Kellie Pickler is an American country singer, actress, and TV personality who rose to fame as a sixth-place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Following her Idol success, she secured a recording contract with 19 Recordings and BNA Records. Her debut album, "Small Town Girl," released in 2006, achieved gold certification from the RIAA, selling over 900,000 copies. The album yielded three hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "Red High Heels," "I Wonder," and "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind."
June 28, 1986: Birth of Kellie Pickler
Kellie Dawn Pickler was born on June 28, 1986, at Stanly Memorial Hospital in Albemarle, North Carolina. This marks the beginning of her journey to becoming an American country music singer, actress, and television personality.
July 1989: Mother's Disappearance
Kellie Pickler's parents split up the day after her second birthday and her mother vanished in July 1989.
1992: Mother's Return
Kellie Pickler's mother returned in 1992 after disappearing a few years earlier.
March 1995: Mother's Return and Custody Battle
Kellie Pickler's mother returned in 1992 but rarely made contact. However, in March 1995, her mother was granted custody while her father was incarcerated.
1997: Custody Granted to Grandparents
In 1997, a court granted custody of Kellie Pickler to her grandparents.
2003: Father's Incarceration
Kellie Pickler's father was incarcerated for aggravated assault and battery in 2003.
2004: High School Graduation
In 2004, Kellie Pickler graduated from North Stanly High School in New London, North Carolina. She was a cheerleader and performed "On the Side of Angels" by LeAnn Rimes at her graduation.
2005: American Idol Audition
In the fall of 2005, Kellie Pickler auditioned for American Idol in Greensboro, North Carolina, singing Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing". She was sent to Hollywood and advanced through the semi-final rounds, reaching the Top 12 on March 9.
February 2006: Interview with Charlotte Observer
In February 2006, Kellie Pickler discussed her difficult childhood with the Charlotte Observer.
April 2006: Interview with NBC
In April 2006, Kellie Pickler gave an interview with NBC where she discussed forgiveness.
May 6, 2006: Kellie Pickler Day
On May 6, 2006, Kellie Pickler returned to Albemarle, North Carolina, for a parade and reunion with her father. She received a key to the city and the day was proclaimed as "Kellie Pickler Day" by the mayor. She was also honored with numerous awards from local and statewide government officials for her accomplishments on American Idol.
July 17, 2006: Record Deal Signing
On July 17, 2006, Kellie Pickler signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Records. She announced this milestone on The View and subsequently joined the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2006, performing in various cities while working on her album.
September 13, 2006: Debut Single Release
On September 13, 2006, Kellie Pickler released her debut single, "Red High Heels". The song marked the beginning of her recording career and was followed by a music video release on October 26, 2006.
October 26, 2006: Red High Heels Music Video
On October 26, 2006, the music video for Kellie Pickler's debut single, "Red High Heels", was officially released. The video received a nomination for the CMT Video Awards for "Breakthrough Video of the Year".
October 31, 2006: Small Town Girl Album Release
Kellie Pickler's debut album, Small Town Girl, was released on October 31, 2006. It topped Billboard's Top Country Albums and landed at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling over 79,000 copies in its first week.
November 12, 2006: Performance for N.C. Children's PROMISE
On November 12, 2006, Kellie Pickler performed to help raise funds for the "N.C. Children's PROMISE" to benefit the Children's Hospital.
December 16, 2006: Performance for NFL Youth Education Towns Boys & Girls Club
On December 16, 2006, Kellie Pickler performed to help raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina-damaged NFL Youth Education Towns Boys & Girls Club of New Orleans.
2006: Debut Album Release
In 2006, Kellie Pickler signed with 19 Recordings and BNA Records, and released her debut album, Small Town Girl. The album sold over 900,000 copies and produced three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album was certified gold by the RIAA.
January 12, 2007: Visit to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Kellie Pickler visited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on January 12, 2007.
January 18, 2007: Co-Hosting The View
On January 18, 2007, Kellie Pickler co-hosted The View and was presented with a gold record by Rosie O'Donnell, certifying her album reached the 500,000 sales mark. She also performed her second single, "I Wonder", on national television for the first time.
February 1, 2007: Visit to Pennington Elementary School
On February 1, 2007, Kellie Pickler visited Pennington Elementary School.
April 2007: Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour
From April 2007 through October 2007, Kellie Pickler was part of Brad Paisley's "Bonfires & Amplifiers" concert tour as one of the opening acts, performing in at least 37 cities across North America.
September 2007: Release of Santa Baby Version
In September 2007, Kellie Pickler released a version of "Santa Baby" for a Christmas country compilation, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
November 2007: Pickler on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"
In November 2007, Kellie Pickler appeared on a celebrity edition of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?", representing the American Red Cross and the AARP's Grandparenting Program. During the show, her geographical knowledge was tested when she was unable to name the European country for which Budapest is the capital.
2007: Pickler's First USO Tour
Kellie Pickler embarked on her first USO tour in late 2007 and early 2008, traveling to Iraq to perform for US troops.
2007: Relationship with Jordin Tootoo
Kellie Pickler was in a relationship with Nashville Predators player Jordin Tootoo in 2007. The couple later broke up.
May 18, 2008: ACM Awards Performance
On May 18, 2008, Kellie Pickler performed her single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful", at the ACM Awards, receiving a positive response from the audience. She was also nominated for "Top New Female Vocalist".
June 2008: Don't You Know You're Beautiful Release
In June 2008, Kellie Pickler released "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" to radio. The single became a Top 25 hit, peaking at number twenty-one.
September 30, 2008: Release of Second Album
Kellie Pickler released her second album, Kellie Pickler, on September 30, 2008. The album debuted at the top of the country chart and at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling over 43,000 copies in its first week.
November 12, 2008: CMA Awards Performance
On November 12, 2008, Kellie Pickler performed the second single from her album Best Days of Your Life at the CMA Awards. She was also nominated for "New Artist of the Year" for the second year in a row.
November 2008: Best Days of Your Life Release
In November 2008, Kellie Pickler's song "Best Days of Your Life" made its radio debut. The song became her first Top 10 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number nine in August 2009.
2008: Second Album Release
In 2008, Kellie Pickler released her self-titled second album, which produced four singles including "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" and "Best Days of Your Life". The album was successful on the charts and marked a significant development in her music career.
August 2009: Pickler on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
Kellie Pickler participated in ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in August 2009, assisting in the rebuilding of James Terpenning's family home in Beavercreek, Ohio. Pickler contributed by performing a free concert at the home and helping with the reconstruction.
August 2009: Best Days of Your Life Chart Peak
In August 2009, "Best Days of Your Life" peaked at number nine on the Hot Country Songs chart, marking Kellie Pickler's first Top 10 hit.
August 30, 2009: "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" Release
On August 30, 2009, Kellie Pickler released "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You", a re-recording from her debut album, as a single.
2009: Fearless Tour and Headline Concert Tour
In 2009, Kellie Pickler joined Taylor Swift on the first leg of her Fearless Tour and later embarked on her own headline concert tour to promote her self-titled album. She also joined the second leg of the Fearless Tour later that year.
2009: CMT Music Awards Nomination
In 2009, Kellie Pickler was nominated for "Female Video of the Year" at the CMT Music Awards for "Don't You Know You're Beautiful". Although she lost to Taylor Swift, Pickler also presented the award for "USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year" with Idol judge Randy Jackson.
January 2010: Pickler's USO Tour to Iraq and Kuwait
In January 2010, Kellie Pickler went on a 10-day USO tour with Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson, performing for troops in Iraq and Kuwait, often near war zones.
February 2010: "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" Charts
In February 2010, Kellie Pickler's single "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" reached the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number fourteen.
April 19, 2010: "Makin' Me Fall in Love Again" Release
On April 19, 2010, Kellie Pickler released "Makin' Me Fall in Love Again" as a single from her self-titled album.
June 15, 2010: Engagement to Kyle Jacobs
Kellie Pickler became engaged to songwriter Kyle Jacobs on June 15, 2010, after two and a half years of dating.
January 1, 2011: Marriage to Kyle Jacobs
Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs eloped and married in a private ceremony in the Caribbean on January 1, 2011.
June 13, 2011: "Tough" Release
Kellie Pickler released "Tough" on June 13, 2011, as the lead single from her upcoming album.
2011: Marriage to Kyle Jacobs
In 2011, Kellie Pickler married Nashville songwriter and record producer Kyle Jacobs, marking a significant moment in her personal life.
January 24, 2012: "100 Proof" Release
On January 24, 2012, Kellie Pickler released her third studio album, "100 Proof".
April 2012: "100 Proof" Single Release
In April 2012, Kellie Pickler released the title track from her album "100 Proof" as a single.
June 27, 2012: Departure from Sony Nashville
On June 27, 2012, Kellie Pickler parted ways with her record label, Sony Nashville.
July 10, 2012: Performance at MLB All-Star Game
Kellie Pickler performed "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 10, 2012.
October 8, 2012: Signing with Black River Entertainment
On October 8, 2012, Kellie Pickler signed with the independent record label Black River Entertainment.
May 14, 2013: "Someone Somewhere Tonight" Release
On May 14, 2013, Kellie Pickler released "Someone Somewhere Tonight", her first single with Black River Entertainment.
May 21, 2013: Winning Dancing with the Stars
On May 21, 2013, Kellie Pickler and her partner, Derek Hough, won the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, showcasing her versatility and talent beyond singing.
July 2013: "Someone Somewhere Tonight" Charts
In July 2013, Kellie Pickler's single "Someone Somewhere Tonight" peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
November 11, 2013: "The Woman I Am" Release
Kellie Pickler's fourth studio album, "The Woman I Am", was released on November 11, 2013.
November 25, 2013: Performance on Dancing with the Stars
On November 25, 2013, Kellie Pickler performed "Little Bit Gypsy" on an episode of Dancing with the Stars.
2013: VeggieTales Role
In 2013, Kellie Pickler was cast as Mirabelle in the VeggieTales video "Beauty and the Beet".
October 14, 2014: "Beauty and the Beet" Release
Kellie Pickler starred as Mirabelle in the fiftieth VeggieTales video, "Beauty and the Beet", which was released on October 14, 2014.
June 2, 2015: "Feeling Tonight" Release
On June 2, 2015, Kellie Pickler released the promotional single "Feeling Tonight" as a digital download.
November 5, 2015: "I Love Kellie Pickler" Premiere
Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs' reality show, "I Love Kellie Pickler", premiered on CMT on November 5, 2015.
June 2016: Departure from Black River Entertainment
Kellie Pickler parted ways with Black River Entertainment in June 2016.
June 26, 2016: Pickler Wins on "Celebrity Family Feud"
On June 26, 2016, Kellie Pickler and her team appeared on "Celebrity Family Feud", winning $25,000 for her charity, the USO.
2016: Induction into North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
In 2016, Kellie Pickler was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions and achievements in the music industry.
2017: Co-Hosting Pickler & Ben
From 2017 to 2019, Kellie Pickler co-hosted the nationally syndicated daytime TV talk show Pickler & Ben with comedian Ben Aaron, expanding her career into television hosting.
2019: End of Pickler & Ben
In 2019, the daytime TV talk show Pickler & Ben, co-hosted by Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron, concluded its run.
February 2022: SiriusXM DJ
Kellie Pickler began working as a DJ on SiriusXM's country music station, The Highway, in February 2022.
February 17, 2023: Kyle Jacobs' Death
On February 17, 2023, Kellie Pickler's husband, Kyle Jacobs, died in Nashville, Tennessee.
2023: Kyle Jacobs' Passing
In 2023, Kellie Pickler's husband, Kyle Jacobs, tragically passed away by suicide, marking a challenging period in her life.