Mindy Stephens
2010-05-26 00:21:27 UTC
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=5228
Wright on Time
Recently-out country singer Chely Wright will headline 2010 Capital
Pride Festival
By Yusef Najafi
Published on May 25, 2010, 5:59pm
Just a few days after announcing that Mya had cancelled her appearance
to headline Capital Pride's annual Festival, the Capital Pride
Alliance announced on Tuesday, May 24, that country singer Chely
Wright has taken her place.
Chely Wright
''She's not only the first out lesbian in country music to headline
our main stage, but as someone who is a strong advocate for LGBT youth
and people of faith, I think it's a really perfect example of how our
community has changed and continues to grow,'' Capital Pride executive
director Dyana Mason told Metro Weekly.
''Sometimes things just come together in surprising ways,'' Mason said
of getting Wright to perform at Pride. ''She recently came out and is
on a book tour right now and she was available when we called.''
Wright, 39, garnered attention with her 1997 hit ''Shut Up and
Drive,'' and again in 1999 with ''Single White Female.'' She
resurfaced this spring with a new album, Lifted Off the Ground, and an
autobiography, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer,
both released on May 4. Wright made headlines shortly before those
releases, coming out as a lesbian during a People magazine interview.
Mason says her appearance will fare well with D.C. audiences.
''The Metro-D.C. area is actually one of her strongest areas for CD
sales, so we're very excited and we think that this will not only
appeal to the LGBT community but also the allied community who are
already Chely Wright fans.''
Wright will perform on a stage slated to include performances by
several other artists during the festival, including club favorite
Inaya Day.
''What excited me about this festival is that we do have such a
diverse number of acts and having Chely as our headliner really caps
that off,'' Mason says.
''We're really excited to bring Chely to our main stage.''
For more on Capital Pride, visit capitalpride.org.
Wright on Time
Recently-out country singer Chely Wright will headline 2010 Capital
Pride Festival
By Yusef Najafi
Published on May 25, 2010, 5:59pm
Just a few days after announcing that Mya had cancelled her appearance
to headline Capital Pride's annual Festival, the Capital Pride
Alliance announced on Tuesday, May 24, that country singer Chely
Wright has taken her place.
Chely Wright
''She's not only the first out lesbian in country music to headline
our main stage, but as someone who is a strong advocate for LGBT youth
and people of faith, I think it's a really perfect example of how our
community has changed and continues to grow,'' Capital Pride executive
director Dyana Mason told Metro Weekly.
''Sometimes things just come together in surprising ways,'' Mason said
of getting Wright to perform at Pride. ''She recently came out and is
on a book tour right now and she was available when we called.''
Wright, 39, garnered attention with her 1997 hit ''Shut Up and
Drive,'' and again in 1999 with ''Single White Female.'' She
resurfaced this spring with a new album, Lifted Off the Ground, and an
autobiography, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer,
both released on May 4. Wright made headlines shortly before those
releases, coming out as a lesbian during a People magazine interview.
Mason says her appearance will fare well with D.C. audiences.
''The Metro-D.C. area is actually one of her strongest areas for CD
sales, so we're very excited and we think that this will not only
appeal to the LGBT community but also the allied community who are
already Chely Wright fans.''
Wright will perform on a stage slated to include performances by
several other artists during the festival, including club favorite
Inaya Day.
''What excited me about this festival is that we do have such a
diverse number of acts and having Chely as our headliner really caps
that off,'' Mason says.
''We're really excited to bring Chely to our main stage.''
For more on Capital Pride, visit capitalpride.org.