Meet Gretchen Wilson ... and grab a bag of Funyuns
| Wednesday, Sep 08 2010 05:52 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Sep 08 2010 05:52 PM
GO & DO
Gretchen Wilson will be in the area for two appearances Sunday.
Autograph-signing: 1 p.m. at TravelCenters of America, 5552 Wheeler Ridge Road (from Bakersfield, take I-5 south; exit at Laval Road, 219 A).
Concert: 7 p.m. at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. Tickets are $51.50 to $61.50 and can be purchased at vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Let me get a big hell yeah from the fans of "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson, who will sign autographs at a TravelCenters of America store at the base of the Grapevine at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Wilson, who seemed to speak for life-of-the-party gals everywhere when she roared on to the country scene a few years ago with spitfire anthems like "Redneck Woman" and "All Jacked Up," will be in the area for a concert at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace later that day.
B. Craig Campbell, who handles publicity for the star, said it was unusual for Wilson to make an appearance at what amounts to a convenience store. But then she did make a name for herself by connecting with regular folks, and convenience stores are where regular folks tend go. As TA manager Dina DeLeon pointed out, the Lebec area store, located near the always-packed Starbucks, gets a lot of traffic.
DeLeon has been such a blur of activity since she learned of the special guest about a week ago that she hasn't had time to get acquainted with the singer or her work. At all.
"I didn't even know who she was," said the un-starstruck manager. "But I did see some pictures and saw her CD and I know people are excited."
The store has ordered about 200 copies of Wilson's latest album, "I Got Your Country Right Here," which will be available for $14.99.
DeLeon said it was her understanding Wilson would autograph only copies of the new CD, but Campbell said his client is a pretty good sport and will sign anything -- within reason, that is.
"She will stay until everything is signed," Campbell promised.
Wilson's career has quieted down a bit since her 2004 debut, but Campbell said it's an exciting time for the singer, who parted with former label Sony last year and has started her own record company, called -- what else -- Redneck Records.
"She's loving that part, mainly because she knows what's going on. A lot of times, there were decisions made she didn't know about," he said.
As for DeLeon, between getting the store ready and making sure the singer's demands are met (just requests for water and refreshments -- no diva behavior here), will she make time to study up on the singer's hits?
"That's correct. I have to know something about her."
