An Interview with Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler is a native of Albemarle, N.C. She was born June 28 1986. She competed on American Idol in 2006. Before appearing on Idol Kellie Pickler was a roller-skating waitress at the local Sonic. Although she did not win, Kellie did sign a major label record deal with BNA Records and 19 Recordings. Her album, Small Town Girl, was released on Oct. 31, 2006, and entered the Billboard country albums chart at No. 1. Her first single, "Red High Heels," has continued its way up the chart on into 2007. Kellie Pickler is the best-selling new solo country artist of 2006, her CDSmall Town Girl became gold and on Jan 18thKellie Pickler was surprised on national television when she was presented with a gold album plaque during her appearance on ABC's show The View.

The View co-host Rosie O'Donnell has said that the show tried to get Dolly Parton to give Kellie the plaque, but the timing could not be worked out to make this happen. Kellie said, "This is awesome! It reinforces that my dreams are becoming a reality."

Kellie Pickler's bubbly TV presence has led to work as a red carpet correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where she got to interview several celebrity's on the red carpet. Kellie will tour with Brad Paisley in 2007.

20th Century Fox and 19 Television are currently working on a situational comedy that will be starring Kellie Pickler as a naïve small-town Southern girl who discovers her biological father is the state's governor. Today I spoke with Kellie Pickler on the phone for a brief interview. Here is the conversation we had.

What song on the CD was the most fun for you?

The most fun, oh gosh they were all great for me. Umm I love "Red High Heels" of course because it's kind of like my girls anthem. And I love shoes so that's always fun to sing about (laughing). "Things that Never Cross a Mans Mind" is probably one of my favorite upbeat tempo songs because it is just a sassy song, and it's a fun song.

What song on the CD is your favorite?

Didn't you Know How Much I Loved You? That's my favorite one.

I let Kellie know we have the CD and like every song on the CD. She enthusiastically replied

Thanks!!

Do you have any future plans to make a second album?

This album has just come out three months ago. So right now were just riding this one and we have only released one single so but I am planning to record again in the future but not until this album has done what it's going to.

Do you want to do duets with anyone? If so who?

If I could sing with anyone, it would be Dolly Parton.

Will there be a music video for I Wonder?

Yes we are actually getting ready to shoot that in the next two weeks I believe.

When will you have a fan mail address for the public to send your fan mail too?

Umm ... people have been sending mail everywhere. When we get one we'll let you know. Someone else with Kellie said he would make sure to get the information to me for all the fans to know exactly where to write.

Do you know when Kellie Pickler.com will be finished and up and running?

The other person said the splash page is up now and they should have the full site up in a few weeks. Kellie replied that they will put on the site where the fan mail can be sent.

What has been the most surprising thing to happen to you since being on American Idol?

Well my album just went gold two weeks ago. That was exciting.

On American Idol you were all so close, which of the girls was you closest to and which of the guys?

Probably the closest to, Oh I got very close to everyone in our own little way. Ace and I were very close like brother and sister, Bucky and I were super close, Chris and I were very close, Katharine and I and Mandisa and I.

Do you regret being so open about your parents from the beginning, do you wish you had kept it to your self?

No because the media was going to find out anyway and I thought it would be better if I came out and was honest about it rather than giving the people the opportunity to create their own story from hearsay. So I thought that if I came out in the beginning and just said this is how it is. Lay the cards on the table and was completely honest and upfront then it wouldn't give anyone the chance to say any thing different.

What are you doing until your tour with Brad Paisley starts in April?

Right now I've been doing a lot of radio and TV promotional stuff.

Do you now what songs you will sing on the tour?

I know were doing of course "Red High Heels" and the next single "I Wonder" and let's see we'll do several tracks from the album and then we'll probably do a few cover songs, definitely a Dolly song in their.

Do you know which Dolly song yet?

I don't know yet, were getting ready to start rehearsing for the tour in the next week or so.

What is the most meaningful gift you have received from a fan?

The most meaningful gift, gosh there have been so many. I think a really sweet gift that I just got was a crystal angel. It's beautiful I have it actually sitting on my nightstand by my bed. It's a little crystal angel and the lady that gave it to me she heard the song "My Angel" the one that I wrote for my grandmother she saw the gift and she bought it for me to kind of symbolize my Grandmother. So that was probably the sweetest gift that I've been given.

Do you know when the sitcom will begin taping?

Right now I just want to establish myself as a country artist. When ever we can fit in the time for that, their still writing the script and getting the story lines together, it's a very, very long process, it's not anything that is going to happen over night. We'll squeeze that in when we get the chance. Country music is number one to me and acting is second.

Are you planning to go back home in May for a 2^nd Kellie Day?

Umm... right now it's not marked on the calendar. I don't know where I'm going to be. I'll be on tour with Brad in May so maybe we'll be near Albemarle.

Have you had a chance to spend time with your family?

I see them very rarely. I mean I'm not very close with my family. I don't really see them very much.

How was it to go on Jay Leno and do the Red Carpet and meet all those celebrities?

That was awesome. Being able to meet Sandra Bullock and have her know who I am was an honor. It was amazing to be on the same carpet with these guys that I've admired my whole life.

How did it feel to realize so many of them knew you and think you are so talented?

It was so shocking to me because it's crazy to think that they know who I am. Then at the end of the day you think you know what their just normal people like us.

Kellie one last thing I was alerted by a fan of a little girl who's Mother recently passed away and the girl is a big fan of yours. The woman who contacted me wanted to know if it would be possible for you to send the little girl a autographed picture if I gave you the address.

Absolutely do you have it with you?

I gave Kellie the information and she said

We'll send that out for her today.

I am sure there will be a very happy little girl in a few days when she sees what is coming in the mail.

The impression we perceived from the show was that Kellie Pickler was kind of silly and I am sure at her young age she can be. However the impression I was left with after talking to Kellie is that she is a very smart girl. She knows what she wants in her life and her career. She was great to speak with and I see a long future in country music for Kellie Pickler.