By Ap/KWMU
POCAHANTAS, Ill. – Country music singer Gretchen Wilson, who hails from the southern Illinois town of Pocahontas, picked up the Breakthrough Favorite New Artist award Sunday night at the American Music Awards.
Her debut single "Redneck Woman," which is about the life of an average country girl, has catapulted Wilson in to stardom. It is the fastest rising debut country single since 1996.
Before Wilson's overnight success, the former bartender sang at local bars and performed karaoke throughout the metro-east and St. Louis area.
Wilson also has voiced the song "Redbird Fever" in time for the Cardinals playoff run that included a National League championship.
Pocahontas is about 40 miles northeast of St. Louis.