Kellie Pickler photo courtesy of PFA Media.

Ram Truck wants to bring you up close and personal with some of your favorite country stars. The ‘Road to the Ram Jam’ series will feature five of today’s best country artists leading up to an invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert on December 29 in Nashville where all the artists will perform. Kellie Pickler is the first artist announced to help launch the series.

The Road to the Ram Jam series will bring country fans closer to their favorite artists with exclusive video content, the opportunity to win prizes, free music downloads and the chance to enter to win trips for two to the Ram Jam concert. For more information and to enter the sweepstakes, visit www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam.

As part of the series, Kellie is offering fans a chance to win a free download of her latest single, “Tough,” when they enter to win a trip to Ram Jam. The remaining four artists participating in Ram Jam will be announced throughout the year. All five artists will receive a one-year lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will then be auctioned off in 2013 and all proceeds will go to a military-focused charity of each artist’s choice.

“The first thing I learned to drive was my grandpa’s truck so I’m definitely a truck girl,” said Kellie. “I’m excited to be part of Ram Truck’s Road to the Ram Jam. We’re going to have a lot of fun on that “Road” – me and my Laramie. I’m also excited that we will be auctioning off my Ram truck at the end of the year to benefit our veterans in need.”

Fans can see behind-the-scenes footage of Kellie in her Ram at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam as she talks about her love for trucks, her new album, 100 Proof, and how she supports our troops with the USO. She has chosen USO as the charity to receive the proceeds from the auction of her truck in 2013.

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Kellie Pickler's 2012 CD, 100 Proof. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Kellie Pickler has been crisscrossing the country promoting her new album, 100 Proof, which hit stores last week.  She made several TV appearances in both New York City and Los Angeles, including Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres show, before heading south to Kennesaw, GA and Monroe, NC over the weekend to meet fans and sign copies of her new album.

On Saturday, Kellie spent six hours at Best Buy in Kennesaw, meeting fans, signing autographs and taking photos. On Sunday, she headed to her home state of North Carolina to meet hundreds of fans at a Monroe Wal-Mart, many of whom camped outside all night just to meet her.

Read our review of Kellie Pickler’s 100 Proof >>

Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

One fan was so eager to meet Kellie that he received his first speeding ticket on his way to the meet-and-greet (see the photo on the left). The cop who wrote him the ticket showed up at the signing and even posed for a picture with Kellie and the speedster. Kellie signed the young man’s ticket ‘Slow Down (or don’t get caught).’

Kellie is back in New York City this week. Fans can catch her perform on ABC’s The View on Wednesday, February 1.

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Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/hankjr.

Hank Williams Jr. – HankJr: Just came across this pic, such an honor to be on stage with these ol’ boys

Blake Shelton – BlakeShelton: There’s one thing I’ve learned this week… The only thing that’s stronger than a broken heart is opening your heart. I love you dad…

Chris Young – ChrisYoungMusic: Holy crap!!!!! 2 ACM nom’s?!?! Are you freaking kidding me!! #thisisagreatmorning

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/kelliepickler.

Kellie Pickler – KelliePickler: Me & my gang! #NYwillneverbethesame

Brad Paisley – BradPaisley: Denver is such a cool city. And thanks for singing with me @TimTebow . But don’t quit your day job pal.

Martina McBride – MartinaMcBride: If there was ever a house that needed someone to go to the grocery store…this would be it. #cupboardsarebare #pleasestopraining

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/LukeBryanOnline.

Luke Bryan – LukeBryanOnline: Luke recently stopped by SeaWorld Orlando to meet one of his biggest fans Clyde the sea lion.

The Band Perry – The BandPerry: On our way to The Land of Potatoes.

Sarah Darling – _SarahDarling: Crazy night in Nashville as I took shelter in my Shower! Not a fan of tornados!! Glad we are all safe. #tired

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/joeyandrory.

Joey + Rory – JoeyandRory: my wife, the singer/cow-whisperer… helping a new born calf this morning. Another reason I love her so much

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Suzanne Alexander & Kellie Pickler on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Julee Cobb.

This week on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown, Kellie Pickler drops by to talk with Suzanne Alexander about her brand new album, 100 Proof, which hit stores January 24, and her current single, “Tough.” Nan Kelley will also count down this week’s Top 20 videos, voted on by you! Tune in tonight at 9/8 CT to catch Kellie and see which video tops the chart this week! Check the full schedule of all airtimes »

Read our review of Kellie Pickler’s 100 Proof >>

If you missed a few episodes of Top 20 or want to re-watch some of your favorite interviews, head over to our Top 20 section for videos, photos and more! You can also catch a few Top 20 Extras, cast your votes, and take a look at the current chart to see where your favorite videos land. Visit Top 20 >>

Remember, GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is chosen by you, the viewers. Be sure to head over to our voting page and cast your votes daily for your favorite videos!

