Someone Please Tell Kellie Pickler About France
Does it really matter to her or to us that Kellie Pickler revealed on a recent TV quiz show that she had never heard of Hungary, thought that Europe was a country and was uncertain whether or not France was one? I think so. I think we're both somewhat damaged by her geographical innocence. Perhaps you can write off her obliviousness to Hungary as a failure of American education. After all, that nation doesn't get much space in post-Cold War high school history books. But how could Pickler have been awake and not been aware of the most basic fact about France? It's in the news virtually every day -- and has been for the duration of her young life.
You can make the argument (and I sometimes do) that there are only two reasons for learning facts. The first is if knowing them makes you happy. Think of the joy some people get from memorizing sports statistics for which there is otherwise no practical use. The second reason is if knowing facts gives you more control over your life. Maybe they help you pass tests to get into college, perform better on a job or diagnose your own illnesses. It's obvious that Pickler found no delight in knowing geographical facts, and it's equally clear that not knowing them has not impaired her career as a singer and songwriter. Even so, her ignorance on that occasion was so cavernous that I suspect people will henceforth think "dumb blonde" rather than "great singer" when they hear her name. That's unfortunate and unfair. She has blank spaces, but she's not dumb. In fact, when it comes to making it from one day to the next, I figure she could outwit many of us who know more but dare less.
Still, as one who enjoys the benefits of being an adult citizen of America, Pickler has a duty to know certain things so she can act sensibly on them for the common good -- just as she has a duty to pay taxes. Citizenship isn't a free ride. We who are empowered by our voices and our votes to run the ship of state shouldn't embark without maps. Maybe if more of us had known "the difference in Iraq and Iran" (as Alan Jackson puts it), we could have spared the world a catastrophic war.
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hotelmotel says:
Is Kellie Pickler really ignorant about France or is this just part of her act? I don’t know.
But I do know that entertainers want attention, that no publicity is bad publicity, and that Kellie Pickler’s ignorance is getting her a lot of attention and helping her sell CDs.
Part of me finds it easier, if not easy, to forgive Pickler for being ignorant (or pretending to be ignorant) than to forgive a culture that enables her to turn ignorance, real or feigned, into celebrity.
In any case, Pickler’s music is fairly run of the mill. Theres a lot better stuff out there.
Old Goat says:
I don’t care if Kellie knows a damn thing about Europe and today with the European Union they are almost just country states,similiar to our republic.Kellie is a good singer and a very naturally funny performer and her naitivity is honest and charming.She either wasn’t a good student in school or she wasn’t taught.She certainly isn’t stupid when it comes to her career it seems.I can’t wait for her next album maybe it will have her”Redneck Woman” or “Before He Cheats” in it to show what a singing star she really is she has a very good voice not taken advantage of to date.
Just Joe says:
Whether it’s legitimate stupidity or just an act, it’s the only thing that’s helping her sell CDs because she has zero talent.
FACE says:
RE: Someone Please Tell Kellie Pickler About France…
Yup, ignorance doesn’t necessarily translate into stupidity; and as (I am) a musician, I totally appreciate her interpretation of songs, and her voice.
As far as France goes…sometimes I choose to NOT recognize them as a country (heh heh)
FACE
OutlawSteph says:
I feel sorry for the intelligent young people out there who have this sort of image to represent their generation. I’m sure they are out there learning their instruments and their school work, but you won’t see them with a record contract or on television like Miss Pickler. Very sad indeed. And I thought my own Gen X had it bad.
When I was growing up, I always enjoyed ‘topical songs’ whether they were about current events or old songs. I would listen to songs like Turn, Turn, Turn, written by Pete Seeger, because they made me think. I still do. Many country songs are more dogmatic, and that is a concern of mine as well. They aren’t “thinking songs” like your typical topical songs were. BTW, I recently saw a documentary about Pete Seeger in a movie theatre last month. What a great American and role model for us all.
Anyhow, I agree with Ed’s blog and worry about the same thing that hotelmotel does in term of using her ignorance (or a made up ignorant image) as a way to market whatever disposable product it is they are selling. Please just throw it away and let the girl go to school.
-Stephanie
Just Joe says:
Outlaw Steph,
I agree with you 100%. It’s a shame that actual God-given talent takes a backseat to looks. Money talks as well. I have a friend in Nashville trying to make it and the only reason Taylor Swift got a record deal was because her rich daddy paid for the recording of her first album.
I hope greed ultimately turns around and bites them in the butt and it can go back to being about the music again, not the almighty dollar. Perhaps the arrogance of the record labels believing ten years ago that downloading wouldn’t be problematic is the pair of teeth sinking into their cheeks.
JEF says:
Why don’t you go pick on someone else for a change. I’m sick of this subject. It seems to me people are just jealous of her success. She’s a beautiful and kind young lady with lots of talent. I’m waiting for Kellie’s next album to come out and hope it’s a great hit!
Chris says:
Kellie went on the show to raise $50,000 for charities, not to impress or prove book smarts. Others on the show even some with college degrees didn’t do as well as she did. Kellie is one of the most talented singers and performers today and doesn’t get the credit, promotion, or airplay her great music deserves. I for one am glad she paid more attention to singing than books. There are more than enough smart, boring individuals to take care of other things. Many people don’t watch or read daily news. Kellie said her schools didn’t teach half the stuff on 5th Grader. Having attended both advanced and standard classes in NC public schools myself, the difference in knowledge and teaching is very significant and can vary among different school systems. Kellie also did not have the support of her parents. Don’t worry, be happy, and just listen to the damn music.
Chris says:
Just Joe wouldn’t recognize talent if it slapped him. Kellie and Taylor are very talented and Taylor got a record deal because she knocked on doors and eventually met Scott Borchetta, who was starting a new label at the time. Prior to then she was turned down by the majors because she was “too young.” Anyone with a computer can record an album and you don’t have to be rich to do it. If your Nashville friend is so talented, maybe you can convince him to stand in line for American Idol or Nashville Star auditions and try to outperform over 100,000 others like Carrie, Kellie, and Miranda did, and like LeAnn Rimes and others did on older shows like Star Search. If it wasn’t for Porter’s TV show would Dolly be so famous?
Chris says:
Has anyone else here seen “Kellie Pickler: My USO Diaries” on GAC? It’s excellent, Kellie did a great job on her USO tour, and I suspect she prefers on the job training like so many of the men and women in uniform she went to visit in Iraq do.
Simon says:
Who is Kellie Pickler? i doubt anyone in France has ever heard of her so I wouldnt get too concerned about her not knowing about France - she will not be touring or selling albums there anytime soon! :-)
Just Joe says:
Chris,
You’re so naive. I used to be like you. I was shocked at all the secrets of the business that my friend told me about. Sure, the press release says that “Taylor knocked on doors, blah blah blah.” Have you heard of a publicist? Their job is to put out press releases to make the singer look good. However, they never include the real story.
Sure, you can make a cd on a home computer, but if you want to get on the Billboard charts, you have to have a major or successful minor label record deal, ala Sony, Big Machine, ect. American Idol and Nashville Star are nothing more than beauty contests voted by the public. These type tv shows are a slap in the face of the authentically talented folks busting their butts in L.A., NY, and Nashville trying to get noticed.
Chris says:
Just Joe, your comments are incorrect and aren’t based on reality, and you say I’m naive? Saying “the only reason Taylor Swift got a record deal was because her rich daddy paid for the recording of her first album” is ridiculous. I’m sure many parents have paid for album recordings for their kids who didn’t get deals. In fact Carrie made 3 albums before she was professionally discovered by the big label on American Idol, and they said they could not believe no one had discovered her yet. Of course I’ve heard of publicists, however I wasn’t even referring to information Taylor’s publicist put out, I was referring to what she herself said. Taylor is probably the most persistant teen in the business and most people wouldn’t even try nearly as hard or long as she did. Unlike millions of others, Taylor’s parents moved to Nashville when she was about 12 so she could start her career, which started with a publishing (songwriting) deal not a recording deal, which took years to obtain. It’s a fact that Taylor met label veteran Scott Borchetta when he was starting Big Machine and that’s how she got signed. Scott’s label has Toby Keith and big money behind it and would not need Taylor’s parents to pay for recording.
“American Idol and Nashville Star are nothing more than beauty contests voted by the public” is another ridiculous statement. They are overall performance contests and the fact is that if you compete on American Idol or Nashville Star you must be good enough to get and keep your record deal, actually sell many records, sell out concerts and land spots on major tours. Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry are the only 2 non-winners and non-runners-up Sony BMG chose to sign in 6 seasons and they made great albums and perform great concerts, and many sell out. You can bet if Sony BMG didn’t sign them they would have been signed by other labels in a heartbeat. Sony BMG recently dropped 2 other great looking people, the winner and runner-up from the same season, due to poor sales of average albums. If LeAnn, Kelly, Carrie, Kellie, Miranda, and the rest of the best who competed on American Idol, Nashville Star, etc. couldn’t sing, perform, write, or play guitar and just looked good then they would not be where they are today. Plenty of great looking people get turned away at the American Idol auditions just because they can’t sing as well as others who audition. The voting public consists of the same people who choose whether or not to buy records and pay for concert tickets.
Now of course looks do play a part in the business no matter where or how an artist is discovered. Since society is focused on looks it would be very difficult to market ugly people. This became fact long ago, way back when MTV started showing music videos and they became a requirement. If a talent scout has to choose between 2 equally talented people and one looks better, of course he going to choose the better looking one. Looks are often important for advancement in other careers as well, not just the music business. It’s the same reason why usually the best looking people work in TV instead of radio, as I’ve heard DJs say on air. Apply for a TV news anchor job and they will do an on camera test. Maybe you’ve seen the show one of the big news shows (20/20, 60 Minutes, or 48 Hours) did about this when they used hidden cameras to prove better looking people get “yes” answers more often. Dressing well also helps. You wouldn’t go on a big professional job interview wearing ugly dirty clothes and expect to get the job. There’s nothing we can do about this since we can’t forcibly change how the masses think and buy music. Don’t blame Kellie, Taylor, American Idol, etc. for your friend’s lack of success. There are thousands of hopefuls vying for record deals and only a few deals available, so the odds are much worse than the job market. So yes, generally one must be talented and marketable, in other words do something to stand out from the crowd, to make it in the music business. You say you don’t want it to be about the almighty dollar. So what then, other than just the music, is your Nashville friend trying to “make” in Nashville if it’s not almighty dollars? Not many people can afford to quit work and play for free.
libbyrose says:
WHAT…WHAT…WHAT…is all this being published on Kellie’s Fansite for???????????????We, the fans, come here to hear what is going on with our favorite singer…not to have to read such garbage….Am so surprised the management of this site is allowing this…Shame on you….
Lizbeth says:
Let’s see, I am 54 years old and I don’t know crap about Europe & could care less. Knowing Europe has never put food on my table, paid my bills & it has never been an issue in my life. I don’t live my life to prove anything to anyone. The only person I am accountable to is GOD. I am too busy trying to work a job, pay my bills & spend time with my family. It is much more important to me to listen to Kellie sing and see the smile on her face and the smiles she puts on others faces than to know if she is a whiz kid or not. The bigger picture is not where you started from, not the bumps on the way but what you will say when you stand in front of your maker someday & believe me, I don’t think God will be interested in your knowledge. So tell me, how many people have you helped today? How many smiles have you put on faces today? You go Kellie, I love you just the way you are & if more people where like Kellie then we wouldn’t be having this discussion because Kellie would never say anything ugly to anyone or about anyone. What more could you want for a role model?
Lizbeth says:
I have to disagree that Kellie needs to go back to school. It seems to me she is getting more of an education since she entered into the music business and making more money than everybody put together on this board & having a whole lot more fun doing it. Thinking may be good but it is work & using your God given talent that makes your dreams come true.
agur3046 says:
I disagree with your view on Iraq, I think we’re doing them and the Region a favor and also it helps to add a new front on the War on Terror.
Be that as it may, thank you for defending Kellie. Kellie is a great person, thought she doesn’t know a whole lot, that doesn’t say anything about her morality. Intellectual knowledge can get you far but doesn’t necesarely make you a good person, in fact, it can make you arrogant. Being ignorant doesn’t necessarily make you good either, in fact, “Stupid is, what stupid does.” However, it does make you humble.
agur3046 says:
Now, i’m a big believer on education, I believe that everyone needs to be learned, it defines the kind of people we are in the world’s eye. We use to be leading in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering, but because of the decline in familiy values, the media, and hollywood, education is no longer valued as much, but fulfilling one’s desires is.
Kellie should have paid attention in school, should have cared for what she’s learning, but what Chris said is also true; she may have not been taught to value education, she didn’t have parents to teacher her that in the first place. That is not to excuse her disinterest. If she’s going to sing and be a role model, she needs to do things kids ought to do, and learning is one of them.
I don’t know Kellie but I think she already understands what’s at stake. She is already decent in her wardrobe, her songs are reasonably clean, and not edgy. She needs to avoid saying bad words however, show less cleavage (based on a picture i’ve seen), but overall, she knows she has young fans who idolize her, and fans like myself who are looking for decent music so to add sex into her music like so many pop and rap artist has done, act irresponsably as many of the young stars have done, use drugs, get drunk exc, then she let her fans down.
agur3046 says:
BTW, I should rephrase. We need to be intelligent but not to impress the world. However:
If we are educated, the world knows that America is smart, full of intelligent people who can discern error from truth.
If we are a Moral or God-fearing people, the world knows that we are a good people, decent, and wise so no propaganda from our enemies can be believed.
If we are dilligent, hard working, and disciplined people, the world knows that they can depend on us.
But if we lack on these things, we will be looked down upon, called evil, distrusted, and the only thing that will come out of us are entertainers but overall good for nothing. Our enemies will have an excuse against us.
agur3046 says:
Sorry one more thing, if Kellie is taught to value her education, she would have… thats it for me.
Lizbeth says:
I value education unfortunately there are many stupid educated people. Look at the leaders of our country for example, they can’t even balance a budget. Some of these leaders are Harvard, Princeton & and other high esteemed school graduates. Funny, how people expect so much from a young woman who just wants to sing & please others but don’t demand the same of the leaders of their own country. I think you are right about morals lacking in this country but there is also a lack of pure common sense.
agur3046 says:
Lizbeth, great reasoning :) Some people do need education but it isn’t necessary that each person is an intellectual. I believe that people need to value learning but all need not be in the calibre of a scholar for example. As a Christian, I believe that all people are given gifts to fit according to the needs of others. God emphasize loving each other by the means He gives us. But as a singer:
Does Kellie needs to be trained in Logic to write music? Does she needs to be having a master’s degree in Psychology to listen to and know the mind of her fans? Does she need straight A’s in Humanities to care? Does she need a Doctrate’s degree in Theology to act accordingly? Majored in History to love our Country, Philosophy to expound the meaning of her lyrics? NOTHING!
It’s great to know them anyways, but can a degree help in healing? Can any of the learning above, help people in the long run? NO. You’re right, people put way too much expectations on her. She didn’t mean to embarrass our country, she didn’t mean to add to the steryotype, she didn’t mean at all to offend anybody. All she knew is that she wanted to help out so what’s wrong with that?
God bless
Sam says:
||Let’s see, I am 54 years old and I don’t know crap about Europe & could care less. ||
You do know that there are only 8 continents on Earth, right? Europe is one of those. I suppose it isn’t necessary to know anything about each continent outside the one you live on, but unless your brain really can’t hold more than two facts, everyone who has been through elementary school should know the names of all the continents. This person deserves ridicule for displaying such ignorance and considering the poverty in the US alone it’s disgusting that she is going to be making millions of dollars while not knowing basic facts about the world she lives on. She was lucky enough to get an education it’s unfortunate that she couldn’t retain any of the information she should have learned.
|| The only person I am accountable to is GOD.||
God isn’t a person and outside of being a creation of man, if there is actually a higher being I doubt that being would care whether or not you think about it.
Lizbeth says:
Sorry, Sam. I only care about the facts that I have used all my life & geography has not been one of them. And, yes God is a person to me, he my Father & he has given me the most valuable education that I will carry well beyond my grave. As for Kellie she was on a show with kids for goodness sake. I am sure Kellie is well aware of poverty, why else would she have been on the show to begin with or why has she performed hundreds of free concerts to raise money for St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital? Your only motive on this blog is to make yourself feel better & smarter. You are nothing more than a snob with an overblown ego.
Dr. Evil says:
The person who wrote this blob is a fool. I suppose next they will be complaining about the things Kellie said in her Jay Leno comedy bits. Learn to get a sense of humor already if you feel people need to learn something. More people in Europe, France, and Hungury know who Kellie is ,because of this comedy game show, far more than any other country singer so why sit here and whine about this or does your sick twisted logic feel all singers must have college degree’s in order to entertain. Seeing how Kellie received the highest ratings in history for that game show just proves your opinion is in the minority. Seeing how Kellie stole the show and received a standing ovation at the Country Music Award’s Show proves why Kellie is selling so many CDs, it’s not because of her comedy bits like someone tried to imply here, but I’d expect such comments from fans of other singers who are jealous of Kellie’s success and personality outshining their favorites.
