Kellie Pickler

July 11, 2007

American Idol comes to the National Cherry Festival with 2006 contestant Kellie Pickler, who will headline the Bayside Entertainment Stage Friday, July 13.
Pickler is a rising star in the world of country music. Avid fans of the show remember the perky Pickler as Simon’s favorite (Taylor Hicks won last year) with her small-town charm and ditzy demeanor. She finished sixth in the competition (try naming another sixth place finisher), and most thought Pickler would return to her small North Carolina town and show up occasionally on American Idol highlight reels. But while fans might not have seen her talent, the show’s producers did. In fact pesky Simon Cowell, while poking fun a Pickler’s naiveté, actually preferred her talents over 2005 winner Carrie Underwood’s, so she was signed to a record deal.
The show’s producers were proven correct in their assumption as Pickler’s debut CD “Small Town Girl” rose to number one on the Billboard country charts and reached number nine on the Top 200 Album charts. The album went gold in January of 2007 and is pushing platinum (one million in sales), with hit songs “Red High Heels” and “I Wonder,” leading the way.
Pickler has quickly become one of American Idol’s post-competition success stories. Like fourth place finisher Chris Daughtry (his band Daughtry has sold three million CDs), she has far outperformed the show’s winner and second-place finisher.

FLIPPING BURGERS
Pickler, who just turned 21 two weeks ago, is taking it all in stride.
“It really is all happening so fast,” said Pickler. “It seems like I was just flipping burgers yesterday.”
She was raised by her grandparents after her mother gave up parental custody when Pickler was two years of age. Her father (whom she describes as a drunk, a drug addict and deadbeat) was in jail for a stabbing incident at the time she was competing on American Idol.
She grew up idolizing old-school country artists. “I love Dolly Parton and it was a thrill to meet her earlier this year,” said Pickler. “I know they compare me to Jessica Simpson (critics have pegged her as the next Simpson) but for me a real honor will be if I am ever compared to Dolly Parton. I also grew up listening to and loving Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, June Carter and Loretta Lynn. Those ladies are definitely my musical influences.”
She has also been pegged to star in a situation comedy for television. The 30-minute show, has Pickler depict a naïve small-town southern woman who learns that her biological father is the governor of the state.
So how is Pickler keeping up with the pace of success?
“Red Bull,” laughs Pickler. “I drink a lot of it and I never sleep. I am like that Energizer Bunny – I just keep going.”
Pickler has moved to Nashville, the capital of country music and a community loaded with musicians. Has it been tough being the “new kid” in town?
“People here have been great,” said Pickler. “They have been very accepting of me.”

EARLY TALENT
According to her grandmother, Pickler began singing before talking. She remembers writing songs at an early age. For her current CD she wrote songs while on the 2006 summer American Idol concert tour.
“When I wasn’t on stage I was in the studio. As for my songwriting, I try to put a little of me into each song. When you are connected to the songs you sing, it makes a difference,” she said.
Pickler is definitely connected to her hit “Red High Heels,” as she wore a pair on American Idol. Her hit song and provocative video is what she likes to refer to as a “girls’ anthem” for walking out on that inattentive boyfriend. But with her good looks and multi-million dollar entertainment deals, Pickler isn’t having problems with guys. She is currently dating hockey player Jordan Tootoo of the Nashville Predators. Tootoo grew up in Canada eating caribou and whale blubber while Pickler describes her diet as simple and picky.
“I visited his hometown and tried some of those things,” said Pickler. “I don’t like seafood, so it was interesting.”
Okay, so no sushi or whitefish for Pickler when she comes to Traverse City. She does like cherries though.
Pickler has risen from childhood challenges through the support of her grandparents and her friends from the small community of Albemarle, North Carolina and her two secret ingredients.
“I either laughed about it or sung about it,” said Pickler. “Music and laughter have always been my approach. I was always the class clown.”
Check her out this Friday night at the Bayside Entertainment stage. The Cherry Festival has a knack for bringing in country artists that tend to make it big. Pickler seems on her way.

For a complete listing of all offer-ings at the Cherry Festival, visit
cherryfestival.org. The price for the Bayside Concerts is a onetime purchase of a $5 Festival pin and is good for the whole week.