Kelly Clarkson Is Leaving Texas For Tennessee

Kelly Clarkson (YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/GettyImages)

Pop singer and 2002American IdolwinnerKelly Clarksonhas been flirting with the country side of the fence quite a bit over the years, even so far as recording with the likes of Reba McEntire and, last year, Jason Aldean (her duet with Jason, Dont You Wanna Stay, went on to win two ACM awards).

Now shes making another move in the country music directionliterally, this time. Shes put her Mansfield, Texas home on the market and is making Nashville her new, fulltime home.

Its like Texas, but I can get work done, as well, she told theNashville Tennesseanin a recent interview. Everybodys kind of the same speed as Texans, and everybodys really nice and welcoming.

According to the real estate siteZillow, Clarksons Texas house is hitting the market for a cool $1.495 million. Its a four-bedroom, six-bath, 6,880-square-foot beauty that includes dual master suites, a theater room, and a gym. Kellys entire property encompasses over 50 acres, but the listing includes just 14.

One of the reasons that Kelly is choosing to spend more time in Nashville has to do with romance. As she confessed to the Tennessean, shes currently dating someone Im pretty in love with. That someone? Brandon Blackstock, whos the stepson of Reba, as well as the son of Kellys manager, Narvel Blackstock.

In general, tho! ugh, she admits that shes finding more and more affinity with the country music community as a whole.

I do love pop music, she told the Tennessean, but I think I have more of a Southern mentality. Even just emotionally, Im more that girl. So I get along better with the Mirandas and the Blakes and the Jennifers and Rebas.

She also admitted that, in the future, she might aim some of her material a little more clearly toward the country audience.

I think were going to try and do a couple (of songs) just for country music, and still keep doing stuff for pop, as well, she said. I never want to compromise my career just to get more fans. I think thats cheesy, and I think its transparent, as well. As long as its a natural thing, and its something that I love, Im totally cool with doing it.

- Kurt Wolff, CBS Local