A native Kansan, Chely grew up in a musical family. At age 11, she began to sing with local bands and eventually started her own called "County Line". Before graduating high school, she took a job with the Ozark Jubilee, a long running country show in Branson, MO. Taking the advice of her grandfather, she auditioned and landed a position in a musical production at Opryland USA. While staying in Nashville, Chely interned and attended writers' nights, while honing her singing and songwriting. In 1992, she was signed by Harold Shedd to Mercury/Polygram, and her first album was released in 1994 on the corporation's Polydor label.

After releasing two unsuccessful albums through Mercury/Polygram, Wright asked to be released from her contract and later signed with MCA Nashville. Here, she had her first top twenty country hit in 1997 with the song "Shut Up and Drive," off her third album, "Let Me In", which was released by MCA Nashville. In 1999, her fourth album, "Single White Female", brought her several hit songs and her first gold album certification. While working on her next album, Wright collaborated with fellow country artist Brad Paisleyon a duet entitled "Hard to Be a Husband, Hard to Be a Wife," which was written for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. Paisley and Wright performed the song during a CBS television special and it was released as part of a collection of songs from that special. The duet was later nominated for Vocal Event Of The Year as part of the 35th Annual CMA Awards. Additionally, Wright joined with Diamond Rio for a song on their One More Day album, as well as Paisley's Part II album. Both were released in 2001. Chely was also featured in People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001.

She was recognized by MENC in 2001 with its "Stand Up For Music Award". Later that year, Wright released the first single from her fifth studio album, "Never Love You Enough". The release marked a sexier side to Chely with the growing fad of sexy country singers (i.e. Shania Twain). Although Never Love You Enough debuted at #4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, it was unable to match the success of Single White Female. Many speculated that the album's poor performance was due to the recent tragic events of 9/11 and the country's shift towards patriotic music.

In 2002 Chely was presented with the MEMC's "Fame Award" for her Reading, Writing and Rhythm Foundation. Later that year, she was ranked #93 on the FHM "100 Sexiest Women of 2002"and later that year was ranked #18 of "The 20 Hottest Women in Music 2002". In 2003, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the American Legion Auxiliary and "Kansan of the Year" for her career achievements, her charity work and her support of the U.S. armed forces.

In 2003, Chely parted ways with MCA Nashville after "Never Love You Enough" failed to meet sales expectations. In January 2004, she signed with a new independent label, Vivaton, and began preparation for a new album. Although a music video was released for a song entitled "The Back of the Bottom Drawer," the album never materialized. Wright announced she was splitting with Vivaton in June 2004.

Wright's sixth album, "The Metropolitan Hotel", was released in February of 2005 on Dualtone Records. The CD included both "The Bumper of My S.U.V." and "Back of the Bottom Drawer," along with ten additional songs, most of which were written or co-written by Wright. The album itself was produced in conjunction with her own company. Although not a break-out commercial hit, debuting at #18 on Billboard's Top Country chart (it was #7 on the Top Independent Albums chart), The Metropolitan Hotel gained critical praise, especially for "The River." Wright signed to Vanguard Records in 2008. She will release her seventh full album, Notes to the Coroner, in 2009.