Songbirds, Screamers and Belters
When I first started listening to country music, it was all about the guys. Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, George Strait. Maybe a little Martina McBride. Maybe some Faith Hill. But mostly, I was buying that whole cowboy thing the guys were selling.
But lately I have been switching gears. I don't know if it's because Nashville is cranking out more good girl singers. Or if I just got tired of the male perspective. What I do know, though, is that female country artists seem to get put into little corners based on the way their vocals usually sound. And they wind up with labels. Like Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack might be considered songbirds. And then McBride, Hill, Carrie Underwood and Gretchen Wilson could be called belters. I might also put Ashton Shepherd in that latter category. Then there are the screamers, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler would be good examples of that kind of raw vocal power that comes through in a very hard-to-ignore way.
A closer listen to all these artists' albums, though, has shown me that sometimes an artist can have more than one vocal signature. Think Jennifer Nettles on "Stay" versus Jennifer Nettles on "Baby Girl." Compare Underwood's belting on "Just a Dream" with her softer side on "Don't Forget to Remember Me." Even Lambert has shown a broader range with the quietly sweet "More Like Her," which is a far cry from her twangy scream on "Gunpowder & Lead." And Swift comes across like a songbird in her autobiographical "The Best Day" and a full-on belter in "Fifteen."
This is not to say that men don't have the ability to multi-task with their voices. It's just that I'm starting to appreciate the variety women bring to country music. Vocally, lyrically and emotionally.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Songbirds, Screamers and Belters( carrie mention ) - Carrie Underwood Fans says:
[...] across like a songbird in her autobiographical
Tony says:
Good article Allison, except I have to agree with Michael that Taylor is no songbird. sorry. She just cannot sing.
K says:
Like Taylor’s personality, and she is a gifted writer, but she isn’t a good singer…but she’s making millions more than I ever will….
No Name says:
Obviously you guys haven’t seen her live RECENTLY, as in, the past few months if you still think she’s “horrid live”. Her vocals have improved tremendously. Sure, there’s some songs she’s still a little pitchy on, such as Picture To Burn. But for the most part, she’s fantastic now. And watch her sessions with Def Leppard - Photograph, Hysteria, and When Love and Hate Collide. They’re great.
Emily_T says:
I like the article but i Think Carrie could fit in all the categories. and as for taylor I like her CDs i Like her music but sometimes when she sings live she sounds Bad but other times she sounds AMAZING. but over all i like her
Dennis says:
Great article Allison. I personally think that Taylor Swift is not a belter nor a songbird. However, she is improving a lot with her vocals. I think at this point she is not even close to McBride, Lambert, Womack, Krauss, Parton and Underwood.
I agree with Michael that Swift is a songwriter and not a singer.
Of all the ladies mentioned, I am a huge fan of Carrie:)
Melissa says:
I personally like that country music has more girls in it now. I mean, I love the guys too, but I’m more into the girls’ music right now.
Nice blog, Alison! It brought up a very good point.
RedMaZ says:
She’s the direction of Pop Country. The Clique Girlz are next. I can see their music being played on Pop Country radio soon.
marie says:
i love carrie i think her vocals are very versatile she can sing any rock song, pop, or even metal and she sounds amazing live, even though taylor gets put down a lot i dont think shes all that bad she isnt at carrie’s level but to say she has no talent isnt fair, i think she sings nice her writing skills at her age is impressive… i feel sorry for the guys that break her heart though!!… she’s a talented girl and shes unique…give her a break people…at least alison didnt mention jessica simpson now this country “wannabe” chick has no talent, and she should be booted out of country because she is untolerable.
RedMaZ says:
How would you compare her singing/songwriting to Danielle Talamini?
Luvncountry says:
Sorry, never heard of DT.
RedMaZ says:
Are you going to check her out?
vcp says:
I thought this was a great article and good topic of discussion. As per usual though RedMaz is talking up the pop country, does he know anyother form of critisism or even something constructive for that matter.
