Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler was raised primarily by her grandparents, Clyde Sr. and Faye Pickler, in North Carolina. A former high school cheerleader, Pickler auditioned for Season 5 of 'American Idol' in Greensboro, N.C. -- she sang Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing" -- and ultimately finished sixth in the competition. Post-'Idol', Pickler signed with 19 Recordings / BNA Records and released her debut single, "Red High Heels," in September 2006. She put out three albums on the label -- 'Small Town Girl', 'Kellie Pickler' and '100 Proof', with the first two going to No. 1 -- before signing with Black River Entertainment and releasing 'The Woman I Am' in 2013. The same year, Pickler was crowned the winner of Season 16 of 'Dancing With the Stars'. In 2012, she very publicly showed her support for her friend Summer, who was battling breast cancer, by shaving her head on 'Good Morning America,' and has continued to fundraise for the cause in various ways.

Chris Kyle's Parents Praise Country Music Community
Chris Kyle's Parents Praise Country Music Community
Chris Kyle's Parents Praise Country Music Community
The parents of Chris Kyle, the United States Navy SEAL who was killed in 2013, were in Nashville this weekend to help present Kellie Pickler with the Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award. Wayne and Deby Kyle kicked off the third day of the 2015 CMA Music Festival (June 13) by giving Pickler the award, and they say that their family has been touched by the outpouring of support from the country music community.

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