Kellie Pickler Overview
One of country’s brightest new faces, Kellie Pickler rose to prominence in country music from very humble beginnings. Abandoned by her mother at the age of two, she went on to become a finalist on American Idol. She successfully parlayed that massive exposure into a major recording contract, which resulted in three consecutive top twenty hits from her debut album and a growing legion of very loyal fans. Renowned for her big voice, lively performances and Southern charm, the sky is the limit for this very talented and cute-as-a-button North Carolinian.
Origins and Early Successes
Born on June 28, 1986 in the small North Carolina town of Albemarle, Pickler’s mother left home when she was two-years old. Her father was in and out of jail for much of her childhood, so she was raised by her grandparents, Clyde and Faye. She attended North Stanly High School where she was a cheerleader. At her 2004 graduation, she sang the LeAnn Rimes’ song “On the Side of Angles.” Following high school, she worked for a spell as a waitress at a Sonic restaurant.
In 2005, Pickler sang on a televised talent show in Charlotte and finished in second place. She then won the Miss Stanly County beauty contest, which led to an unsuccessful bid for the Miss North Carolina crown in 2004.
Pickler Dazzles on American Idol
In the fall of 2005, Pickler successfully auditioned in Greensboro, North Carolina for a spot on the sixth season of American Idol. Bucky Covington, another future country star, tried out at those same auditions, and he also became a finalist on the show with Pickler. During her audition, she sang former American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson’s, hit “Since U Been Gone,” as well as a portion of Martina McBride’s classic hit, “A Broken Wing.”
Renowned American Idol curmudgeon, Simon Cowell, loved Pickler’s performance and voted her onto the show. He would go on to remark that he preferred Pickler over former American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood. Pickler was eventually voted off the show, but the massive exposure, coupled with what US Weekly described as her “sweet Southern style and ditzy demeanor,” garnered her major interest in Nashville.
Debut Album Hits No. 1
Shortly after being voted off American Idol, Pickler returned to a hero’s welcome and a parade in her hometown of Albemarle. She was presented with key to the city on what was proclaimed “Kellie Pickler Day” by the mayor. In July of 2006, 19 Recordings, a division of BNA Records, signed Pickler to her first major recording contract and sent her into the studio to begin work on her debut album. During that time she also toured various cities as part of the “American Idol Pop Tarts” ensemble.
On September 13, 2006, Pickler released her debut single, “Red High Heels,” which climbed to No. 15 on Billboard’s Country charts. Her first album, Small Town Girl, was released a month later, and it debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 all-genre chart. It eventually went gold, and she was presented with a gold record by Rosie O’Donnell on the television show, The View, which Pickler was co-hosting. Two more top 20 singles followed, including “I Wonder” (No. 14) and “Things that Never Cross a Man’s Mind” (No. 16).
Pickler Gains Momentum on Second Album
Pickler returned to the studio in 2007 to begin work on her follow-up album, Kellie Pickler. The album’s first single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” was released in mid-2008 and climbed into the top 25. Pickler co-wrote the next single, “Best Days of Your Life,” with her good friend and frequent touring partner, Taylor Swift. It became her first top 10 country hit.
In October of 2007 Pickler picked up an ASCAP award for co-writing her debut single “Red High Heels.” She would go on to be nominated for the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. Pickler and Swift toured extensively as part of Brad Paisley’s 2007 “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour. Ironically, both women were nominated for Top New Female Vocalist at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards, which Swift won.
Most Popular Kellie Pickler Songs
- “Best Days of Your Life”
- “I Wonder”
- “Red High Heels”
- “Things that Never Cross a Man’s Mind”
- “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful”
- “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You”
Kellie Pickler Discography