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Is it possible to be subdued and energetic at the same time? If not, then I’m not sure how to describe Kellie Picker’s performance on Friday night in front of a full house at the Uline Warehouse.

Really, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Kellie Pickler heading into Friday night’s concert. Sure, most people know of Kellie Pickler – whether as an "American Idol" contestant, as a competitor on "Dancing with the Stars," as a frequent (and hilarious) guest on "Ellen" or as a country singer played on the radio.

I didn’t know, though, how all that would play out in Pickler’s live performance. I hoped that she’d be more the sassy, almost hyperactive, down-home girl that’s dripping with country charm like she is with Ellen Degeneres.

And she was … sort of.

She was a down to earth, Southern charmer, with brilliantly rambling storytelling skills and a voice that melts your heart. But in her crowd interaction, she seemed subdued, more than what you’d expect. She was … mellow, but thoughtful and gentle.

Might have been due to the fact that she (or someone) delayed her concert start for more than a half hour because of Milwaukee’s fireworks? I don’t know (her crew and band was all on stage taking photos of the display). I’m just not sure. Whatever it was seemed to have an effect on the crowd – in a "hey we’re into it, but it doesn’t feel like you are" kind of way.

But, to be clear, her singing – her actual performance – lacked for nothing. It was energetic and filled with everything Kellie Pickler is: country, pure and simple.

Her 17-song set – plus one encore – contained most of Pickler’s mainstays, like "Best Days of Your Life," "Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful," "No Cure for Crazy" and "Red High Heels" (her encore song). She also pulled out some outstanding covers including "Jackson" (Johnny Cash and June Carter) and "Stand by Your Man" (Tammy Wynette). Best of all, she played her new single "Feelin’ Tonight," a hand clapping, foot stopping song which the crowd definitely got into.

Pickler told a lot of stories about growing up. She was raised by her grandparents after an abusive mom deserted her and a struggling, addict father was jailed. Sounds like a country song, right? Pickler thought so too and has often said her life was a country song. Kellie captured this made-for-a-country-song upbringing in "I Wonder," a song written about her mother. She nailed it tonight. The crowd swayed and sang along. It was powerful.

It’s clear, though, that Pickler has been surrounded by love despite a missing mama and daddy. The stories Pickler told during her concert about her childhood, her grandparents and her great grandmother, Selma, prove that. If anything, it’s that love that came out in her music tonight.

It’s fitting, too, that Pickler gives back where she can. She knows what it’s like to not have a lot. Her new line, Selma Drye, is selling t-shirts to benefit the USO and Wounded Warriors. She encouraged her audience to help if they could.

Pickler’s never been a top-of-the-charts country artist. It’s tough to pinpoint why. Really, it doesn’t matter. What she lacks in chart-busting hits, she more than makes up for with strong, soulful lyrics and feel it in your toes vocals.

She just has the pipes—real and deep—to make her unforgettable.

And Friday night, even though she was subdued, Pickler was just that…unforgettable.

SET LIST

Where’s Tammy Wynette
Things that Never Cross a Man’s Mind
Tough
Makin’ Me Fall in Love Again
Ring for Sale
Stop Cheatin’ on Me
Little House on the Highway
I Wonder
Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful
No Cure for Crazy
Selma Drye
Jackson (Johnny Cash and June Carter cover)
Stand by Your Man (Tammy Wynette cover)
Unlock that Honky Tonk
Feelin’ Tonight
Best Days of Your Life

ENCORE

Red High Heels