On Wednesday, March 20th, Taste of Country reported that Kellie Pickler would be performing again. This will be her first performance following the tragic loss of her husband, Kyle Jacobs, in February 2023.
Taste of Country confirmed what Kellie’s fans and followers have been eagerly waiting for — her return to singing on stage. On April 22, 2024, Kellie will be singing on stage again. She’s chosen the most extraordinary performance hall in Music City for her return: Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Taste of Country reported that Kellie is “one of the artists” who’s been added to the “all-star lineup” for a show called Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline. The Ryman announced Kellie’s addition to the Walkin’ After Midnight lineup in a March 18th post on X.
The show is gearing up to be a celebrity-studded celebration of Patsy’s “life and musical legacy.” It will include fellow entertainers Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton, Tanya Tucker, Pam Tillis, and Wynonna Judd. Pat Benatar and her husband, Neil Giraldo, are also set to perform.
Patsy Cline is legendary in country music. She became a superstar very young and tragically passed away in March 1963 when she was just 30 years old. Some of Patsy’s hits include “Crazy,” “Always,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” and, of course, “Walkin’ After Midnight,” which the Ryman show is named after.
Taste of Country said, “It’s unclear what Pickler is set to perform at the live tribute to Cline.” But Kellie has always made her love for Patsy very clear. She performed “Walkin’ After Midnight” live on the American Idol stage when she was a contestant during its 5th season.
Kellie Took Time to Grieve Before Speaking Out
Kellie will turn 38 years old in June 2024. Kyle was 49 years old when he took his own life at their home in Nashville.
Kyle had bravely battled mental health challenges, a drinking problem, and a dependence on substances for years before his passing. However, a toxicology completed by the Davidson County Medical Examiner in Tennessee reported Kyle had no substances in his system before he passed away last year.
Kellie’s fans became very concerned for her well-being because she didn’t speak out publicly for months after losing Kyle. Finally, on August 17, 2023, Kellie released an emotional statement.
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Kellie’s statement read, in part, “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.’” Kellie confirmed that she had “chosen to heed” Kyle’s advice by taking some time for herself and her private grief. But she sweetly thanked people for their “countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way.”
She added, “It has truly touched my soul,” and Kellie said the concern of “family, friends, and supporters” was helping her get through “the darkest time in my life.” She said, “You are all in my prayers.”
Kellie Is No Stranger to Mental Health Concerns
Kellie has faced her own battle with depression. She admitted this in a People interview a few years after she appeared on American Idol. At that time, Kellie described how she could no longer cope with family problems and the recent breakup with a hockey player she dated named Jordin Tootoo.
She told People, “Everything in my professional life seemed great, but in my personal life, I was just crumbling.” Kellie added that she became “an emotional wreck” after her father was sent back to prison, and her absentee mother, Cynthia Malone, wanted to reconnect with Kellie.
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While Cynthia told the media that “leaving my baby” was “the hardest decision” she ever made, Kellie reportedly confirmed with media outlets that she was not reconciling with Cynthia. Kellie also tried to take prescription medications to battle her depression. However, People reported that Kellie was “forced to stop taking them due to the unfavorable side effects.”
Ultimately, Kellie did find happiness with Kyle for many years. People also reported that superstar Taylor Swift and fellow country superstar Carrie Underwood “motivated” Kellie to return to music. She then released her sophomore album “Kellie Pickler,” which became one of her several country hit albums.
