Kellie Pickler Fans Will Like Elizabeth Cook's Hey Y'all
For the first time in a few years, I pulled Elizabeth Cook's album, Hey Y'all, out of my CD cabinet and gave it a spin. I had forgotten how much I dug her fresh take on country music when the album first came out in 2002. And then I thought, you know, this is the kind of album that Kellie Pickler ought to be aiming for. Both singers wield a vibrant soprano, and their mutual affinity for Dolly Parton is well-documented. In Cook's case, a song named "Dolly" details all the struggles that Cook faced trying to get a music career up-and-running. Surely, Kellie Pickler can relate to that.
Unfortunately, Cook's album never took off when it was released on Warner Bros. in 2002 - too country for country, probably. Now that I've rediscovered it, I am enjoying it just as much as I did before, and even if Kellie Pickler doesn't record any of these tunes, she would certainly identify with them. The melodies are fun, even if you can sense some frustration in the lyrics (rocky relationships, aggressive boyfriends, getting derailed by the wrong guy). It's darn near impossible to get any song cut in Nashville these days, so my little wish to get this music onto Kellie Pickler's next album will probably never come to fruition. Luckily, Elizabeth Cook is a mighty fine singer in her right, and Hey Y'all is a fine reminder that even in this digital age, it's worth rummaging through your old CDs once in a while.
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Kevin says:
Can we please get that post deleted. Thats ridiculous
Kevin says:
thank you
luvncountry says:
Kevin, what did I miss?
RedMaZ says:
I can see a slight simularity in voices (very slight), but for Pickler to record Cook’s type of music would be Pop suicide for her. I don’t believe Picklers handlers have gotten their investment money back on her yet. So I think a Country album is out of the question. By the way, my favorite Elizabeth Cook CD is “Balls”!
Kevin says:
somebody called Elizabeth Cook a name that was very uncalled for.
Kellie Pickler has already released two country albums.
RedMaZ says:
I know Pickler has released 2 Pop Country albums, but that’s not what I was talking about in reference to Elizabeth Cook.
Kevin says:
Well you said a “country” album is out of the question, and obviously its not since she already released two country albums.
RedMaZ says:
Again…in reference to Elizabeth Cook.
Kevin says:
Elizabeth Cook makes country music and so does Kellie Pickler.
RedMaZ says:
So does Dale Watson and Kenny Chesney.
Kevin says:
wow.. I think you are catching on.
RedMaZ says:
Now only if you could, then we’d be getting somewhere.
Kevin says:
Kellie Pickler might sound different but she is as much of a country artist as Elizabeth Cook is. Stop discriminating please.
luvncountry says:
btw that’s similarity, not simularity. Not sure who Elizabeth Cook is (or Dale W) but I sure LOVE Kellie.
Thanks Kevin.
Rick says:
I would urge Craig to track down a copy of Elizabeth’s rare self-titled indie debut album, which is also referred to as the “Blue Album”. About half the songs on the blue album were re-recorded or remixed and included on “Hey Y’all” and I prefer the less produced original versions in all cases. The rest of the songs on the blue album that didn’t make it onto “Hey Y’all” are gems in themselves. Like Dierks Bentley’s indie debut “Don’t Leave Me In Love”, I consider Elizabeth’s indie debut to be her best album and superior to her subsequent releases good as they are.
“Hey Y’all” is not a widely known album because the label pulled radio support for her debut single “Stupid Things” just a couple of weeks after it hit radio and that was pretty much the end of Elizabeth’s major label career. Elizabeth discussed all the details in a great interview in “No Depression” magazine awhile back that is a must read for all of Elizabeth’s fans.
RedMaZ says:
If by that you mean “to make a clear distinction”. I believe that’s a good thing. That way there is no confusion. Pickler is recognized in Mainstream Pop Country, Cook is recognized in Americana Roots Country. That’s genre description. Are you a fan of Dale Watson?
RedMaZ says:
Hi Rick, I agree. I prefer the less produced music too. That’s one thing that draws me to Americana/Roots music, and “No Depression” is a must have for any music fan.
Kevin says:
They are both country. Kellie has two country albums. So her making a country album is not out of the question.
RedMaZ says:
Are you a fan of Kelly Pickler?
Kevin says:
Im not her biggest fan, but I like her. Whether im a fan of hers or not, she doesnt deserve you saying that she doesnt make country albums.
RedMaZ says:
I never said she doesn’t make country music. I said she is recognized in Mainstream Pop Country. Is that not true? Are you a fan of Elizabeth Cook?
Kevin says:
Dont try to cover up what you said. You said, “I don’t believe Picklers handlers have gotten their investment money back on her yet. So I think a Country album is out of the question.”
Kellie Pickler has already made 2 country albums. Has she not?
RedMaZ says:
Again…that statement is in reference with Elizabeth Cook. Are you a fan of hers?
Kevin says:
Then you should have said that Kellie Pickler will probably not make a country album that sounds exactly like Elizabeth Cook. You said that she probably would not make a country album. Which is a complete lie because she has already made 2
RedMaZ says:
Is that what I said? Oh come on know. Maybe you should just take your ball and go home.
Kevin says:
I believe I will. Ive already proved my point. Watch your words. You are telling lies.
