Editing Chely Wright (section)

==Music career==
===1993–1996: Beginnings at PolyGram and the rise to success===
Wright was signed to a publishing deal as a songwriter, which helped secure a recording contract as a recording artist with [[PolyGram]]/[[Mercury Records]] in 1993.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Wright chose to keep her sexuality hidden from her record label and buying public, a theme which continued throughout her commercial career.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=152-53}} She collaborated on her first album with Nashville producer, [[Harold Shedd]]. In a mutual agreement, Shedd agreed that Wright's persona would not be centered around being "a [music] video babe," but instead regarded for her artistic work as a country music artist.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=88}} In 1994, Wright's debut studio album was released through the label titled ''[[Woman in the Moon (album)|Woman in the Moon]].'' The album would receive critical acclaim, despite limited success.<ref name="Allmusic"/> The project spawned three singles ("He's a Good Ole Boy," "Till I Was Loved by You" and "Sea of Cowboy Hats") that all peaked outside the top 40 of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' country chart.<ref name="Billboard Singles">{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 |publisher=Record Research, Inc. |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref> The album helped Wright win Top New Female Vocalist at the 1995 [[Academy of Country Music Awards]]. Wright recalled in her memoir that she had low expectations of winning and was shocked to receive the accolade. "I had not prepared a speech for that night, but I'd been rehearsing one since I was a little girl," she commented.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=98}}

In 1996, Wright released her second album titled ''[[Right in the Middle of It]].''<ref name="Allmusic"/> According to Wright, songs for the project were chosen carefully, even if they strayed from a traditional country sound. The album was produced by Ed Seay, along with Harold Shedd. At the time of its release, PolyGram/Mercury was hopeful of its success. The album had sold 42,000 copies in its initial release and its first music video had regular airtime on [[Country Music Television]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Evans Price |first1=Deborah |title=Chely Wright's 'In the Middle of It' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 25, 1995 |volume=107 |issue=47 |pages=59–61 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pw0EAAAAMBAJ&q=chely+wright+woman+in+the+moon+received+critical+acclaim&pg=PA59 |access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> Yet, the album was unsuccessful.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Only two of its three singles charted on the ''Billboard'' country chart. Its highest-peaking single was 1996's "The Love That We Lost," which reached the top 50.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/> ''Right in the Middle of It'' received acclaim from critics. [[Allmusic]]'s Charlotte Dillon rated the project at four and a half stars, praising Wright's vocals and the album's mix of material.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Charlotte |title=''Right in the Middle of It'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/right-in-the-middle-of-it-mw0000183232 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> With her lack of success, Wright was given permission to leave her contract with PolyGram/Mercury and she began exploring new options for commercial stardom.<ref name="CNN"/>

