NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mar. 10, 2014 – Country music singer/songwriter and dance enthusiast Kellie Pickler performed two songs while members of the Nashville Ballet company danced during the Ballet Ball 2014 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center last Saturday, Mar. 8.  Pickler sang “Someone Somewhere Tonight” and “Buzzin’” from her recently released, critically-acclaimed album The Woman I Am as the dancers performed choreography created by Artistic Director & CEO, Paul Vasterling.

The performance drew a standing ovation, and the audience once again roared with applause when Pickler took final bows with the dancers.  During the night, Pickler spoke about her love for storytelling through both song and dance.

The 2014 black tie gala marks the Ballet Ball’s silver anniversary. For 25 years, Ballet Ball has provided necessary funding for Nashville Ballet’s Outreach & Education Program, which introduces the art of dance to more than 30,000 children and families throughout Nashville and the surrounding area each year.

Pickler discovered her passion for dance last year when she competed on, and ultimately won, ABC Television’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Her partner and coach from the show, Derek Hough, later choreographed and danced with her in the music video for “Someone Somewhere Tonight,” which was nominated for an American Country Award for Music Video of the Year – Female in 2013.

Kellie Pickler grew up immersed in country music in the small town of Albemarle, North Carolina with the words of Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton shaping her musical footing.   At the age of 19, she gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of “American Idol.”  In 2006, she signed with 19 Recordings/BNA Records and released her debut album, Small Town Girl, which has gone on to sell more than 900,000 copies worldwide and produce three hit  singles: “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.” She followed that in 2008 with her self-titled sophomore record, featuring country radio hits “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” “Best Days of Your Life” (co-written with Taylor Swift and her first Top 10), and “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You.”  Having established herself as not only a powerful vocalist but also a songwriter, Pickler released her third studio album, 100 Proof, in 2011 to huge critical acclaim. The album was named the No. 1 Country Album of The Year by Rolling Stone and was listed on “Best of 2012” lists by Washington Post, Rhapsody, AOL’s The Boot and more. In spring of 2013, Pickler partnered with dance coach Derek Hough and won the Mirror Ball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars.” On Nov. 11, 2013, Pickler released her new album, The Woman I Am, on her new label home, Black River Entertainment. She co-wrote three songs on the album, including the title cut. The album, which has received much critical acclaim, contains her new single “Closer to Nowhere,” as well as her recent hits “Little Bit Gypsy” and “Someone Somewhere Tonight.” Pickler is also an avid supporter of the U.S. military, having recently completed her seventh USO Tour in December 2013. For more information, please visit www.kelliepickler.com.

Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. The School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.

Nashville Ballet is funded in part by Ingram Charitable Trust, Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Caterpillar Financial, ELAN Hair and Skin, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, The HCA Foundation, The Mall at Green Hills and thousands of individuals who contribute to our annual operating fund. For more information about the Nashville Ballet, visit www.nashvilleballet.com.

Released 03.10.14
Essential Broadcast Media
© Photo Credit: Nashville Ballet

# # #