IMO Martina and Carrie could be put into any of the categories with their registers, they can sing anything. Martina has proven this numerous times. As for Carrie Just A Dream displayed her range very well, but I think her next single “I Told You So” will show it even more and that song should make alot of bloggers here happy cause it is as some would say “traditional country” and if you try and say it isn’t then you are saying Randy Travis isn’t as well.
As for Taylor her writing talent is obvious even though it is usually about one topic, but her voice is very restricted and I would classify her as a screamer. Although on songs such as “Tim McGraw”, and “White Horse”, I would say she is more of a songbird, that seems to be the register that she should stick with, the very soft sounding stuff.
All in all I am glad that the female presence in country music is making a comeback, it does bring alot more versitility then the men, and more sound means better music.
Gary says:
I have to say I much prefer the songbirds to the belters and screamers. I don’t enjoy hearing someone venting their spleen, yelling the lyrics at me at the top of their lungs. With the softer presentation of the songbirds, the focus is much more on the song than it is on the performance. Alison Krauss is absolutely the best. Nobody else is even close to being in her league right now.
lizisawesome says:
I think there are so many new female country artists these days, it’s hard to distinguish them from the rest and find something totally original. And I agree with red about Swift and pop music. And Carrie Underwood is so overrated.
Gail says:
I saw Taylor perform on the Dick Clark New Years Eve show and she was awful. She is most definitely not a good live singer. Does she write anything besides fairy tales and prince and princesses? Her current song and her last one is all about the above. What is so great about that? Carrie Underwood, Martina, Allison, LeeAnn W. & Rimes & even Miranda run rings around her vocally. Comparing her, Carrie’s & Miranda’s performances on the CMAs…Taylor doesn’t rate up there with them. I just really don’t get all the hype about her!
vcp says:
Just curious as to if you have any examples as to why Carrie is so overrated, what sets Martina and Faith, etc. apart from her, some detail if you could. I am not a uber Carrie fan but I do believe she is the best new talent in country music for a loooong overdue time.
RedMaZ says:
Thanks lizisawesome, but I’ll have to disagree with you about it being hard to distinguish them from the rest and find something totally original. Danielle for example. She may take influences from artists like Patty Griffin, or Sheryl Crowe, but I find her original don’t you? Same goes for Sara Hamilton or Carrie Rodriguez. I find them quite original too. Don’t you? And if you want new twang…look no further than Sunny Sweeney, and Jadia Dreyer. I think there is plenty of originality out there.
dollyfan says:
Dolly STILL outsings them all!!!
Sugarfan says:
Jennifer Nettles has the best voice out there. And to hear her live is phenomenal!
Valerie says:
Carrie may be one of the best NEW talents but that doesnt mean she is the only super talent. Example for the past year you would think Taylor and Carrie are the only country artists. There are many more and the genre should support more than two people at a time. I dont hate either one enjoy some of their music. But would like to hear more Faith, Danielle Peck, Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Martina, Julie Roberts, Gretchen Wilson etc on the radio. I dont want just too these two chicks there is alot more that represents great country music.
Valerie says:
I dont listen to country radio much anymore because of the unfair overkill of these and other artists.
vcp says:
Music on the radio is played by demand, so if you would like to here more of a variety than the same old I suggest you do some requesting or like you said just don’t listen anymore, that’s what ipods are for right.
Kate says:
To RedMaZ:
I’m glad you always manage to find other (personalities) than the personality in question to rave about, and proves that there’s someone for everyone…. but the terms ‘unique’ and ‘original’ are very ambigious when used as adjectives and are often used when the person can’t quite describe what they are seeing/hearing. The terms may in no way imply the kind of quality others might appreciate. Being ‘different’ doesn’t always translate to being ‘good’ or ‘popular’ or something the population in general accepts.
RedMaZ says:
So I take it you know who all these people are and are familiar with their music? That’s good Kate. Most people don’t even know who one of them let alone all. Do you consider a person trained as a classic violinist, who turns her talent and skill in a new direction, and shows some very good singing/songwriting and musicianship skills unique? Original? I agree with you that being different doesn’t always translate to being good or popular…but neither does typical.
Kate says:
To RedMaZ
Exactly: Being different i.e. ‘unique’, “original” or “typical’ doesn’t always translate to being ‘good’ and or ‘popular. It’s a statement on the use of the language not a judgement on the artists you mention.
RedMaZ says:
You got that right.
vcp says:
So I checked out Carrie Rodriguez and she is pleasant but nothing I think that would appeal to the majority of audiences, and there must be a reason why she is playing in coffee houses, lounges, and hotels ya think?????
RedMaZ says:
That’s nice you checked her out. She’s Roots music, and not really intended to be popular with the masses, because the masses won’t move out of their comfort zone(that’s what Pop Music is for). Carrie’s Austin City Limits concert was wonderful. Some of the best musicians I’ve ever heard were playing were in coffee houses, lounges, and hotels. Ever heard of Jazz? Folk Rock? Jam Bands? So where someone plays has no bearing on their talent. From my observations Roots Music fans don’t really care how many spins their favorite artist gets on Pop radio. Roots Music and Pop Music are two different cultures, but both exist. There is new Pop Music, and there is new Roots Music. That’s just the way it is.
At least you checked out someone you’ve never heard of. That’s what’s important.
vcp says:
Now you are boarderline insulting me, I consider myself very cultured when it comes to music, I have sat in many a coffee house and lounges to see people I enjoyed or to check out new ones.
The thing is you are always talking of people that aren’t even mention in the articles nor ever have been in any discussion that warrent any comments. Why mention them if you do not want them to be heard by the masses, because the masses of people who blog hear listen to the music that is mentioned.
Wendy says:
I am so glad the women are getting noticed and played more. I still think country radio plays the men about 10 to every 1 of the women. We have some great voices in country right now. Carrie won me over to country music and now I listen to other women and men. I love Carrie’s vocal range and the way she can sing a traditional country song like I Told You So or an anthem like Before He Cheats. I am really like that in Miranda, too. Keep up the good work…all ladies of country!
Tara says:
I think carrie Underwood has an amazing voice. The women of country music are really making their mark in the world, Its not just all about the men of country music. Their great too……..
RedMaZ says:
If that’s the case, then I wasn’t referring to you. No need to get so defensive. I can relate to almost anyone who chooses to listen to many styles of music. This blog was about…”Songbirds, Screamers, and Belters”. I’m discussing and listing some of mine. I see nothing wrong with that. Since it wasn’t specified as just a Pop country blog, I figured it was open to ALL of todays music.
vcp says:
So Red are you going to consider Carrie’s next single “I Told You So”, Pop country, cause if so you are calling Randy Travis that as well and he is the farthest from it.
He also said he thought the song was more meant for Carrie’s voice than his own because of her register and range.
Kate says:
Why is it so important to get RedMaZ on board with Pop country music? RedMaZ’s approval/disapproval is insignificant in the gand scheme of things.
RedMaZ the article didn’t ask to list your favorite :Songbirds, Screamers and Belters.
I have to say that for somebody who professess to appreciate all styles of music…you sure have a one-track mind.
RedMaZ says:
vcp, are you talking about Underwood? You’re not looking at the big picture. Everything Underwood does is part of Mainstream Pop Culture. Travis was always a part of the Pop Country scene until now. Todays Pop Country scene don’t want anything to do with him, but when he was having hits on country radio, Pop Country was much different than it is now. I remember when Haggard, Jones, Paycheck, and Coe were on Pop Country radio too. More recently, Stuart, Earle, Yoakam, Skaggs, Loveless, Harris, Crowell, Cash and even though they are all making new music, they’re not being played on Pop Country radio, and that fine. I don’t expect them to be. So yes, Underwood covering a 20+ year old Randy Travis song will be a Pop Country hit. Again.
Randy Travis is nowhere near the farthest from Pop Country. You’d have to dig into some Wayne Hancock, James Hand, Dale Watson, Roger Wallace etc. to be even close.
Tanya says:
Jennifer Nettles to my opinoin has the best voice inthe world and no one can take that gift away from her
Katie says:
I still like the male singers better…
Outlaw says:
Jennifer Nettles is the top female vocalist out there today. Not only does she have the ability to sing any song, she is an proven songwriter(Award winning Stay), and puts on one of the best shows out on tour.
Jack says:
Jennifer Nettles has a very distinctive voice and she is certainly one of the best singers in country music today.
(As a side note, if you want to hear the best singers in the world you should listen to opera.)
vcp says:
I agree Jennifer has a good voice it is ver distinctive, but not great, she does stretch those vowels, I’ll still listen though.
Gary says:
Why do you guys have to turn so many of these blog pages into a hate-fest? Can’t you talk about the artists you like without trying to bash and tear down the ones you don’t?
I can understand why some of you are big fans of Jennifer Nettles. She has a powerful voice that is well suited to the style of music Sugerland puts out. For my money, though, Alison Krauss is still the best pure singer in the business. I’ve seen her in concert many times over the past 10+ years, and have yet to hear her sing off key. The girl is absolutely pitch perfect. I’ll never get tired of going to see her live, whether it’s with Robert Plant or Union Station, it doesn’t matter. If you like female singers, she’s worth the price of admission every time.
rolltidefan says:
I agree! Alison Krauss sings like a angel! So does Carrie! I seen them both in concert and it was GREAT!!!!!
audi16 says:
I agree that Jennifer has an amazing voice. I also like Carrie’s voice. When I was younger I always listened to Faith, Martina, and Lee Ann Walmack I think these ladies also have some amazing voices, however we don’t hear as much from these ladies as we used to. I also want to say, What’s wrong with Taylor Swift? She is an amazing songwriter and is proving she can write songs about things other than fairy tales and boys (Fifteen and The Best Day) Besides people need to give her a break she is still a teenager. What do y’all expect her to write about. Taylor is improving in her vocal abilites. I personally have seen her in concert twice and I saw her at the cma music fest. With each time I see her perform she has gotten better.
RedMaZ says:
Well, I see that went way over your head. Maybe you should go back and read my reply again. My point being, there was quite a bit of traditional country being played on Pop radio when Travis was being played, as all the others I mentioned. Maybe you don’t know about Skaggs fusing Country and Bluegrass together, and making it popular. Or Steve Earle bringing Texas style Roots music to the masses, or Yoakam bringing Rock/Country and Kentucky twang to country radio. I agree with your last sentence, but I’m not trying to change anyones minds. I’m speaking based on facts, and you’re giving way too much credit for inventing all these music “classification”. The term is genre, and just because I know about them ,doesn’t mean I made them up. They’re real. Do some research, and you will see for yourself.
Gary says:
Carrie has a strong singing voice, but the material she’s released so far definitely puts her in the belter category. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just not my personal preference.
I think the only exception to that categorization so far was “Don’t Forget to Remember Me”, which is probably why it is my favorite song of hers so far. The rest of them she seems to be straining to sing at the top of her lungs. It’s very impressive that she can do that, but I like the softer style of the songbirds better. Somehow they come across to me as more feminine than the belters.
You watch someone like Carrie, Martina or Faith straining to belt out the notes and their expressions look almost angry because they are trying so hard. They are all excellent singers, but I’d like to see them throttle it back a little.
K says:
I started to like Taylor…until I saw her on that show Dick Clark hosted, and then I changed my mind. But, she writes very, very catchy songs, I’ll give her that! I had “Love Story” stuck in my head for weeks. And she seems like a grounded girl and great role model. I think she has a sweet voice, even though she tends to go off-key, I think with a few songs she sounds OK, not terrible. She just cannot hit power notes and she’s pitchy. She’s hardly the only one though.
I adore Carrie, and think she is a phenomenal vocalist in a world of “studio darlings,” which is extremely refreshing. You don’t find much of those anymore, especially with new singers. Carrie is also beautiful, seems sweet, and cares about being a good role model.
Although I’m not a fan of Jenifer’s voice, she is a very talented vocalist and writer. I’ve heard Sugarland puts on an awesome concert, they always seem to be having a blast on stage…
K says:
Miranda, Ashton Shepard, and Kellie Pickler and quite a few females seem like promising artists, too.
Melissa says:
I’ve heard Sugarland puts on a good show in concert, but I really do not like Jennifer’s voice. It’s too nasal-y for my taste. But it doesn’t mean I *can’t* listen to it.
Kellie Pickler: Dove, Songbird, and Eagle! says:
Country music is mostly about the guys because most women don’t get half the promotion or airplay they deserve and it’s hard to get noticed when radio isn’t playing your songs much. I’m tired of hearing the men all the time and they should play Kellie Pickler and the other best female vocalists more.
I’ve never heard anyone use “screamer” to describe Kellie’s singing however I take it you meant raw vocal power or power vocals and I agree that she has that. She sings great from softly to belting so she’s a dove, a songbird, and an eagle. She has many vocal qualities that many fans and music critics have mentioned: beautiful voice, powerful voice or pipes, the best new soprano singer in many years, great range, perfect pitch, always on key, great, beautiful, controlled vibrato, sings from the heart with passion and conviction, and has a great ability to convey feeling and emotion to audiences. Kellie is a songbird who belts when appropriate, and she sings softly then belts in the same song in many songs. Even CMT’s Hazel Smith, who is the queen of country music writers and has probably met and heard all the great artists, calls her a songbird. Just listen to Kellie sing I Wonder, which she won the CMT Performance of the Year award for, Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You, One Last Time, Somebody to Love Me, National Anthem, Santa Baby, and her covers of Tammy, Dolly, Patsy, and Martina songs. She recorded the best vocal in the fifty-five year history of Santa Baby covers and DJs said she totally nailed it and knocked it out of the park.
Kellie can sing the phone book and make it sound great. Listen to her sing Sheryl Crow’s part in Picture, and Kellie sings this much better than Sheryl! Go to youtube and search for “Kellie Pickler singing with Kid Rock Ramstein Air Base Germany.” You can tell that Kid, Zac, and the entire audience loved it! Also search for “Taylor Swift & Kellie Pickler Courtesy Of The Red White & Blue.” Kellie was really holding back there, maybe because she was opening for Taylor and showing her courtesy and respect. Taylor said this is the kind of duet she likes, where one person sings lead and the other sings backup. On Best Days of Your Life, Kellie sings lead and Taylor sings backup. I love this song and want to hear it on radio more!
Some singers specialize in or prefer one style over others, however Kellie is a diverse singer who can sing just about anything. She’s the best and most diverse singer of all the new artists since Carrie and there isn’t much she can’t sing flawlessly. She has shown many times that she can sing pure traditional country, country/pop, country/rock, classic country, classic Christmas songs, National Anthem, and even pop/rock with the best of them. It’s also great that Kellie pays tribute to the legendary women of country at all of her concerts and the Opry and she sounds authentic like the original versions. Most don’t or can’t do that.
Kellie’s powerful voice fills big arenas and outdoor venues, and she has one of the most beautiful soft vocals ever in country music. Just listen to her cover of Don’t Close Your Eyes or many of her own songs. Better yet, everyone get both of her albums for the full Picklerange!
Hazel Smith, queen of country music writers:
“Several bright stars are on the horizon, so I wager it’s time to turn the page. Kellie Pickler blew me away on American Idol and continues to take my breath away as a singer and as a star. The first time I heard the Albemarle, N.C., native sing on Idol, I e-mailed Joe Galante and Renee Bell at Sony BMG and pleaded for them to sign Pickler. When she was dropped from the Idol competition, I quit watching the show and e-mailed Joe and Renee a second time, but they were already bird-dogging Kellie. Mark my word. Kellie, like Carrie Underwood last year, will be bigger than any other 2006 Idol entry.”
cmt.com/news/hot-dish/1548188/hot-dish-carrie-underwood-rascal-flatts-top-a-year-of-country.jhtml
“Kellie Pickler is spending part of the holidays in the Persian Gulf where she will perform for the troops as part of a USO tour. This is Kellie’s first trip overseas, and the little North Carolina songbird is grateful for the opportunity. Santa has been real good to Kellie in 2007.”
cmt.com/news/hot-dish/1576079/hot-dish-dierks-bentley-hits-the-ice-for-no-1-party.jhtml
“Well, for once The View featured an individual with her own personality for fans to love and never forget. I’m talking about Kellie Pickler. A Southern girl, country, bare-faced, bright and honest, she sings like the Carolina songbird she was born to be. With all these attributes, I predict that Kellie will follow the same trail — from country to the world — that was blazed by Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton. And while others may hit and fall by the wayside, this girl — like a train to a rail — will stay on track and enjoy a career of longevity success like her predecessors.”
cmt.com/news/hot-dish/1550928/hot-dish-mixing-politics-and-country-music.jhtml
December 01, 2007
Native son Brad Paisley wows civic center audience
By Roger Lilly For The Charleston Gazette
Welcome home, Brad Paisley.
One of West Virginia’s favorite sons returned to the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum Friday night to host a perfect storm of a concert.
Kellie Pickler, of American Idol fame, started out the proceedings with a spirited six-song set that showcased her powerful voice and winning personality. With blonde hair, black T-shirt and jeans and, of course, red high heels, she wowed the crowd with “Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind,” “I Wonder,” “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” and “Red High Heels.”
She seemed much more comfortable performing before 10,000 judges instead of just three.
K says:
Sorry, but Kellie is no belter, or even a songbird. Yes, she can sing, but she doesn’t have a range like CU or Martina. I’ve yet to see her get songwriting credit, either, except for that “Best Days” song she co-wrote with Swift.
rolltidefan says:
I like kellie better than taylor, at least kellie can sing!!!!!
Miley says:
Sugarland is good, but jen nettles has a very sharp, twangy voice that sometimes can be grating. But in songs like Stay, she shines.
Carrie and Jen Nettles are the best 2 female singers out there right now. Patsy Cline is still the best of all time though. lol
66forlife says:
There is a song on the radio that I’ve only heard maybe twice. It is by a female country artist and is a slower ballad-style song. The singer really belts out the tune. It is very similar in style to Lee Ann Womack’s “I may hate myself in the morning.” I don’t know any lyrics or who sings it and I’ve only heard it once or twice. I think it came out in the last year. Can you all please respond with some guesses as to what song this might be, or even some artists that I could look up on iTunes to listen to clips to find it? I tried all of Lee Ann’s songs and can’t find it. Thanks!
Kellie Pickler: Dove, Songbird, and Eagle! says:
K, I disagree and so do many professional music critics and fans. I’ve noticed that Kellie has been a great songbird and belter ever since the first time I heard her sing at her American Idol audition where she belted out 2 songs, one by famous belter Kelly Clarkson and another by famous belter Martina McBride, and she wowed the judges who were clearly very impressed. Then during the singing competition, just like Hazel said, Kellie blew me away and took my breath away when she sang like the songbird she was born to be. Also when she belted when appropriate in quite a few songs, like when she belted out the end of Patsy Cline’s great country classic Walkin’ After Midnight, adding her own great personal style and signature to them and getting the best comments from the judges like “you were awesome” “you got this absolutely right, it was just great.”
Kellie has been singing her own songs and covering great country songs for over 2 years with tons of applause. Before Idol, Martina’s Independence Day is the first song Kellie ever sang for an audience. She has performed for many millions of people on Idol, CMA fest main stage, Opry many times, huge NASCAR races, countless concerts and many sold out, on 2 USO tours for our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Kosovo, and England, and many other places. Kellie earned a standing ovation from the biggest stars in country music at the CMA awards. How many singers can you name that earned a standing ovation for their first awards show performance? Kellie also earned many standing ovations at the Opry and concerts. How many artists have earned standing ovations at the Opry where people are used to hearing great country singers and aren’t easily impressed?