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Kellie Pickler photo courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media. Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

In honor of Cat Appreciation Month in February, animal lover Kellie Pickler has teamed up with Fresh Step litter and fashion designer Geren Ford to design a limited-edition cat sweater that will benefit the ASPCA. Available for purchase online at www.aspcaonlinestore.com, 100 percent of proceeds will go to the ASPCA.

“It’s time for cat lovers to truly display their cat pride,” Kellie said. “I collaborated with fellow cat lover and designer Geren Ford to create a sweater that we hope any cat parent would wear to show their kitty pride and that all animal lovers can wear in support of the ASPCA.”

Read our review of Kellie Pickler’s 100 Proof album! >>

Fans who aren’t looking to purchase a new sweater can log on to the Fresh Step Facebook page and use the online app to digitally place people in Kellie’s cat sweater or one of four other sweater options. Fresh Step will donate $1 to the ASPCA for every photo posted, through March 15, 2012, up to $100,000.

“Cats are pretty much the coolest animals alive,” Fresh Step spokesperson David Kargas said. “They’re mysterious, finicky and funny. Rather than keeping that love behind closed doors or in the anonymity of YouTube channels, we want to bring it out into the open and invite people to show just how much they love cats.  And while they do it, they can do some good too, as Fresh Step will support the ASPCA’s programs in their honor.”

Fans have the opportunity to win Kellie’s own sweater, which is being auctioned off at www.charitybuzz.com/aspca. Included in the auction package are two tickets to one of Kellie’s concerts, a meet-and-greet, and an autographed copy of her new album, 100 Proof. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the ASPCA. Check out fun photos of Kellie and a couple feline friends at the Fresh Step unveiling of her new sweater HERE.

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Kellie Pickler's 2012 CD, 100 Proof. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Kellie Pickler’s latest video, “Tough,” draws on her real life relationship with her father. In the video, a young Kellie is playing with her doll house when police burst in and arrest her father. In between shots of Kellie performing the song in a ‘tough’ outfit of ripped jeans and a white tank top, a teenage Kellie visits her father in jail and they share a tender moment. The video ends with a long-awaited reunion.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Tough” is the first single from Kellie’s new album, 100 Proof, out tomorrow. You can read GAC’s review of the album HERE!

Kellie also stopped by the studios last week for a live broadcast of The Collection, hosted by Storme Warren. Kellie and Storme watched some of her videos and Kellie took calls on the air from some lucky fans before she dashed off to join Suzanne Alexander for a live chat with fans on our Facebook page via UStream. If you missed it, we recorded it and you can watch it right HERE!

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! This week, Miranda Lambert thanks fans for their support after Blake Shelton’s father passed away, Jake Owen  keeps fans updated on his broken collarbone from the waiting room, Josh Kelley shares a photo of wife Katherine Heigl that may land him in the doghouse and Taylor Swift puts her TV remote in its place. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/ladyantebellum.

Lady Antebellum – LadyAntebellum: We are all ready and excited! #OwnTheNightWorldTour

Miranda Lambert – Miranda_Lambert: Thank you all for your kindness and prayer. Our family means everything to us. Blake and I appreciate the support so much.

Jake Owen – JakeOwen: In the Dr. waiting on my sentence.. You know it’s not good when he comes in and says “That break is worse than the football teams”. Damn.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/joshkelley.

Josh Kelley – JoshBKelley: My girl getting her hair done for ONE FOR THE MONEY movie press

Storme Warren – StormeWarren: Hard lesson learned. Wear ski pole straps PROPERLY! Lazy = injury. Almost got BOTH thumbs. Close call. Better yet… Don’t use straps!

Charlie Daniels - CharlieDaniels: Went back and snowmobiled the mountain where I had my stroke 2 years ago,had a ball,ain’t God good!

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/kelliepickler.

Kellie Pickler – KelliePickler: Found a picture of me & Kyle fishing’ at one of Saddam’s Palaces on a USO tour. #BringingTheRedneckToAPalaceNearYou

Taylor Swift – TaylorSwift13: Apparently my only way of dealing with a remote control that isn’t working right is to bang it on the table and scream ‘COME ON!’

Little Big Town – LBTMusic: I wish @mattnathanson would serenade me from the top of my stairs…. sexy devil. jimi

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/BradPaisley.