===1997–2003: Breakout into the mainstream===
Free from her previous record label, Wright made several changes to her career. She began working with a new manager (Clarence Spalding) and a publicist (Wes Vause), who helped secure her a contract with [[Universal Music Group Nashville|MCA Records Nashville]]. Wright then contacted producer [[Tony Brown (record producer)|Tony Brown]], who had previously made hit albums with [[Reba McEntire]] and [[Wynonna Judd|Wynonna]]. Brown agreed to work with her and together they recorded her third album.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hurst |first=Jack |title=Chely Wright's Savvy Paved Way for Success |date=January 9, 1998 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-01-09-9801090362-story.html |access-date=February 1, 2021 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> In 1997, ''[[Let Me In (Chely Wright album)|Let Me In]],'' was released on MCA.<ref name="Allmusic"/> According to Brown, the album's material was backed by a simplified arrangement to help amplify Wright's vocal performance.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Flippo |first1=Chet |title=MCA Nashville Does Wright Thing |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=August 2, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=31 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_AkEAAAAMBAJ&q=chely+wright+let+me+in&pg=PA35 |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> It received a four star rating from Thom Owens at Allmusic who highlighted its "clean acoustic arrangements." Owens also called it her "most accomplished and arguably best album to date."<ref name="Let Me In">{{cite web |last1=Owens |first1=Thom |title=''Let Me In'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/let-me-in-mw0000027300 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> Meanwhile, Brian Wahlert of ''Country Standard Time'' gave it a less favorable response, finding some of the material to be fillers rather than quality music.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wahlert |first1=Brian |title=Chely Wright -- ''Let Me In'' |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=489 |website=Country Standard Time |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> ''Let Me In'' was her first to reach the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Country Albums]] chart, peaking at number 25 and spent 44 weeks there.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Let Me In'' chart history (Country Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/clp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Billboard Albums">{{cite book |last1=Whitburn |first1=Joel |title=Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums: 1967-1997 |date=1997 |publisher=Record Research Inc. |isbn=0898201241}}</ref> It was also her first to enter the [[Billboard 200]] where it charted for seven weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Let Me In'' chart history (Billboard 200) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> The album spawned Wright's first major hit, "[[Shut Up and Drive (Chely Wright song)|Shut Up and Drive]]."<ref name="Allmusic"/> The single peaked at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart and number 21 on the ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Country chart in Canada.<ref>{{cite magazine |title="Shut Up and Drive" chart history |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/csi/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref><ref name="RPM Country Songs">{{cite web |title=Search results for "Chely Wright" under "Country Singles" |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=chely+wright&q2=&interval=20 |publisher=RPM |access-date=July 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016042142/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=chely+wright&q2=&interval=20 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album's next two singles would reach the ''Billboard'' country top 40.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/>

{{listen|filename=Chely Wright--Single White Female.ogg |title="Single White Female"|description=In 1999, Wright's song "Single White Female" topped the country chart and became the biggest hit of her music career.|format=[[Ogg]]||pos=left}}
In 1999, Wright recorded her next song release, titled "[[Single White Female (song)|Single White Female]]." Once the recording was completed, producers Tony Brown, [[Buddy Cannon]] and [[Norro Wilson]], believed the song could be a hit.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=118}} The song would eventually reach number one on the ''Billboard'' country chart and the ''RPM'' country chart.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/><ref name="RPM Country Songs"/> Wright celebrated the number one on the road with fellow band members, [[Jay DeMarcus]] and [[Joe Don Rooney]] (both of whom would later form [[Rascal Flatts]]).{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=131-32}} One month later, MCA celebrated by throwing Wright a "Number One Party" where she invited numerous guests inside and outside the music industry.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=134}} The song was followed-up by another major hit, "[[It Was]]," which reached number 11 on the American country chart.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/> The same year, Wright's fourth studio album of the [[Single White Female (album)|same name]] was released.<ref name="Allmusic"/> It peaked at number 15 on the ''Billboard'' country albums chart and number 16 on Canada's country albums chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search results for "Chely Wright" under "Country Albums/CD's" |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=chely+wright&q2=Country+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |access-date=July 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016042153/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=chely+wright&q2=Country+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album would eventually sell 500,000 copies and certify gold in sales from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Lisa |title=Chely Wright Celebrates Gold Status |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1472543/chely-wright-celebrates-gold-status/ |access-date=February 1, 2021 |publisher=[[Country Music Television]] |date=June 11, 2003}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Allmusic's [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] praised the studio effort, calling it "a welcome addition to an already impressive catalog."<ref name="Single White Female">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=''Single White Female'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/single-white-female-mw0000666167 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> Bill Friskics-Warren of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' noted that despite its [[country pop]] production, the record "hangs together as a sustained--and fairly compelling--song cycle about one woman's search for intimacy."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Friskics-Warren |first1=Bill |title=Answering Country's Call |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1999/06/27/answering-countrys-call/9031879b-6ccd-43d4-8fc3-55c47e55aaa7/ |access-date=February 1, 2021 |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=June 27, 1999}}</ref>

