'Redneck Woman' Gretchen Wilson to perform at Wood Co. Fair

Gretchen Wilson will perform Saturday in Bowling Green at the Wood County fairgrounds.

BOWLING GREEN -- When Gretchen Wilson stormed the country music world in 2004 she brought a level of authenticity and swagger to the genre that was sorely missing.

Her single "Redneck Woman" became an anthem for anyone -- well, any woman -- who was proud of her own earthy nature and willingness to be herself rather than some pre-fab version of femininity. Plus it was great fun and catchy as all get out.

Wilson, who will perform Saturday at the Wood County Fair, has released four albums since then, including the unabashed country rock disc "I Got Your Country Right Here" on her own Redneck label in 2010.

Wilson's mom was only 16 when she gave birth to her daughter in 1973 and Wilson had a hard scrabble life growing up in Pocahontas, Ill., near St. Louis. She worked as a waitress and other odd jobs before falling in with a songwriting collective known as the Muzik Mafia.

Honing her craft and carving out a signature sound that leaned far more to the traditional country side of the genre away from pop, she scored a record deal with major label Epic and her debut in 2004, "Here for the Party" was a major chart success.

Wilson will perform Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the grandstand. Tickets are available at the Wood County Fair office at 419-352-0441 and online at woodcounty-fair.com. Prices are $27.50 and $25 for track and $20 for grandstand. All seats are reserved. The fairgrounds are at 13800 W. Poe Rd.