to make sure they are okay and see if they have any questions."

She added that Martina McBride was her Music Row mom.

Check out this Sunday’s Blade for an in-depth feature on Wilson. She had lots of candid things to say.

[ChrisKellieFan]

Wise words from Gretchen! She has certainly been there and done that in Nashville, and I sure don't want to see Kellie's career on the decline like Gretchen's did after some initial success. I mentioned in one of the CMT awards threads that Kellie, like all new artists, needs advice, and I wasn't referring to strangers coming up to her in a grocery store with dating advice, only to professional career advice and guidance. Gretchen's comments remind me of this post (not mine) on the CMT board

CMT.com : Kellie Pickler : Message Board

rainstick

03.27.2008
07:10 PM
RE: Kellie Is Getting A Raw Deal

First I would like to say Love that Kellie girl..I do have connections in Nashville and wrote a nice letter on here to tell you how it all works and how the label co. owns you but I guess it wasn't being put on..It all a money thing,you do what they say when they say or they won't push for you.If you are a good song writer and can sing alittle they will sign you on just so they can get the songs while under them they own every song you write for ever,you will get a little out of it but not like the co. does.My brother-in- law is a member of the opry and does tours so I do get to meet many singers..Meet Carrie while under the AI contract and wasn't able to talk or get a pic with her because of the contract the only way was by meet and greet...which you had to pay more for..MONEY thing.Look at the times Toby Keith was having when they told him he couldn't do a song,or say those words wait till it was up said kiss it and did his own record co..As for radio they are told what to play and whos the hottest...Again money..this is short compared to the one that did make it..It was nothing wrong just telling you a little about the business..

[north_clt]

The more I find out about Gretchen, the more I like her. I think it's great that she's a "Music Row mom" for three people I adore.

[fanofkellie]

This is good. It's so nice of Gretchen taking an interest in Kellie, advising her, and trying to help her.

[Scooter520]

We as fans have pretty much figured this out.

[kelliedawnpicklerfan]

Cool!

[Kellielover101]

Cool!