In the fall of 2000, Wright began choosing songs for her upcoming fifth studio album. She composed the songs by herself, with help from [[Tim Nichols]] and [[Brad Paisley]]. Wright also served as the opening act on Paisley's 2000 tour.<ref name="Allmusic"/>{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=154-61}} The pair would also record a duet that would later be nominated for an accolade by the [[Country Music Association]].{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=159}} The two would also become romantically involved during this time, all while Wright remained in a closeted relationship with a woman.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=128-29}} In 2001, ''[[Never Love You Enough]]'' was released on MCA. Following on the heels of her previous release, the album was a chart success,<ref name="Allmusic"/> climbing to number four on the Top Country Albums chart and number 62 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Never Love You Enough'' chart history (Country Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/clp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Never Love You Enough'' chart history (Billboard 200) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> Yet its two singles only reached the top 30 of the ''Billboard'' chart. Its highest-charting hit was "[[Jezebel (Chely Wright song)|Jezebel]]," which reached number 23.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/> The album received mixed reception from critics. Michael Gallucci called it a "conservative follow-up,"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallucci |first1=Michael |title=''Never Love You Enough'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/never-love-you-enough-mw0000014117 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> while ''Country Standard Time'' called it, "a pleasant pop album, but hardly the sort of truly memorable work that Wright is so obviously capable of."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Messinger |first1=Eli |title=Chely Wright -- ''Never Love You Enough'' |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=487 |website=Country Standard Time |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref>

In 2001, Wright embarked on "The Coca-Cola Hometown Hero Tour," a 30-date set of concerts and presented at the [[CMT Music Awards]]. She also made her acting debut the same year in the [[Disney]] film, ''[[Max Keeble's Big Move]].'' Wright was cast as the main character's homeroom teacher.<ref name="Max Keeble">{{cite news |last1=Orr |first1=Jay |title=Chely Wright Can't Love Her Fans Enough |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1444390/chely-wright-cant-love-her-fans-enough/ |access-date=February 1, 2021 |publisher=[[Country Music Television]] |date=June 11, 2001}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2002, Wright won the "Fashion Plate Award" from the [[CMT Music Awards|CMT Flameworthy Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stark |first1=Phyllis |title=Keith, Chesney Score at CMT Video Awards |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=June 22, 2002 |volume=114 |issue=25 |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxEEAAAAMBAJ&q=chely+wright+%22jezebel%22+wins+cmt+flameworthy+award&pg=PA8 |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> She would also be rated among ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" during this time as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chely Wright Producing Hits with ''The Metropolitan Hotel'' |url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/chely-wright-producing-hits-metropolitan-hotel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204195226/https://www.voanews.com/archive/chely-wright-producing-hits-metropolitan-hotel |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |website=[[Voice of America]] |access-date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> In 2002, she recorded a song for the soundtrack of ''[[The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea]]'' and was asked to be the "guest of honor" at [[Disney World]].{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=172-76}} In 2003, Wright left MCA Records.<ref name="Allmusic"/>

===2004–present: Musical transitions and coming out===
After leaving MCA, Wright co-wrote [[Clay Walker]]'s top ten hit, "[[I Can't Sleep (song)|I Can't Sleep]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1511835/20051019/wright_chely.jhtml |title=BMI Honors "Live Like You Were Dying" and Charlie Daniels |access-date=June 20, 2008 |author=Shelburne, Craig |date=October 25, 2005 |publisher=CMT |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404110047/http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1511835/20051019/wright_chely.jhtml |archive-date=April 4, 2009}}</ref> She also moved her recording career towards an independent direction. In 2004, she signed with the independent label, Vivaton, and also changed management. Her first Vivaton release was the 2004 single, "[[Back of the Bottom Drawer]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Chely Wright Returns to Radio |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1485306/chely-wright-returns-to-radio/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131165009/http://www.cmt.com/news/1485306/chely-wright-returns-to-radio/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |publisher=[[Country Music Television]] |date=February 24, 2004}}</ref> The song peaked at number 40 on the ''Billboard'' country chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title="Back of the Bottom Drawer" chart history |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/csi/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> Despite an intended album release, Wright exited Vivaton one month later, citing creative differences with label CEO, [[Jeff Huskins]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Chely Wright Exits Vivaton Records |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1488672/chely-wright-exits-vivaton-records/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123151433/http://www.cmt.com/news/1488672/chely-wright-exits-vivaton-records/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |publisher=[[Country Music Television]] |date=June 24, 2004}}</ref> Instead, she independently released an [[extended play]] titled ''[[Everything (EP)|Everything]]''.<ref name="Allmusic"/> In late 2004, Wright released the self-penned single, "[[The Bumper of My SUV]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Wright Prepares Release of New Album |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1494643/wright-prepares-release-of-new-album/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130075720/http://www.cmt.com/news/1494643/wright-prepares-release-of-new-album/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |publisher=[[Country Music Television]] |date=December 8, 2004}}</ref> She was inspired to write the song following a road-rage incident in which another driver was angry that Wright had a [[Marines|Marine Corps]] bumper sticker on her car.{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=214}} Following its release to radio, members of Wright's fan club were accused of calling radio stations, falsely portraying military people to help it gain airplay.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Michele |title=Country Single's Radio Requests Deemed Deceptive |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4236867 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=December 20, 2004}}</ref> The conflict caused the single to be re-released in 2005 and it eventually peaked at number 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.<ref name="Billboard Singles"/> In 2005, she released her sixth album, ''[[The Metropolitan Hotel]]''. Released on the independent [[Dualtone Records|Dualtone]] label, the project incorporated acoustic material with contemporary country.<ref name="Metropolitan Hotel">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=''The Metropolitan Hotel'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-metropolitan-hotel-mw0000266237 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref>  It reached number 18 on the ''Billboard'' country albums chart and number 96 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''The Metropolitan Hotel'' chart history (Country Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/clp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=''The Metropolitan Hotel'' chart history (Billboard 200) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine concluded that it was "her best and most complete album to date".<ref name="Metropolitan Hotel"/> ''[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]]'' found the album to have a "tough" and "assertive edge".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chely Wright – ''The Metropolitan Hotel'' |url=https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/chely-wright-the-metropolitan-hotel/ |website=[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref>

{{listen|filename=Chely Wright--Like Me--Audio.ogg |title="Like Me"|description=In "Like Me," Wright describes a relationship with another woman. The song was released on her 2010 album, ''[[Lifted Off the Ground]]'', which was part of the promotional process she utilized to publicly come out.|format=[[Ogg]]||pos=right}}
[[File:Chely Wright (15923716096).jpg|thumb|right|170px|Wright in concert, 2014.]]
Wright then went into a career hiatus after deciding to publicly come out to her record-buying public.<ref name="Allmusic"/>{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=253-56}}<ref name="Huffington Post">{{cite web |last1=Ocamb |first1=Karen |title=Country Star Chely Wright Comes Out, Talks About Suicide, God, Melissa, kd and the Indigo Girls |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/country-star-chely-wright_b_565302 |website=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=July 6, 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> She started writing material which would later make up her next studio release titled ''[[Lifted Off the Ground]]''.<ref name="Allmusic"/> She brought the album's material to artist and producer, [[Rodney Crowell]],{{sfn|Wright, Chely|2010|p=262-63}} who encouraged Wright to record it.<ref name="Lifted Off the Ground">{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Chely |title=''Lifted Off the Ground'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/lifted-off-the-ground-mw0001974353 |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> The album's sound contained a simpler arrangement that was comparable to [[folk music]]. It also contained material that alluded to her lesbian identity, particularly the track, "Like Me".<ref name="Lifted Off the Ground"/><ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Steve |title=Chely Wright: ''Lifted Off the Ground'' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/125338-chely-wright-lifted-off-the-ground-2496196492.html |website=[[PopMatters]] |date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> The album reached number 32 on the Top Country Albums chart and 200th position on the ''Billboard 200''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Lifted Off the Ground'' chart history (Country Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/clp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Lifted Off the Ground'' chart history (Billboard 200) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> The record and her corresponding [[Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer|memoir]] were released both on May 4, 2010.<ref name="Huffington Post"/> Reflecting on the experience, Wright told ''[[Newsweek]]'', "I really do feel lifted off the ground. I have no secret now. I feel like I'm floating. I'm so proud to be standing where I am today".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |title=Country Singer Chely Wright Comes Out as Lesbian |url=https://www.newsweek.com/country-singer-chely-wright-comes-out-lesbian-72637 |access-date=June 14, 2021 |publisher=[[Newsweek]] |date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> ''Lifted Off the Ground'' received four stars from Thom Jurek of Allmusic who cited Crowell's production and Wright's songwriting as the reasons for its success.<ref name="Lifted Off the Ground"/> Meanwhile, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' believed Wright could have challenged the country music establishment more rather than "tread lighty" in her songwriting material.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wappler |first1=Margaret |title=Album review: Chely Wright's ''Lifted Off the Ground'' |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/05/album-review-chely-wrights-lifted-off-the-ground.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref>

