Wilson makes ‘redneck’ a good thing

July 23, 2009

By TARA LAYNE The Goshen News Thu Jul 23, 2009, 11:55 AM EDT

Not so long ago, being known as a “redneck woman” would have been considered a bad thing. But that was before country singer Gretchen Wilson took the stage at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.

Wilson had the crowd on its feet from the moment she arrived, belting out her popular, “Here for the Party,” followed by “There’s A Place in the Whiskey” and “Homewrecker.”

Not one to mince words, Wilson told her fans exactly how she felt about Hollywood types like Paris Hilton (she can’t think of anyone she likes less) and sang about fighting for her man. (“Don’t Make Me Take My Earrings Out . . . cause I’ll show you what a catfight’s all about.”)

Despite a steady rain prior to the concert, a large line had formed outside the gate leading to the track seats. There, fans who had paid $25 to sit closer to the stage waited in anticipation.

Elaine Anderson and her daughter, Tia Rice, of Goshen, were among those waiting in line. Neither had ever seen Wilson in concert, but are both big fans of the singer.

“She’s herself and she tells you to be yourself. She doesn’t put on airs for anyone,” Anderson said of Wilson.

“I love how she stands out,” agreed Rice, a senior at Bethany Christian. Both mother and daughter really like Wilson’s hit song, “Redneck Woman,” and Rice said she considers herself a redneck woman. So what is a “redneck woman,” anyway?

“It’s someone that is not afraid to get dirty and is kinda wild,” Rice said. A redneck woman would go mudding, 4-wheeling and wear buckles and cowboy boots, she said.

Nappanee residents Casey Bough and Danielle Stutzman also said they like Wilson because she says what she thinks.

“She sings what she wants and doesn’t really care,” Stutzman said.

“Gretchen Wilson is a pretty big name,” said Bough, adding that she had been to all the concerts at the fair this week except Rodney Atkins since she saw him perform a few years ago at the fair.

Unlike Rice, however, neither Blough nor Stutzman consider themselves “redneck women.”

Text Only

Elkhart County Fair

Doberenz among champs Recent Northridge High School graduate Austin Doberenz shouted “I got a championship” after winning the 19-30 age group championship in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament Thursday night at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.
July 24, 2009
Roaring diesels draw fans The grandstands were full Thursday afternoon at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, as tractor pull fans were treated to the smoke of roaring diesel engines and the scream of supercharged truck engines powering “tractors” and “trucks” hundreds of feet through wet clay.
July 24, 2009
Daryck Barnett is the Answer Man Daryck Barnett was the man with the answers Thursday.
July 24, 2009
Some Fairgoers are limiting their spending Despite the recession and a brief period of inclement weather, the Elkhart County 4-H Fair has been bustling throughout its week-long stay.
July 24, 2009
Racing and crashing Have track, will travel.
July 23, 2009
3-on-3 finals slated tonight at Fair Players in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair on Wednesday night had to perform like mailmen — they couldn’t let the rain stop them from their appointed rounds.
July 23, 2009
Wilson makes ‘redneck’ a good thing Not so long ago, being known as a “redneck woman” would have been considered a bad thing. But that was before country singer Gretchen Wilson took the stage at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.
July 23, 2009
First-time animal exhibitor planning to do it again With all the food, rides, concerts and booths at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, it can be easy to forget the effort put in by the hundreds of 4-Hers toward their exhibits and animals.

July 23, 2009
The economy is fine at the fair With all the economic woes, unemployment and general malaise in the business world, the Elkhart County 4-H Fair faced a challenge in 2009 of bringing people out to support the event, spend money and, most importantly, have fun. So far, the fair has seemed to rise to the challenge.

July 23, 2009
Seniors get to say Wii Two queens battled it out Tuesday afternoon at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.
July 22, 2009
More Elkhart County Fair Headlines

How do you help the environment?

Elkhart County Fair

Search Results

Wilson makes ‘redneck’ a good thing

How do you help the environment?

Site Map