Brad Paisley - BradPaisley: I’ve never been cooler than this…

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 Top 20 Country Countdown is all new tonight as host Nan Kelley counts down the videos you chose from 20 all the way to 1! Last Week, Taylor Swift’s latest video, “Ours,” topped the charts, with videos from Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Chris Young and Luke Bryan and rounding out the Top 5. Does Taylor hang on to the top spot? Tune in tonight at 9/8 CT — the new Top 20 air time — to find out. Check the full schedule of all airtimes »

If you missed a few episodes of Top 20 or want to watch some of your favorite interviews again, head over to our Top 20 section for videos, photos and more! You can also catch a few Top 20 Extras, cast your votes, and take a look at the current Top 20 chart to see where your favorite videos land. Visit Top 20! >>

Remember, GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is chosen by you, the viewers. Make sure to head over to our voting page and cast your votes daily for your favorite videos!

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Kellie Pickler chats with Suzanne Alexander about her new CD, 100 Proof, and chats with fans live on Facebook.com/GAC. Photo by Cheryl Ecton.

We had such a great time hanging with Kellie Pickler last night! Kellie visited our studio and did a live broadcast of The Collection, hosted by Storme Warren. Kellie and Storme watched some of her videos and Kellie took calls on the air from some lucky fans.

Immediately after shooting The Collection, Kellie did a live chat with fans on our Facebook page, via UStream. If you missed last night’s chat, don’t worry — we recorded it and you can watch it right here! During the chat, Kellie discusses her new album, 100 Proof (read our review), her love of vinyl records, being a role model, her advice to teenagers, her personal hero and more!

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Kellie Pickler's 2012 CD, 100 Proof. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

A quick glance at the song titles on 100 Proof and it’s apparent that Kellie Pickler is reaching back to her country roots on her first record since 2008’s self-titled release. 100 Proof, due in stores next week, is the 25-year old American Idol alum’s third studio album and first with producers Frank Liddell (Miranda Lambert) and Luke Wooten.

“Where’s Tammy Wynette,” “Unlock That Honky Tonk,” and “Stop Cheatin’ On Me” are an album-opening trifecta effectively serving notice that Kellie is dishing up a collection of songs with a traditional slant. Tell me how you fry a skillet of chicken in high heels and a skirt, she sings smartly with syrupy Southern twang on the shuffling “Where’s Tammy Wynette,” before launching into stories about protecting her man from that hussy over there and sitting alone at the kitchen table with a bottle of wine.

Kellie’s undeniable country voice is an easy match for such traditional ingredients, but her ability to develop melodies shows an ever-growing musical maturity. Kellie co-wrote six of the album’s eleven songs including the Dolly-esque “Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song).” Descriptions such as, The night’s like an ocean off of our back porch/ We’re movin’ like waves swayin’ back and forth, flow easily to match the open country/rock groove. On “Long As I Never See You Again,” an acoustic number pulling on those honky tonk heartstrings, Kellie skillfully descends to aching depths through the line, It’s never easy when love comes to an end with a classic vocal touch that sounds like the soundtrack to a lonely barroom.

The album’s first single, “Tough,” is the record’s most aggressive song. Featuring locked-in acoustic rhythms and a snapping snare drum, Kellie holds the tension through the first verse before opening up in the chorus. There ain’t nothing wrong with a woman that has a little back bone, she sings self-assuredly while proclaiming the virtues of her rough edges. Though several songs on 100 Proof have an element of that attitude, it’s the loving title-track that leaves the strongest impression.

Beautiful, swirling harmonies are executed with precision to add dynamic layers at every level of the title-cut “100 Proof.” Whether it’s the opening guitar/bass instrumentation or the gorgeous vocal melodies, the exceptional interplay is compelling as the entire song moves together. We’ll dance all night on the edge of can’t get enough, Kellie sings in the chorus before adding, And we’ll wake up in the morning like we always do/ drunk on the beautiful truth, we got love, 100 proof.

100 Proof closes with the album’s bravest and most personal song. “The Letter (To Daddy)” is a tender message of unconditional love to her father, a recovering alcoholic. Supported by only a soft acoustic guitar, Kellie sings, You’ve finally gotten sober and found some peace of mind, after initially admitting her childhood was robbed by the bottle. It’s an intimate recording right down to the almost inaudible creaking of musician’s chairs toward the end of the song. It’s also a parting message that illustrates 100 Proof succeeds on the history of its traditional influences as well as Kellie’s own honesty and personal experience.

Key tracks – “100 Proof,” “Tough,” Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song),” “The Letter (To Daddy)”

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