Sixth in 'American Idol,' Kellie Pickler is No. 1 in country hearts
By Keith Groller | Of The Morning Call
The ''American Idol'' class of 2006 -- Season 5 -- is doing quite well.
Chris Daughtry has become a bona-fide star, surpassing the two finalists, Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks.
Elliott Yamin has a new record getting considerable air play. Bucky Covington has a single that went to No. 6 on the country charts.
But the biggest star from season 5 may very well turn out to be sixth-place finisher Kellie Pickler.
Pickler's staying power seems to have as much to do with her rags-to-riches background (her mother relinquished custody when she was 2 and her father has struggled with booze and drugs) as it does with her singing.
Pickler can make you laugh with her mispronunciations and misunderstandings, but the 21-year-old from Albemarle, N.C., can belt out a song.
Tonight, as one of three opening acts for Brad Paisley, Pickler will show off several of the songs on her ''Small Town Girl'' debut, including ''I Wonder'' and ''Red High Heels,'' which both have made it to the top 15 on country singles charts.
And for those who think she's in the classic ''dumb blonde'' mode, know that she wrote five songs on ''Small Town Girl.''
''Everything has been a whirlwind since 'Idol' ended,'' Pickler says over the phone Tuesday from Hollywood, where she taped a segment of Jeff Foxworthy's ''Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?''
A TV sitcom has been put on hold for now as Pickler focuses on gaining traction in the music business. But she's following the same path as her idol Dolly Parton, and more recently, Reba McEntire, took to multi-faceted stardom.
''My heart has always been in country music,'' she says. ''But there are so many other things that interest me. I'm intrigued by TV and film and hope to cross over to those fields. There are so many different opportunities that have come my way, but I haven't changed as a person, nor do I intend to.''
She'd prefer, for example, to still drive her own car instead of being chauffered.
''There's a lot of glitz and glamor in this business, but at the end of the day, I'm still me,'' she says.
Getting to tour with Paisley has been a blessing for Pickler. She's learned from him how to slow down the pace and sift through all of the offers.
''We have the same management and he's given me a lot of good advice,'' Pickler says. ''He tells me to stand my ground and make decisions based on what is good for me.''
Pickler says she's also getting more comfortable on stage. She was nervous on her return appearance to ''American Idol'' last season.
''I think it's scarier going back the next year than competing because there are such high expectations for you. You know everybody involved and you don't want to let them down. But one thing I've learned is that you can't please everybody.''
Pickler says she and Carrie Underwood have encountered some resentment in Nashville for their quick rise, but Pickler feels she paid her dues.
''People only see 'Idol' as a reality show and have no idea how tough it can be when the cameras aren't rolling.'' she says. ''It's really music boot camp. I realize that I haven't spent 20 or 30 years working the bars in Nashville. But competing in front of millions of people on TV every week wasn't easy either. I feel as though I've earned my shot and now I'm just trying to make the most of it.''
keith.groller@mcall.com
Sixth in 'American Idol,' Kellie Pickler is No. 1 in country hearts -- themorningcall.com
I have heard a few names of these artist who "resent" and all they have done is lost album sales from me.... I know , so what right, I am just one person. Still, its the principal of it. No one is above anyone else in this world. Those who act like they are, have no place in mine.. 
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