I love Carrie and Martina and didn’t compare Kellie’s range to them but like I said Kellie has a great range and can sing just about anything flawlessly. She was nominated for CMA horizon/best new artist twice and ACM top new female vocalist twice and deserved to win both. She also deserves nominations for top female vocalist however since those awards are also based on promotion, sales and airplay chart success, not just talent, she hasn’t been nominated yet and she has some great competition with Carrie, Miranda and Taylor. 2 have been in the business longer and 2 were promoted more than Kellie.
Kellie is one of the best singer/songwriters in country music. So far she’s co-written twelve songs she’s recorded, five for her best-selling debut and seven for her new sophomore album. Most of the songs she co-wrote are the best on both albums including I Wonder, which won CMT Performance of the Year and should have been #1 on radio and nominated for CMA and ACM awards. She also won ASCAP songwriter awards for Red High Heels and I Wonder. Maybe it’s promotion but for some reason Taylor is the only new female artist for over 2 years that radio has put at #1 even though Kellie and a few others deserve it.
Since Kellie’s co-writers are among the best in Nashville including some of the same people who wrote hit songs for Carrie like Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, they must think Kellie is a great singer and songwriter.
Kellie doesn’t get as much promotion as she deserves so maybe that’s why you haven’t seen her songwriter credits. The label didn’t even include them with her first CD, which is totally against the norm and unacceptable. Many people have said they have not seen and didn’t know the credits. I even read a review where the reviewer said he almost didn’t review her album because it arrived missing all credits, so no telling what others thought about this mistake and Kellie deserves much better. On the flip side, I’ve never heard of Sony leaving credits off of anyone else’s album, and Taylor’s label has always mentioned her songwriting in her press all the time, which is one of many things that probably helped her win sales, awards, and such. Since you haven’t seen Kellie’s songwriting credits here’s a list for you, and maybe I should send a bill to Sony for my time:
Small Town Girl album
Red High Heels (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Karyn Rochelle)
Gotta Keep Moving (Steve McEwan, Angela Lauer)
Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind (Tim Johnson, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble)
Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You (Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Troy Verges)
I Wonder (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Karyn Rochelle)
Small Town Girl (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
Wild Ponies (Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Karyn Rochelle)
Girls Like Me (Marv Green, Chris Lindsey, Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
I’m On My Way (Sally Barris, Ashley Monroe, Liz Rose)
One of the Guys (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Karyn Rochelle)
My Angel (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
Life’s Too Short (Brett James, Hillary Lindsey)
Kellie Pickler album
Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful (Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Karyn Rochelle)
I’m Your Woman (Josh Kear, Karyn Rochelle, Troy Verges)
Rocks Instead of Rice (Kellie Pickler, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins)
Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You (Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Troy Verges)
Lucky Girl (Catherine Britt, Brett Beavers, Tony Martin)
One Last Time (Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey)
Best Days of Your Life (Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift)
Somebody to Love Me (Kellie Pickler, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey)
Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again (Karyn Rochelle, James Slater, Shane Stevens)
Going Out In Style (Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey)
Anything But Me (Kellie Pickler, Chris Lindsey, Karyn Rochelle)
Don’t Close Your Eyes (Bob McDill)
Happy (Kellie Pickler, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear, Karyn Rochelle, Kyle Jacobs, Chris Tompkins, Chris Lindsey, Troy Verges and Aimee Mayo)
L says:
Whoever you are your spamming this blog with Kellie facts.
Where is your name, and why are you spamming here…are you her agent or something?
DollyNood says:
As far as songbirds go there’s only one,the “Great Tit” !
Maybe even more important is that Dolly is without a doubt an unequaled singer-songwriter and with the candy-floss hair and her bawdy, larger-than-life, knock-’em-out curves, Dolly is one of the greatest hotties of the world too.
At age 62 she still looks better than a lot of those so-called supermodels. I’d say it’s way overdue that she showed those 34E’s aka “The Best Boobs in the Bizz” to the world, so c’mon Dolly pose nude in the near future and don’t wait until y’er 100-th birthday or at least have the pictures that have been taken in the past published!!
Kellie Pickler: Dove, Songbird, and Eagle! says:
L, Kellie is the only reason I watched Dick Clark’s New Year’s. They should have asked her to host and perform and she would be the best singer on the show.