With the exception of a guest appearance on a Rodney Crowell album, Wright took a five-year break from music.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Tarpaper Sky'': Rodney Crowell |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tarpaper-sky-mw0002626502/credits |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref><ref name="I Am the Rain">{{cite web |last1=Donelson |first1=Marcey |title=''I Am the Rain'': Chely Wright: Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-am-the-rain-mw0002968588 |website=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> During her hiatus, she got married, started a family and dedicated additional time to LGBT activism. "I realize the power I had that I didn’t know I had", Wright said in response to her hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walmer |first1=Brian |title=Music & Concerts Catching up with Chely Wright |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/11/23/catching-chely-wright/ |website=[[Washington Blade]] |date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> Yet, she continued songwriting and brought new material to Crowell, who got her in contact with producer [[Joe Henry]]. Henry agreed to produce her and Wright formed a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to help fund the record. In 2016, she released ''[[I Am the Rain]].'' The album featured collaborations with Crowell, [[Emmylou Harris]] and [[The Milk Carton Kids]]. It was considered a departure from her previous records, with roots centered in the [[Americana (music)|Americana]] genre.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/chely-wright-i-am-the-rain-album-release-date-special-guests-revealed-20160706 |title=Chely Wright, 'I Am the Rain' Album: Release Date, Special Guests Revealed |last1=Betts |first1=Stephen L. |date=July 6, 2016 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=September 3, 2016 |archive-date=September 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912192355/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/chely-wright-i-am-the-rain-album-release-date-special-guests-revealed-20160706 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dauphin |first1=Chuck |title=Chely Wright Reflects on Coming Out As a Country Singer & the Ups and Downs of 'Gang Mentality' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7511336/chely-wright-coming-out-i-am-the-rain-album/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://theboot.com/chely-wright-i-am-the-rain/ |title=Chely Wright Sets Release Date for Crowdfunded 'I Am the Rain' Album |last1=Allers |first1=Hannahlee |date=July 7, 2016 |website=The Boot |publisher=Taste of Country Network |access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref> ''I Am the Rain'' was her highest-charting album in ten years, reaching number 13 on the ''Billboard'' country albums list.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''I Am the Rain'' chart history (Country Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/clp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> It also reached number 181 on the ''Billboard 200.''<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''I Am the Rain'' chart history (Billboard 200) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chely-wright/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> ''I Am the Rain'' received a positive response from ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' magazine, who compared the project to that of [[Carole King]]'s ''[[Tapestry (Carole King album)|Tapestry]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2016/09/06/chely_wright_on_how_coming_out_shaped_her_new_album_i_am_the_rain.html |title=Chely Wright, Who Lost Fans When She Came Out in 2010, Has a New Album and No Regrets |last1=Tucker |first1=Karen Iris |date=September 6, 2016 |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |publisher=[[The Slate Group]] |access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref> Allmusic's Marcey Donelson positively commented that the album had an "intimate tone".<ref name="I Am the Rain"/>

