Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters’ new CD, Hello Cruel World, spotlights a series of spare, evocative tunes filled with poetic imagery, and warmed by the earthy maturity of her honey-sweet voice. Gretchen calls the album her "most close-to-the-bone work, written at a time when I felt absolutely fearless about telling the truth." The songs revolve around themes of personal struggle and victory, and the ability to find strength, joy, and growth in everyday life.

After performing in the Boulder, Colorado folk circuit as a teenager, Gretchen relocated to Nashville where she broke out as a hit songwriter with "Independence Day," Martina McBride's 1995 country music mega-hit. This gritty story of an abused woman's revenge won a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song, and the Country Music Association's Song of the Year award. Since then, a string of great vocalists, including Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Neil Diamond, Etta James, and Faith Hill, have recorded Gretchen's songs. You owe it to yourself to hear them performed by the woman who created them! Gretchen is joined for the show by pianist Barry Walsh.

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Listen to a track from Gretchen Peters: