Kellie Pickler headlines free concert at MATS

Since capturing attention as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol, Kellie Pickler has gone on to become somewhat of a quadruple threat: successful country singer, winner on he 16th season of Dancing With the Stars, co-host of a successful daytime variety show, and creator of the Selma Drye collection of home furnishings.

Kellie Pickler, center, with Pickler & Ben co-host Ben Aaron and Kimberly SchlapmanKellie Pickler, center, with Pickler & Ben co-host Ben Aaron and Kimberly Schlapman

And, she’ll headline the free concert sponsored by ExxonMobil and the Mobil Delvac at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville March 22 – 24.

Pickler was just 19 when she appeared on American Idol in 2005. She appeared until she was eliminated in her 10th week on the show.

After that came record deals and her first album, Small Town Girl, reached number one on the country charts in the fall of 2006 and went on to be certified gold. She’s had three other studio albums since then.

Today she co-hosts Pickler & Ben, a daytime talk show with co-host Ben Aaron. It airs on CMT.

The concert at MATS is Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in Freedom Hall of the Kentucky Exposition Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and the show kicks off at 7 p.m. Free tickets will be available at the Mobil Delvac booth (booth #18160 in the North Hall) on Thursday and Friday during show hours.

“Every year, the Mobil Delvac Driver Appreciation Concert gives us the chance to spend time with and honor the remarkable men and women who drive today’s trucking industry forward,” said Cassandra Clarke, commercial offer advisor for on-highway vehicles at ExxonMobil. “We’re proud to be sponsoring our tenth straight concert, and we look forward to celebrating with our colleagues and friends across the industry in Louisville.”