Kellie Pickler performs live for first time since husband’s 2023 death
Kellie Pickler performs Kellie Pickler performs onstage during Walkin' After Midnight: The Music Of Patsy Cline at Ryman Auditorium on April 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country singer Kellie Pickler is once again on stage, more than a year after the death of her husband last year.
Pickler appeared Monday at an event honoring Patsy Cline in Nashville, Tennessee, USA Today reported. Fans gave her a standing ovation as she entered the stage, E! News reported.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was incredibly nervous right now,” she said in a TikTok video shared by Music Mayem Magazine. “It’s the first time I’ve been up on stage in a while.”
#KelliePickler returned to the stage to honor late country music icon #PatsyCline with a special performance of “The Woman I Am,” a song she co-wrote with her late husband, Kyle Jacobs. @Kellie Pickler
She performed “The Woman I Am,” a song co-written by Pickler and her husband Kyle Jacobs for her 2013 album, HuffPost reported. Jacobs died by suicide in February 2023, USA Today reported.
The show was at the Ryman Auditorium. Pickler said the last time she was there was during a date night with Jacobs.
“I know he is here with us tonight,” she told the crowd.
Pickler and Jacobs married in 2011 and the pair appeared on the CMT reality series “I Love Kellie Pickler, according to HuffPost. In addition to songwriting with his wife, Jacobs also worked with Kelly Clarkson, Tim McCraw and Garth Brooks.
Pickler remained silent for months after her husband’s death, telling The Tennessean in August, “One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still,’ I have chosen to heed his advice.”
The tribute concert — “Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline” — featured Wynonna Judd, Rita Wilson, Beverly D’Angelo, Crystal Gayle, Pat Benatar and Kristin Chenoweth alongside Pickler.
Note: If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website.
Through the years HOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 18: American Idol semi-finalist Kellie Pickler attends the American Idol Semi-Finalists Party at Cinespace on February 18, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - MAY 01: Former American Idol contestants Kellie Pickler and Constantine Maroulis attend the opening night of the new Broadway musical and comedy "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Marquis Theatre May 1, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images) (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 24: Former American Idols Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Melissa McGhee perform onstage during the American Idol Season 5 Finale on May 24, 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years DAYTONA, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Singer Kellie Pickler changes a tire during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2007 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Through the years DAYTONA, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Singer Kellie Pickler sings the national anthem prior to the start of the during the NASCAR Busch Series Orbitz 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2007 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) (John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Through the years LAS VEGAS - MAY 14: Singer Kellie Pickler performs onstage during the first ever Academy Of Country Music New Artists' Show Party for a Cause, benefiting the ACM Charitable Fund held at the MGM Grand Ballroom, MGM Grand Conference Center on May 14, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS - MAY 15: Muzik Mafia member Two Foot Fred poses behind singers Kellie Pickler (L) and Taylor Swift as they arrive at the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 11: Singers/Songwriters Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler and LeAnn Rimes attend the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards nominations announcement at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on February 11, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS - MAY 18: Singer Kellie Pickler onstage during the 43rd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 16: Songwriter Kyle Jacobs with Girlfriend Singer/Songwriter Kellie Pickler backstage during the "Music City Keep on Playin'" benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium on May 16, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 04: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS. SPECIAL RATES APPLY) "Dancing With The Stars" Winner Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough attend The Grand Ole Opry on June 4, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 06: Kellie Pickler and Sean Combs speak onstage during the 47th annual CMA awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 6, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 07: Singer Kellie Pickler (L) and Staff Sgt. Baily Zimmerman perform onstage during ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ACM) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ACM)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Kellie Pickler attends the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE national media kickoff event at Houston Hall on May 13, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for American Lung Association) (Theo Wargo)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 13: Singer Kellie Pickler performs onstage during the 2015 CMA Festival on June 13, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 07: Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs attend the 2017 CMT Music awards at the Music City Center on June 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Kellie Pickler performs before the 86th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center on November 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 22: Kellie Pickler performs onstage during Walkin' After Midnight: The Music Of Patsy Cline at Ryman Auditorium on April 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)