In 2018, Wright released the extended play titled ''[[Santa Will Find You!]]''. The album was a collection of [[Christmas music|Christmas]] songs, two of which had previously appeared on [[Mindy Smith]]'s project, ''[[My Holiday]]''. The album's release was followed by a ten-day holiday concert tour that began in [[Decatur, Georgia]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Graff |first1=Gary |title=Chely Wright Unwraps 'Santa Will Find You' From Holiday EP: Premiere |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8481682/chely-wright-santa-will-find-you |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> In March 2019, she released her third extended play, ''Revival.''<ref name="Allmusic"/> The five-song EP was produced by Jeremy Lister, who also performed on the record's lead single, "Say the Word".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Betts |first1=Stephen L. |title=Chely Wright Previews New 'Revival' EP With Joyous 'Say the Word' Songwriter's latest single is a luminescent slice of Seventies AM pop |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/chely-wright-say-the-word-song-826133/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, Wright returned to the stage of [[The Grand Ole Opry]] after a decade-long absence. Her last invitation to play the venue had been before publicly coming out in 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Betts |first1=Stephen L. |title=Why Chely Wright Had to Wait 10 Years to Play the Opry After Coming Out |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/chely-wright-coming-out-opry-873928/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref>

===Musical styles===
Wright's musical style is rooted in [[Country music|country]], but also in the genres of [[Americana (music)|Americana]] and [[Folk music|country-folk]].<ref name="Country Queer">{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=James |title=Chely Wright: Queer Country Pioneer Looks Back |url=https://countryqueer.com/stories/interview/chely-wright-interview/ |website=Country Queer |date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="I Am the Rain"/> Wright's early musical style was built on a traditional country platform. ''Roughstock'' called her first two albums with PolyGram/Mercury to be "traditional," while also incorporating quality songwriting material.<ref name="Roughstock">{{cite web |last1=Peacock |first1=Bobby |title=Bobby's One Hit Wonders: Volume VI: Chely Wright - Single White Female |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2012/12/16354-bobbys-one-hit-wonders-volume-vi-chely-wright-single-white-female |website=Roughstock |date=December 21, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> Critics have noted that Wright's MCA albums incorporated more contemporary styles, while also including the traditional country from her PolyGram days. Thom Owens of Allmusic found that 1997's ''Let Me In'' had "clean acoustic arrangements" and "only a few cuts [were] adorned with pop/rock instrumentation."<ref name="Let Me In"/> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] observed a similar trend with 1999's ''Single White Female'': "The record picks up where its predecessor left off, offering a selection of ten songs with clean, tasteful arrangements that place Wright in the forefront...Even when Wright and Brown shoot for the charts, they pull it off, since Chely never oversings and the instrumentation is never bombastic."<ref name="Single White Female"/>

With 2005's ''The Metropolitan Hotel,'' Wright stated that she made more of an effort to shift towards Americana. However, she also felt the need to mix in radio-friendly styles, according to a 2019 interview.<ref name="Country Queer"/> In a similar vein, Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that she had not "completely abandoned the sound of contemporary country-pop", but also had "stripped-back and direct" songs.<ref name="Metropolitan Hotel"/> Wright's musical sound moved further away from contemporary country sounds into the Americana format. Music journalists, such as Stephen L. Betts, observed her Americana transition in 2016's ''I Am the Rain.'' In the same 2019 article, Wright explained that her style remains anchored to country roots despite an Americana feel: "I want to be an artist that can be 60 years old sitting on stage at the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame telling stories and singing songs that would be appropriate for a 60-year-old woman".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Betts |first1=Stephen L. |title=Chely Wright, 'I Am the Rain' Album: Release Date, Special Guests Revealed |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/chely-wright-i-am-the-rain-album-release-date-special-guests-revealed-194503/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>