might rush a phone interview to get back to her busy life. But in the true Southern way, she was nothing but polite. She gave Americanidol.com her full attention.

First upthe tour, which Kellie said was great but very long; doing 60 shows over three months. However, it was wonderful for her to be able to perform for all the fans that had been voting for her during the American Idol season. Like most of the other Idols on the tour, Kellie got sick, but she said that this could be expected considering all the time spent on planes and shaking peoples hands.

She is absolutely ecstatic about the success of her single, Red High Heels.? In fact, Kellie just had a chance to watch the video on CMT, and she and her management team are thrilled with the results. The director treated the video as a collaborative effort, allowing her to watch their united vision to come to life on TV. Its exciting to know that I get to live out my dreams but also do what I want.?

Kellie says that the single, which is about a woman who is jilted but walks way triumphant in a pair of sassy red high heels, is reflective of a relationship that shes had in the past. In fact, she said, all the songs she chose for her first CD include pieces? of her life. Some of the songs were co-written by her and others were simply chosen by her for the new album. Song-writing is a new talent of hers that she discovered while on the American Idol tour. In the past, she admitted trying it but that it didnt quite come together. But now, with her contributing her own lyrics, she feels that she plays a more intimate? role in her work. A case in point is the song, I Wonder?, which was written by her as a kind of letter to her mother. Kellie called it the most personal and hardest to record?, but said it was nice to put her feelings into lyrical form.

She had some pretty insightful opinions on her personal life being revealed to a nationwide audience during the course of the American Idol season. First of all, she said that, in choosing a profession in entertainment, you dont really have a choice. Your life pretty much has to be an open book. Second of all, honesty is the best policy for a few different reasons. Not only will the media discover the information anyway, but Kellie feels that she can teach other people going through something similar not to be ashamed. According to her, life is about the choices you make and she is proud of the choices she has made thus far.

There certainly was no bitterness from Kellie towards the judges regarding their occasionally harsh critiques of her performances on the show. She said that Randy, Paula and Simon are total professionals. For her or any of the other Idols to disregard their advice would be, as she stated, ignorant.? She was very careful to take their advice and constructive criticism and apply it to her performances on the show and even her performances to this day.

Kellie was also quick to say that the chemistry between all of her fellow Idols was just great. In fact, Kelly continued, we were like a big family? and that there was no animosity between any of them at all.

She also had nothing but good things to say about the guest celebrities on the show, calling Kenny Rogers the best, most down-to-earth sweetheart? and the same for Barry and Rod. She gushed that the Queen guest spot was legendary? and admitted that she is a huge fan. She was impressed that they took the time to do American Idol the very same night that they had a show.

Like most performers, Kellie saw her wardrobe as a way to change up her personas on the show. Her favorite outfit was the leather boots and leather jacket that she wore on Queen Night because she was able to step out of character.? As far as her favorite performance night, she loved doing the Reba song on Country night, as she is a long-time Reba fan.

Kellie is an old soul when it comes to the musical influences in her life. Shes definitely a sucker for the legends, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and June Carter Cash. She also called herself the biggest Dolly fan?, saying that shes always wanted to write and perform with her. That is when she says shell know shes arrived!

At this point, there is no decision made on what single will be the follow-up to Red High Heels.? Kellie said that the choice will most likely be left up to the fan reaction and what songs get requested most on the radio. The CD, "Small Town Girl", is going to be released on Halloween and she couldnt be more excited.

While some might have questioned Kellies sophistication, our interview with her reveals that this young woman has a very good head on her shoulders. Dolly or no Dolly--Kellie has arrived!