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Gretchen Wilson Graduates

Gretchen Wilson will don a cap and gown later this month, as she officially graduates from high school. The 34-year-old country star recently passed her GED exam. It was a challenge she took on for the sake of her 7 year-old daughter, Grace.

"I certainly don't want her to think you can be this successful without an education," Wilson told Nashville's Tennessean newspaper.

Wilson dropped out of school in the ninth grade. But she credits that decision as the driving force in her eventual career success.

"I don't think I'd be where I'm at today if I had stayed in school," she says. "I would have never followed the path that I followed. I may have been in the music business, but I don't think I would have been an artist. I don't think I'd have been pushy enough. I kind of had to get out there and start fighting and clawing my way through the world . . . and I think that's a lot of what it took for me to finally get that record deal."
Wilson is now hard at work on her fourth studio album. As for future studies, she hasn't ruled out college. But don't expect her to be strolling around a campus anytime soon.

"I'd do a home-school course, like those ones you see Sally Struthers doing on TV," she tells the Tennessean.

Read the full article here.

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ctkcec

Just shows that it's never too late to do something good! Congrats.

May 09 2009 at 8:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pete

Cheryl, I would not want to insult your intelligence, your narrow mindedness does that just fine. The bottom line is while you may not care for her songs the fact that she was willing to put it out there that she was 35 and did not have a high school education took nerve and the fact that she completed it shows character.I say good for her!

May 19 2008 at 12:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Muzik

Congratulations Gretchen! It never easy to go back and finish school. I hope you're story will encourage kids to stay in school, and those who didn't finish to go back and get it done.

You're live show are awesome, and your music is real and true to life!! Keep ROCKIN!!

May 11 2008 at 9:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lorna

Ms. Wilson Congrats!! And it's about damn time! I know you were busy but you also must have not had anyone to harass you about it either. Kids change everything. The Sally Struthers stuff is bunk. They don't give you the credit you can be taken seriously with or use without still going somewhere else. Go to college online to a real University.

And to Cheryl & Chad. This shouldn't be about whether or not she is a real artist. She's not my favorite, nor do I run out to listen to her. But I can tell she is a real country woman. But this isn't about her music. This is about her accomplishment and example to her children and hopefully, others. She has fame and money now. Why would she need a degree? It sets an example that just because she is Gretchen Wilson, doesn't mean that she doesn't need that paper.

May 11 2008 at 2:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jennifer

I think that she was doing something great in her life achieving her GED. Obviously, Cheryl has never had any struggles in her own life to be able to relate to GW and her music.

May 10 2008 at 8:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cheryl

Chad, it is relatively obvious that we do not share the same impression of the "artist" in question. There fore, because this is America we have the option to "agree to disagree". I appreciate your attempts to enlighten me, however I am comfortable with my opinion. Have a great day!

May 10 2008 at 2:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chad

Real women of country? You obviously have never been to one of HER shows, not a festival. Who do you consider to be real women of country.... I would encourage you to look into the people of country music that she admires, you probably have a lot more in common with her than you think!

May 10 2008 at 11:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cheryl

Allow me to clarify...I apologize for conveying the perception that I am bitter. Thank God I am very happy and successful. As a die hard country music fan, I sincerely admire and respect the talented women of country. But it is just that..."talented". I firmly believe that this "artist" is an insult and disgrace to the real women of country.

"Boots" really drove the message home. Thanks for clarifying the situation for what it really is.

May 10 2008 at 8:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chad

I guess because I used the Screen Name Chad, you thought I was a Guy.....

Just proves my point!!


May 09 2008 at 9:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jaxon


Cheryl

This "artist" and I use the term loosely is a disgrace to country music and all the respectable women who perform and enjoy country music. No respectable, educated person would have filmed that videoPlease don't insult my intelligence.

AMEN CHERYL!!!!!!!!

Chad
WOW... someone is bitter.....There was nothing wrong with that video, and she is a very talented Artist.... Trust Me...

CHAD NO ONE IS BITTER! WE JUST DON'T THINK WITH OUR LITTLE BRAIN IN THAT SHRIVLED PART BELOW THE WAIST. THE ONLY THING ?TALENTED" ABOUT GRETCHEN WILSON IS THE WAY SHE CAN SPREAD. HENCE, YOUR TINY BRAIN KICKS IN.

May 09 2008 at 7:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply