VOA常速英语:'100 Proof' Reflects Big Changes for Kellie Pickler

Country singer Kellie Pickler made some big changes in her personal life and career during the past year.  Those changes are reflected on her new album, “100 Proof.”

Pickler says she finally found her creative identity on her third album, “100 Proof.”  With titles like “Where’s Tammy Wynette” and “Unlock That Honky Tonk,” the songs showcase her traditional Country roots and early musical influences.

Pickler grew up in North Carolina, where she fell in love with the music of Country legends Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn.  Although she envisioned following in their traditional Country footsteps, she was led into Nashville’s trendy Country-Pop direction on her first two albums.  She proved her talent with hits such as “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder” and “Best Days of Your Life.”

“Tough” was the first single released from “100 Proof.”  Although it failed to reach the Top 20, Pickler is confident that she made the right decision to take creative control of the project.  

Pickler co-wrote six songs on the album, including this ballad that she composed on Mother’s Day with her husband of one year, Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs.

“Mother’s Day” deals with the holiday Pickler never shared with her own mother.  Her mom claims she left the family due to physical abuse inflicted on her by Pickler’s father.

For “100 Proof,” Pickler switched producers, this time working with veteran hitmakers Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten.  They allowed her to be true to herself and not be concerned with making a record for the sake of achieving radio hits.

The most autobiographical song on “100 Proof” is “The Letter,” a track she wrote for her father, who battled alcohol and drug addiction and spent time in and out of prison during Pickler’s childhood years.  Happily, they stayed in contact and continue to have a close relationship.