Chely Wright

If I wanted to be a pop singer, I would have done that 20 years ago. I love country music.

As a young girl, there were the obvious messages about what girls could and couldn't achieve. And to compound the limitations I felt being leveled upon me, I realized at the age of nine, that I was gay.

Being born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in the very rural parts of Kansas led me to believe that everything was simple, everything made sense and that anything was possible.

I think I'm no different from any artist in music. At least once, you want to see your name up on the top.

If I have a hit, then I hope the people who like the hit song go out and buy my album so they can hear it all.

It's a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. It's an even better feeling to be welcomed and accepted by country radio and its listeners. If desire is any part of this equation, then I'm a contender!