They were known as members of the Muzik Mafia, a group of songwriters and performers who got together every Tuesday night to write songs, collaborate, play and have some fun, with or without help from the bar.

They were the “misfit toys” of Nashville, although nobody doubted their talent. This summer, Big & Rich’s album and Wilson’s album debuted at about the same time. The first added a lot more rock sound (and even rapping) than normal for a country album.

For her part, Wilson wrote a couple of anthems to her pickup truck-driving, redneck sisters (in fact, she was recently spotted pushing her tour manager’s pickup down a street in Nashville, believe it or not).

Together, they have made some of the splashiest and financially successful debuts country music has seen in years. In November, they join up, trading co-headlining spots on the Chevrolet Presents Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson: The American Revolution Tour.

Starting off in De Kalb, Ill., on November 5, the tour hits four cities in Texas (Wichita Falls, Belton, Dallas and Hidalgo) as well as Las Vegas and other cities before wrapping at Reno, Nev.’s Lawlor Events Center December 10.

John Nicholson and James Otto open on all dates.