Pickler signs with Black River

"In looking for a label partner, I was really drawn to the Black River family because they hold similar values that I do," said Pickler. "From our initial meeting, it was clear to me how much the entire team respects the artists' musical vision, and I'm really looking forward to getting back into the studio to record and release new music to country radio."

"What's not to love about Kellie?" asks Gordon Kerr, CEO of Black River Entertainment. "She's real, she adores her fans, she's rooted in and committed to country music and she's genuine. How can you ask for more than that?"

Hailing from Albemarle, N.C., Pickler signed with 19/BNA Records in 2006 and released her debut album, "Small Town Girl." The album sold more than 800,000 copies worldwide and produced three singles, Red High Heels, I Wonder and Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind.

In 2008, Pickler released her self-titled sophomore record featuring country radio hits Don't You Know You're Beautiful, Best Days of Your Life (Pickler's first Top 10 and Taylor Swift co-write) and Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You.

Pickler co-wrote 6 of the 11 tracks on this year's more traditional sounding "100 Proof," but the album failed to yield any hits. Tough reached 30 on the charts and a follow-up single, the title track, peaked at 50.

Pickler joins Black River alongside four Craig Morgan, Sarah Darling, Due West and Glen Templeton.