Season 5’s Kellie Pickler took time out of her super busy schedule promoting 100 Proof to talk with her “Idol family” today. Read what she had to say about her new album, her husband, American Idol, and more!

Kellie released her third album, 100 Proof, on Tuesday. She said, “I’m so excited and happy it’s finally out. I worked so hard on it. I’ve never poured myself into something like I have with this album. It’s been three and a half years since my last album, and a lot has happened in my life since then. I’m so proud of it. I worked with Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten who co-produced the album. I love the sound of the album. We brought in the most incredible musicians that exist. They played on some of my favorite artists’ records.”

The album has a traditional country feel to it, and Kellie relayed, “My favorite style is traditional classic country music. Everyone’s definition is different and I think that’s great—there’s room for it all! I grew up listening to this kind of music. The first song I ever learned was Hank Williams, Sr.’s “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It,” thanks to Grandpa Pickler. I love Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn. I just love classic country. This was the first time I’ve been allowed to do this. I’ve been wanting to from the get-go, but you don’t get to call all the shots. I still don’t get to call all the shots, but I’ve been able to get my message across and make this type of record.”

Kellie co-wrote six of the 11 songs on the album, including “Mother’s Day,” a song she wrote with her husband, Kyle Jacobs. What inspires Kellie to write? She answered, “My life is a country song. I’m inspired by things that happened to me or people I know. Kyle and I wrote “Mother’s Day” right before we got engaged. At that time, we felt like we’d be together forever, but we weren’t engaged yet. The song is so personal, as was the experience of writing it together. There’s a line in it about having a daughter one day. He’s just so wonderful. Kyle is the greatest thing that’s happened to me. I’m so blessed to be able to come home to him every night. Everybody deserves finding a relationship like that!”

An animal lover, Kellie recently partnered with the makers of Fresh Step® litter for Cat Appreciation Month this February to support the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). “We partnered and designed a sweater, and all proceeds go to ASPCA, and not in any of our pockets. I work with a lot of charities, and it’s rare to find one where 100% goes to the actual charity. It’s a really wonderful cause. Go to Fresh Step’s Facebook page to find out how you can get one. I’m excited about this fun side project. I love animals, especially cats, and I’ve never designed anything before.” Would Kellie consider designing more in the future? “If the right opportunity came along, I would consider it.”

It’s hard to believe it has been six years since Kellie was on American Idol. Since we’re currently in the audition phase of Season 11, we asked Kellie, “How did that golden ticket to Hollywood change your life?” Kellie opened up saying, “My life changed before I ran out the door with my ticket. My life changed as soon as the judges put the ticket in my hand, and it’s been non-stop ever since. I am so appreciative of what American Idol has done for me. I do not take it for granted. I know it would be harder to have this life and this career if American Idol did not work out for me. I’m so very blessed to have had the experience and to move to Nashville and to make records. I still go crazy when I think it’s been six years. So much happens in such a short time on American Idol. Life changes over night and there’s no way to prepare for it. I encourage anyone who is on this season to really have fun. Before you know it, it’s over. The hours on American Idol are so long and it’s so hard, but America only sees the fun part. The three hours of shows per week is all they see—just the fun part. There is work 24 hours a day to prepare for those three hours of fun. The preparation is a full-time job. I always said that I’m working when I’m offstage, and I’m playing when I’m on stage. When I’m not performing, I’m busting my butt so that I get the opportunity to be on stage and have fun. A lot of people that watch Idol only see the play and don’t know the hard work and sacrifices it takes to be on Idol. When I was on the show, many of the other contestants were close with their family and it was hard for them to be away from them. Some of them even had kids. It takes a lot of adjusting. My husband Kyle always calls me a Redneck Gypsy because I love being all over the place. I just feel so blessed to have been a part of American Idol, and I look forward to hopefully coming back on the show to perform one day soon.”

Who from Season 5 does Kellie still keep in touch with? “Katharine McPhee and I became really close on the show. I was on the phone with her just two days ago. We were talking about how amazing and exciting her upcoming TV show is going to be. She was born for the stage and she was born to be on camera. She’s the whole package and I’m glad Idol opened that door for her. She’s working with Steven Spielberg now which is just incredible. American Idol has a big part in all of our lives. I still talk occasionally to Mandisa, I’ve seen Chris Daughtry on the road, and I’ve run into Bucky Covington. Everyone from our season is so busy and has such a unique story.”

To all of Kellie’s fans she says, “Thank you so much. I still feel weird about having fans. I like to say they are my friends. I have a lot of ‘friends’ that support me. I appreciate everyone’s support who Picked Pickler. Yesterday, I signed albums for almost nine hours in Monroe, North Carolina. I was so shocked that people waited that long—some over 12 hours—to meet me. I still get so amazed at the love everyone gave to me on American Idol. I appreciate it because the people that watch American Idol are really a part of the beginning of your career because they have the big part of deciding how long to keep you on the show. I meet people all the time, just like at yesterday’s signing, that say ‘We voted for you on American Idol.” They’re still following me and coming to my shows and buying my records. I have a special connection with the people that watched and voted.”

See Kellie’s American Idol transformation with this photo gallery.