Kellie Pickler recently opened up about the singers who inspired her to pursue a career in music. She said that she became a fan of country music at a young age and never stopped listening to it or wanting to become a singer.

She grew up listening to a wide range of country music artists, and said that several of them helped shape her into the singer she is today. Two singers who had the biggest influence on her as a singer are Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn.

“She is one of the reasons I fell in love with country music,” she said of Tammy Wynette. “I have sat on my bus and YouTubed videos of her singing. I just close my eyes and I feel like she’s right there with me, singing. I’m hanging on to every word. And I love that she just stood there and sang her songs.”

Pickler also talked about Loretta Lynn and how she admired her ability to capture an audience.

“We did a show a few years ago with Loretta Lynn in Canada … She stood there, behind that microphone, and just sang hit after hit, and everyone was hanging on every note, every lyric,” she said. “She didn’t need people swinging from the rafters to get their attention. She had the power of a great country song.”

Pickler went on to say how important her music is to her, but insisted that her family comes first and is also a huge inspiration for her and motivates her to do her best at all times.

#TheWomanIAm is on vinyl! If you Preorder a copy on my site now I'll sign it before it ships! http://t.co/fpdWzX4G5Q pic.twitter.com/PBvEE8wlfS

— kellie pickler (@kelliepickler) June 19, 2014

“My husband Kyle changed my life,” she says. “He is my sanctuary and my safe place to come to. We write together and we work together some and he brings out the best in me … He makes me a better person and a better artist.”

Do you think Kellie Pickler’s music is similar to Tammy Wynette’s or Loretta Lynn’s?

Image via Wikimedia Commons