Kellie Pickler rules country music, lame acts like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are the reason the country music industry has suffered and is on the decline the past couple years, until the industry wakes up to that fact they will continue to see their numbers go down. The country music fans have had enough of having their music dictated to them and the low numbers prove it. The industry has no one to blame but themselves for ignoring the one talent that can save them. Until the industry changes it’s ways I will continue to watch their numbers fall and laugh at the fools in charge and the lame talent they present. As long as I have CD’s like Kellie’s I’m happy! As for the country music industry, they can crash and burn for all I care, that’s what they deserve for ignoring what the country music fans really want.
DeAnn Chandler says:
Kellie Pickler is from my town. I know some of her high school teachers and they all tell me that Kellie is really smart. I think all of that dumb stuff on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader was a put on for the show. I know that Kellie really didn’t think that Europe was a country and that they speak French in Hungary. I really think that she would have won more than $50,000 dollars if Jeff Foxworthy had reminded her that she still had a cheat left. I am proud of Kellie anyway. I couldn’t go on that show because I couldn’t do third grade math questions.
Kathy says:
Kellie Pickler is my idol and I think that people like to post things that put down other celebrities. That really hurts the record sales and stuff like that. Yeah she DOES act like a blond, but don’t use that against her. Carrie Underwood is famous and she’s a blond. She acts like it but she is one of the most well-known people from Idol in the country music genre (”Because of You” by Reba and Kelly Clarkson doesn’t make Clarkson country. Sorry u Kelly fans! *sarcastic crying*)
agur3046 says:
Dr Evil, thanks for sticking up for Kellie but I do have to ask you, what act of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood do you find lame?
Now I don’t want to start a whole new debate here so I suggest we meet at KellieFans.com to exchange Private Messeges unless you’re not a member.
Mike says:
Mr. Morris: I know you meant this as a “civics lesson.”
However, sadly, I think YOU, as a journalist, failed in your duty to fully inform us about the topic, all in order to try to make your point by using Kellie as a scapegoat.
Kellie most certainly takes her duties as an American seriously, contrary to what you write here.
Kellie showed that on her USO tour in Iraq, where she entertained troops at smaller bases that most artists ignore.
THE OTHER COUNTRY MUSIC CHANNEL has documented Kellie Pickler’s USO Tour. Hmmm. I hope that’s not why you ignored it.
Kellie also clearly believes giving back to society is important.
On the game show, Kellie earned more than $50,000 for charity. I don’t understand why you chose to ignore that fact.
Anyone that has followed Kellie’s career knows that she has been quite generous to charitable causes, and that shows she has a sense of civic duty and pride.
One last thing: The show aired back in November, I believe. Why are you digging this up now?
Mike says:
Just Joe: Almost nothing you’ve written makes sense.
You seem to think that people buy albums because a singer lacks knowledge about geography. What a bizarre statement.
Then you concoct a wild story about Taylor Swift with nothing to back up your statements other than — at best — the bitter ramblings of a “friend” who didn’t make it and is in a foul mood.
Hmmm, since neither you nor your …. “friend” …. were there to see Taylor’s “rich daddy” hand over the sack of money (no doubt straight from the Sunday funnies with a big dollar sign on it), why on earth would anyone believe this crap?
And the fact that your “friend,” if this person really exists, didn’t make it means they are still an industry OUTSIDER. So what does that make YOU? I’d say hardly the expert you want people to think you are.
Then you attack Chris for having the gall to use actual FACTS in their reasoning.
Get a grip, Joe.
Theresawho? says:
Hmmmmm lets see…
1+1=2
Just Joe = a Kellie and Taylor Basher
so…who is she/he ? :P
Brandi says:
Hi, I am a big fan
John795 says:
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John1251 says:
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John363 says:
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Tich Tran says:
All this bashing of europe proved how a lot of people in america,especially the south, are racists toward europeans. Rememeber without France we wouldn’t have our freedom from England.
Tich Tran says:
Another thing which is more important music or education. Sorry but it is education. I love country music but education in the math and science is more important. For those who said all the education they need is from god, then are you saying we should use the bible to teach biology?! HA! HA!