RedMaZ says:
So…are you a fan of Elizabeth Cook? What Kellie Pickler song do you like?
diane says:
very confusing blog..very confusing feedback….
Cj says:
I love Kellie Pickler she is all country to me. I love both of her albums. I love her sparky personality. She is a cutie. No comparison to cook.
Twanguru says:
While I’m sure Kelly Pickler is a fabulous human being, what exactly is the point of having her cover Elizabeth Cook songs? Here’s a thought - how about giving Elizabeth Cook all of the attention, money, “people”, tour support, recording budget, makeup artists, stylists and media presence that Kelly Pickler gets?
She can already sing without help from AutoTune. She can already play her instrument. She can already write her own songs and not sit around waiting for whatever scraps Craig Wiseman or Jeffery Steele leave for the likes of Pickler to cut.
Cook has actually has paid her dues…and probably Pickler’s dues to boot…cranking out real, honest Country music in bars, clubs, roadhouses, flatbeds, fields and porches across the U.S. and Europe. And she didn’t have to end up in 6th place on a game show to do it.
Craig, it’s great that you’ve finally remembered to catch on to what a Real Deal sounds like…but after listening to EC, concluding that the thing to do is “Have Kelly Pickler cut these songs” is a bit of a let down. The only person that should be wishing Kelly Pickler was Elizabeth Cook is….Kelly Pickler.
Elvisdawg says:
I wish whoever lords over these boards would delete all the ridiculous back-and-forth sniping posts so we can just stick to good ol’ country music.
I find it hard to believe we’re comparing Kelly Pickler to Elizabeth Cook, because there really is no comparison.
Elizabeth’s “Balls” album is just amazing for lots of reasons, amazing songwriting (let’s see Kelly Pickler write almost every song on a record), depth, style, and, hey, she even shocked me with a Velvet Underground song, Sunday Morning. I didn’t know anyone in country music knew about Velvet Underground! They made a cool video of that one too, Sunday Morning. Even the Washington Post and Rolling Stone noticed, how often does that happen in country-land?
I don’t know, I’m just always bothered when I see lots of mainstream drek on the airwaves when there all kinds of fantastic singers and songwriters right under your nose.
Same thing happens on non-country radio and TV too by the way.
I wish CMT and others would devote more time to Elizabeth’s music, and others like her. The world of country music would be much better for it.
RedMaZ says:
cmt.com the website features more than just Pop music. Most every artist I listen to is found here, and by the looks of this blog, they are devoting some time to Cook. Her and other artists like her have many outlets where their music is featured. By the way, I love to stick to some good ‘ol country music. Who do you want to talk about?
chelle rose says:
Twanguru KNOWS what he’s talkin bout.
kuntrygurl78 says:
Elizabeth makes some of the best music out there. I bought Balls first then was attracted to her other albums. I have all but the first Indie Blue album that is talked about here. Im not sure where to get it.
Elizabeth is the real deal. The girl can sing, write, and even clog! If you have not seen her live, you must! I first saw her last summer at fan fair then last August at a show here in IL. She is the best! If you dont know who she is, I highly suggest you check out her myspace page and subscribe to her blogs. She’s a hoot!
So for all the fans..lets post what we love about her and maybe even throw in our favorite song. My favorite song is Mamas Prayers.
Eddie Bone says:
Pickler’s been on the Opry.If she ain’t recorded a country album yet,she better hurry up. I’ll take Elizabeth Cook any day!
Eddie Bone says:
I second Mama’s Prayers!
Farawayhills says:
I don’t think the original poster is suggesting that Kellie Pickler should record a cover album of EC songs - only that’s it’s the “type” of album he’d like to see her record - and the “music” that he’d like to see get onto her record presumably refers to the general style he’d like to hear her perform.
There is (thankfully) a thriving audience for Roots Country - but it is a minority audience, focused on Festivals, smaller clubs and venues, Colleges, and specialist radio stations - maybe about 15% of the total Country audience. I think it’s unrealistic to assume that the other 85% would suddenly start preferring Roots Country if only artists like Kellie Pickler would start recording it. It’s more likely that most would switch to other Pop-Country artists.
Roots Country is an alternative to Pop Country - but I don’t think it’s an undiscovered substitute, waiting in the wings for mainstream artists and fans to crossover. There’s room for both - but the Pop Country industry’s level of market support presumably depends on it catering for current mainstream preferences. Probably, the only realistic way Kellie Pickler might record a much more Roots Country album would be if her mainstream recording contract ended and she switched to the alternative sector.
(My favourite EC song tends to vary - right now I think it’s “Always Tomorrow”)
Twanguru says:
Quote:I don’t think the original poster is suggesting that Kellie Pickler should record a cover album of EC songs - only that’s it’s the “type” of album he’d like to see her record. End Quote
Then he should not have written: “…and even if Kellie Pickler doesn’t record any of these tunes, she would certainly identify with them”.
RedMaZ says:
Farawayhills, A very good post, and pretty much right on the money. Well said, and I agree. For someone to know that there is Pop Country AND Roots Country is a breath of fresh air around here to say the least. Most people (that 85% you speak of) don’t even know it.
RubyPearl says:
Elizabeth Cook is incredible. End of story.