VOA标准英语2012--'100 Proof' Reflects Big Changes for Kellie Pickler

'100 Proof' Reflects Big Changes for Kellie Pickler

Pickler says she finally found her creative identity on her third album, “100 Proof.” With titles like “Where’s Tammy Wynette” and “Unlock That Honky Tonk,” the songs showcase her traditional Country roots and early musical influences.

Pickler grew up in North Carolina, where she fell in love with the music of Country legends Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. Although she envisioned following in their traditional Country footsteps, she was led into Nashville’s trendy Country-Pop direction on her first two albums. She proved her talent with hits such as “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder” and “Best Days of Your Life.”

“Tough” was the first single released from “100 Proof.” Although it failed to reach the Top 20, Pickler is confident that she made the right decision to take creative control of the project. 

Pickler co-wrote six songs on the album, including this ballad¹ that she composed on Mother’s Day with her husband of one year, Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs.

“Mother’s Day” deals with the holiday Pickler never shared with her own mother. Her mom claims she left the family due to physical abuse inflicted² on her by Pickler’s father.

For “100 Proof,” Pickler switched producers, this time working with veteran hitmakers Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten. They allowed her to be true to herself and not be concerned with making a record for the sake of achieving radio hits.

The most autobiographical song on “100 Proof” is “The Letter,” a track she wrote for her father, who battled alcohol and drug addiction³ and spent time in and out of prison during Pickler’s childhood years. Happily, they stayed in contact and continue to have a close relationship.

1 ballad   

n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲

参考例句：

• This poem has the distinctive flavour of a ballad.这首诗有民歌风味。
• This is a romantic ballad that is pure corn.这是一首极为伤感的浪漫小曲。

2 inflicted   

把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They inflicted a humiliating defeat on the home team. 他们使主队吃了一场很没面子的败仗。
• Zoya heroically bore the torture that the Fascists inflicted upon her. 卓娅英勇地承受法西斯匪徒加在她身上的酷刑。

3 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。