I’m not spamming and if you don’t like Kellie then why not just skip my posts? No one is forcing you to read them. If I were her agent I certainly would not spend time posting on this board, instead I’d be working with the label on getting her more promotion.
Pam says:
Actually saw Taylor Swift live during the summer as an opening act. I do not like her music because I am not a teenager but she is a talented writer and a good role model to get younger kids into country music. Everytime I have heard her on TV she sounds horrid but I had to admit she was actually very good live. I was totally shocked she could actually sing. As for everyone else, Martina is the best out there live. I’ve seem then all this year and she is by far the best vocalist. You “feel” her music when you are experiencing her live performance.
L says:
It’s called spamming!!! You are tryiong to take the board over with Kellie news…well, go to her fan site and do it there.
jan says:
She shouldnt be in the same blog as the GREAT singers. She is a whiner and a fake.
audi16 says:
I know Taylor doesn’t sound her best on some live shows. I honestly believe it is because she is nervous being in front of so many important people(like when she sings at awards shows)If you see her in concert she sounds 100% better. My aunt took me to one of her concerts and could not believe how much better she sounded. I have always been a Taylor fan and always will but honestly y’all should give her a break. I know she doesn’t have the best voice but honestly she sounds much better at her concerts.
Guess? says:
I just seen her in concert and it was aweful!!! She needs to invested in some singing lessons.
jersey says:
I don’t like taylor, but i don’t think this blog should totally be about her…she’s just doing her thing and apparently it’s working so more power to her, she certainly has opened doors…
with all this talk about voices, i’d be interested to see what some of you think about rachel allyn, i go to school with her and really like her stuff…check her out if you get the chance…
vcp says:
If you want to hear sonme serious vocals watch the people’s choice awards tonight, Carrie will be performing a song she hasn’t or isn’t going to release or ever done televised, and it is breathtaking
JP says:
Jan…I’m with you about KP. She knows how to get attention…that’s for sure!!
Guess? says:
What a GREAT song carrie just sung on the award show!!GO CARRIE!!!
Guess? says:
CARRIE WON 3 AWARDS TONIGHT!! GO CARRIE!!
Kellie Pickler: Dove, Songbird, and Eagle! says:
jan, I don’t know who you were talking about but Kellie Pickler is no whiner or fake. Real country doesn’t get any more real than real country singers like Kellie. That’s why she’s about the only one in 7 seasons to sing country classics like Walkin’ After Midnight on Idol and get the best reviews from the judges. It’s why she nails the country classics every time she sings them at the Opry and concerts. It’s also why great singer Jennifer Nettles chose to invite Kellie to tour with Sugarland because like Kristian said he and Jennifer both know Kellie has a true authentic country voice. Kellie can also change it up and sing pop/rock crossover songs or just about anything flawlessly.
JP, yes Kellie Pickler knows how to get attention with her amazing voice and singing. The same things that brought my attention to Carrie Underwood also brought my attention to Kellie Pickler, mostly their fantastic singing. Starting when they first performed on Idol and they are the only 2 country singers I’ve ever voted for. So I wonder what you’ve got to say about that?
Kellie Pickler: Dove, Songbird, and Eagle! says:
L, you make me laugh! Fortunately you aren’t the blog police and don’t control this blog or tell people how and what to post. After all this is America, courtesy of the Red, White and Blue!
JP says:
No one said you did guess….it was jan.
flower says:
carrie looked pretty but her song was a ok? soso, but still a fan!
diamond says:
i have seen taylor sing live 2 times and she was great both times. and taylor really knows how to put on a great show!!!!GO TAYLOR JUST KEEP BEING YOURSELF!!!!
Karen says:
I have yet to hear Taylor sing on key live. I actually turn the radio station when she sings. Kellie can sing but I don’t like her enough to listen to her cd much. Sugarland is good and I play them quite a bit. Carrie Underwood is remarkable. I love the sound of her voice. She is my favorite, followed by Martina and Faith.