THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270026
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 63 lines
AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE State University, Chely Wright studied pre-law, with a minor in criminal justice.
Ready for a gun and badge, ready to read 'em their rights, ready to get right in the middle of it?
``Right In the Middle Of It'' is a hit thanks to what USA Today calls Wright's ``powerful voice and presence.''
Her presence at the university is strictly in the interest of learning.
``I have a few more hours,'' said the Kansas-born traditionalist who was inspired by folks like Connie Smith, Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson and Buck Owens.
``(Owens) invited me to do a duet on an album with him,'' Wright said, adding that she also expects to work with Smith and Lynn. ``We've been talking about that for a year. I'd also like to record with Trisha Yearwood. She is a great singer.''
Ditto for Wright, proclaimed by the Academy of Country Music last year as Top New Female Vocalist. She'll be performing Friday at The Showcase in Portsmouth.
Her award is impressive, considering the fact that the field is packed.
``It's a crowded business, but that doesn't bother me. Country music has had a huge explosion in the past six or seven years,'' Wright said, during a phone interview from Tonawanda, N.Y. ``The record labels gained monetarily and they've been able to sign a lot of different acts. Thank God they have enough to sign me.
``The best thing about what I do is making music. Fame is cool for awhile, but I love to write a country song, play it and see how people react to it. I write everyday. If I have a day off, that's what I love to do.''
Wright also loves ``hiking, working in the yard and reading. I read a lot of short stories and a lot of the Southern poets. Now, I'm reading a lot of theology. It's a perpetual study.''
Wright studied at the Minnie Pearl School of Experience.
``She was a hero who turned out to be a good friend. She told me if she ever caught me just singing my records, she'd find me and tan my hide,'' Wright said. ``She wanted me to do a show. She said the people could listen to my records at home. She also told me, `It's their party. You're there to see they have a good time.' ''
Home for the 25-year-old singer is a recently purchased abode near Nashville. Home is also on the road, currently with Alabama.
``I learn consistency from them. Their shows are as fresh as they were 10 years ago,'' said Wright, who expects to perform on ``At the Ryman,'' Ricky Skaggs weekly Nashville Network program.
``I told him that the first album I ever bought was his `Waitin' For the Sun To Shine,' '' she said. ``He got a kick out of that.''
Her next album will mix originals with the products of some of Nashville's best known writers.
``My main objective,'' Wright said, ``is to find great songs - whether or not I write them.''
You can be sure ballads will be accented.
``Country music has been strongly defined by ballads,'' Wright said. ``I like the rip-your-heart-out songs.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
A&M RECORDS
Chely Wright, 25, was Top New Female Vocalist last year.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY COUNTRY SINGER by CNB