Editing Chely Wright (section)

===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>