BWW Exclusive: Kristin Chenoweth Talks Dating 'The Bachelor', GCB, Next Album & Hosting ACAs

Chenoweth spoke about some of her country music idols who influenced her most recent album, 'Some Lessons Learned'. "With this last album I really wanted to pay homage to how I grew up singing.  That was a huge influence on me because in Oklahoma there are 4,500 country music stations and maybe one pop rock. So think about who my influences were.  They were Dolly and Reba and Tricia and Shania and Patsy.  Those were the people that I listened to.  Of course I loved the Broadway cast albums because we didn’t have tons of Broadway coming through Broken Arrow, but that was largely my musical influence."

So who's on Chenoweth's iPod? The country music fan revealed, "I have to say I love The Band Perry.  I’m still listening to their hit from last year.  It’s on repeat.  And I really am happy for Little Big Town.  I think that they are—let me just say this, it’s very hard to walk in this world and get to know people.  Little Big Town made me; when I met them, feel so welcome and loved and accepted.  For them to be as talented as they are nice, I’m going to root for them." 

I also like Thompson Square," she continued.  "And I’m always going to be partial to Carrie.  I just can’t help it.  But I still like my old timers like Dwight Yoakam and I don’t think you’d call Faith Hill an old timer, please God no, because we’re about the same age.  But there are just some singers I’m never going to not listen to, Shelly Wright being one of them.  She hasn’t released an album in two years, but I keep telling her she’s got to do it.  But that’s whom I’m listening to right now.  I just love Little Big Town.  I’m really happy for them."

Fans of country music will be happy to hear that her next musical endeavor will pick up where her last album left off.  "I just didn’t feel like I got done with that first album. I thought it was a really good start. I didn’t get to do a lot of the songs on that album that I wanted to do because at some point you have to make a decision about how many songs are going to be on there. So yes, there’s going to be a part two there for sure.

Finally, Chenoweth shared the secret to being a successful host for the upcoming ACA Awards, "The key for a good host is to be a good listener.  Because as you know, things happen that aren’t supposed to happen when you’re doing a live show, and for someone like me, you pray for it because it just makes it more fun.  So my challenge will be to be a great listener and to make sure and give Trace Adkins a really hard time...I can’t give too much away, but it’s going to be fun!" 

About the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS (ACA)

Rascal Flatts, Kip Moore and Jake Owen are set to perform at the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS (ACA) airing live from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Owen, Moore and Rascal Flatts will join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and Little Big Town.

The star-studded special also will feature appearances by Miranda Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield, Ron White and champion cowboy Trevor Brazile. Previously announced participants include Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Casey James, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch and Chris Young. Additional performers and presenters to be announced soon.

The two-hour live music spectacular offers country music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories, but also in a previously unrecognized area – touring – encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.

Voting for Artist of the Year continues until Friday, Dec. 7 at www.theacas.com.

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Caryn Robbins is a features editor for BroadwayWorld, covering TV, flm and the best of Broadway theater.