Country star Kellie PIckler back in Carolina
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 1, 2008
By Frank Roberts
EDENTON
Kellie Pickler has gone from Albemarle to the Albemarle.
The triple Country Music Television awards winner, who was born in Albemarle, N.C., will be in the Albemarle area this weekend.
Pickler, a past "American Idol" contestant, will headline a country music concert Saturday night as part of the second annual American Legion Post 40 Hog Fest.
Appropriate, because she hogged many awards with her song, "I Wonder." There was more acclaim for "Red High Heels."
Not bad for a just-getting-started 21 -year-old who could also get an award for being country music's constantly upbeat, always smiling-and-laughing performer.
"That's my personality. I'm just being myself," Pickler said during a phone interview from her Nashville home. "I have about 100 more calls to make today."
Pickler is in demand. She already has worked with several renowned musical artists, including Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins.
On "American Idol" Season 5, she was one of the top 12, except in judge Simon Cowell's eyes. She was tops with him. He predicted she would be in the top three and noted that he preferred Pickler over the previous season's winner, Carrie Underwood.
One of the things he and the audience enjoyed was her down-home, free and easy attitude, and her Southern charm.
Pickler gained attention by saying, among other things, that she had "hardly ever performed before real audiences."
Pickler was raised by grandparents in Palestine, near her birthplace, Albemarle.
"A lot of people ask me which Albemarle I'm from," she said, adding, "I know about the Albemarle Sound."
When she does her concert here, "you can expect cover songs and probably some Dolly songs," Pickler said, noting that Parton is her hero. "Every show is different.
"I feed off the audience. I'm working on a new album, and I might do some of those songs." 
You will definitely hear, "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind," which reached the top 10 on Billboard's country chart.
"And," she added, "I've got a big mouth, so you're liable to hear anything."
Finally, Pickler offered some of her philosophies. "Be thankful for every breath you take. Think positive and count your blessings. So many people have it a lot worse. Be thankful, appreciate life, be happy and smile."
There will be a lot of smiles Saturday and Sunday as people enjoy the arts and crafts show and sale, the nationally sanctioned lawn mower race, and the chicken and barbecue cook-offs.
Those who are going, hollar the new song names.
