Gretchen Wilson Inspired by Classic Billy Joel Hit

Gretchen Wilson may have left her record label, Sony, but that doesn't mean the talented singer has any plans of slowing down. Getting ready to release her first album on her own Redneck Records, 'I Got Your Country Right Here,' the Grammy winner who also became a spokesperson for adult education after earning her GED, says she finds her life's inspiration not from a country song, but in the lyrics to a Billy Joel tune.

"It's all just about bein' yourself, bein' honest with yourself. Either way, it's OK, you wake up with yourself,'" she quotes to GAC, reciting the lyrics from the piano man's '70s hit, 'My Life.'

"That statement meant so much to me, and it still does. And I think I'm trying to get that across to a lot of other people. I don't think people need to worry so much about what everybody else thinks."

"If you're happy with yourself," Gretchen continues, "and the way you live your life and you wake up every morning with a clear conscience and a good life, and a great family and people around you that love you and that care about you, you're doin' everything you're supposed to do."

With her first 'Greatest Hits' project released this week, Gretchen is continuing to move full-speed ahead, both as an artist and as the CEO of her label. "It's been a huge crash-course learning experience for me, but I'm happier than I've ever been to have this kind of 360-degree control of my career," she tells The Boot, "and to be able to just go with my gut on so many things."

Gretchen's first single, 'Work Hard, Play Harder' from the new album is already climbing the charts. 'I Got Your Country Right Here' will hit stores March 30.