By Christian Scalise

“Blonde Ambition Makes Good Impression”

Country Music bombshell Kellie Pickler made her long awaited return to Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Wednesday December 16th, 2009 much to the excitement of a packed house to attend country station US99’s last "8 Shows At Joes" concert series of the year.

The bar was nicely decorated for the Christmas season with white lights, wreaths and garland. Their newly added upper tier viewing bar gave some lucky VIP’s a bird’s eye view of the concert performance.

The show was opened by newcomer and fellow label mate Chris Janson before Kellie took the stage at 9:00pm beginning her show with "Best Days of Your Life” and "Gotta Keep Moving."

Looking hot in a pair of slim fitting black leather leggings with a matching sleeveless top, Kellie enticingly strutted onto the stage as if it were her own personal catwalk. Did I mention she wore a pair of almost unimaginably walkable spiked heels?!? (Work it girl, work it!!!)

I was surprised to find out that Kellie had switched her fairly recent red locks back to her platinum blonde color with a tint of red highlights seen throughout her “bob cut.” Never saw the red hair in person but I’ve always loved her as a blonde personally. (One of the concert goers inside told me that when her father told her she resembled her mother as a redhead…it wasn’t too long before the blonde came back!!)      

Kellie’s first single “Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind” from her debut album “Small Town Girl” had every woman in the audience cheering along in complete agreement with each and every lyric. The song has a catchy hook to it and Kellie sure knows how to play out her part on it.

The hilarious kiss-off "Rocks Instead Of Rice" and seductively coy "Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again" took well to the audience with their carefree messages.

Kellie informed the audience about the story behind her latest single “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” a ballad that was originally featured on her debut album. After pleading with the bigwigs at her record label, the song was re-released on her#1 best selling self-titled sophomore album at Pickler’s very own request. It’s nice to see that Kellie has an intuitive influence on the creative process of her music!  

Kellie’s hit single “Don't You Know Your Beautiful" received an immediate strong approval rating once again from the women in the audience making it the “anthem” of the evening for their hopes and dreams in life.

Kellie lovingly thanked the audience for being present, to country radio for playing her songs, and to her dedicated fans for their continued love and support. This is a small town country girl who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and doesn’t let the glitz and glam of the celebrity lifestyle affect the way she interacts with her audience. That is what I admire most about Kellie…her humility and sheer honesty that always shines through her beloved southern persona… I hope she stays that way always.

Hitting close to home for many of the music fans in the audience, including myself, Kellie spoke of her love for traditional country music. Kellie outstandingly paid tribute to country legends Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton on her performance of iconic hits "Stand By Your Man" and “9 to 5."

Shaking her hips and moving to the music, it was clearly apparent that Kellie immensely enjoyed her renditions of the country queen’s signature tunes that paved the way for the women in country music during an era of the business where mostly men dominated the charts. It’s thanks to people like Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton for turning that around.  

This evening was full of short stories and jokes compliments of Kellie herself! She took a moment to chat about her past tours since being on American Idol in 2006 with some of the best names in the business such as Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts among others. She also spoke very highly of her multiple trips to visit and perform for our dear troops serving overseas. Matter of a fact, she is headed over there once again later this month just in time for a Christmas visit.

Sitting on a black stool Kellie slowed things down a bit showing a very personal side to her through the moving lyrics of "I Wonder," an autobiographical ballad about her rise to stardom, estranged mother and disappointing events that took place during that time of her life. Kellie tried very hard to hold back her tears, but she ended up becoming misty-eyed during the performance. It didn’t bother me one bit, if anything I felt that it conveyed raw emotion and the true feelings from the song.

Closing out the night of great music and unique entertainment, Kellie treated the audience with her signature hit "Red High Heels." Graciously staying after to sign autographs, shake hands, and pose for pictures from the stage Kellie’s show ended at 10pm.

Full Set List:

1. Best Days Of Your Life

2. Gotta Keep Moving

3. Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind

4. Rocks Instead Of Rice

5. Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful

6. Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You

7. One Of The Guys

8. Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again

9. Anything But Me

10. Stand By Your Man (Cover)

11. 9 to 5 (Cover)

12. I Wonder

13. Red High Heels

Enjoy pictures from the show below: (Photo credit ©Christian Scalise. Do not use images without prior consent.)