Kelly Clarkson was here

It was a cold morning Feb. 23 when a car pulled to the curb in front of the Washington County Local History and Genealogy Library and out stepped pop singer and first "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, along with a camera crew from The Learning Channel's "Who Do You Think You Are?" program.

The show, in its fourth season, follows celebrities as they trace their ancestry and visit related sites.

Clarkson was in town to learn about her great-great-great grandfather, Isaiah Rose, a Civil War veteran and former Ohio Senator who lived in the Coal Run area and is buried in Round Bottom Cemetery. 

Singer Kelly Clarkson is shown at the gravesite of her great-great-great grandfather, Isaiah R. Rose, at the Round Bottom Cemetery in Coal Run during a February filming of The Learning Channel’s “Who Do You Think You Are?”

"We knew they were coming and had closed the genealogy library for the day. They were here from around 9 or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was a pretty long day," said assistant librarian Eric Richendollar.

He said Clarkson and the crew were very professional, but also easy to work with.

"They brought two or three cameras and took shots from several different angles inside the library," Richendollar said.

He wasn't sure if any of the local library staff would be shown in the episode, noting that TLC had brought their own genealogy expert to help Clarkson review the historical documents about her ancestor.

"She was professional and nice, and seemed like a very down-to-earth person," Richendollar said of Clarkson. "It was a great experience for us."

Grammy-winner Clarkson, 31, shot to fame after winning "American Idol" in 2002 and has since sold more than 20 million albums, with hits including "Miss Independent," "Since U Been Gone," "Walk Away," "Mr. Know It All," My Life Would Suck Without You, "Already Gone" and "Stronger."

Clarkson's great-great-great grandfather Isaiah R. Rose was born in Belmont County in 1842, but when he was a small boy the family moved to Coal Run, according to a history of Isaiah Rose by Betty K. Rose of Devola. The article was published in a 2010 edition of the Lower Muskingum Historical Society's "Reflections Along the Muskingum" periodical.

Rose, 86, wrote that Isaiah enlisted with the Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War and served with General William Tecumseh Sherman's army during the infamous "March to the Sea."

Isaiah's younger brother, Thompson Rose, who also served with the OVI, was fatally wounded at one point, and while attempting to help his brother Isaiah was captured by the Confederate Army and was confined to the Andersonville Prison in Georgia for seven months.

After serving through the war, Isaiah returned to the Coal Run area and eventually became a senator in the Ohio General Assembly in 1906. He died on Nov. 26, 1916 in Coal Run.

"I always admired Isaiah because after returning from the war he realized he needed an education and attended public school with his son," Betty Rose said.

She hopes to see the "Who Do You Think You Are?" episode.

"I've never seen the program, but I'm hoping to have it recorded so that I can watch this episode," she said.

Local genealogy historian Ernie Thode, who also works at the library, was not there the day of the filming, but said the library had been contacted by TLC back in November about the planned visit.

"They were in contact with me and (library director) Justin Mayo in November and December," he said, adding that the staff also did some preliminary research for the show.

Mayo said before Clarkson and the crew left the library Feb. 23 he presented the singer with a "souvenir" basket of local wine from Marietta Wine Cellars.

"I basically just had time to hand it to her and then they had to leave-they were on a tight schedule," he said. "But she really appreciated it."

Thode said he was able to watch an advance preview of the "Who Do You Think You Are?" episode recently.

"There's some 'teaser' footage of Marietta and the W.P. Snyder, and later she pulls up in front of the library before she goes inside," he said.

From the library Clarkson and the crew drove north on Ohio 60 to Coal Run where she's filmed at Isaiah Rose's final resting place in Round Bottom Cemetery.

It was dusk when they arrived at the graveyard. Local historian Phillip Crane said his wife mentioned seeing a lot of bright lights at the cemetery that evening.

During some research in the wake of Clarkson's visit, Crane discovered she has more than one connection to the area.

"I found out that Kelly's grandmother was Mary George who lived in Parkersburg, W.Va.," he said. "And Kelly's mother, Jeanne Rose, grew up in Parkersburg and graduated from Belpre High School."

Crane also found the star has connections to other relatives in the area, including the Ewing and Humiston families.

He said more information about Clarkson and her family will be included in his column, "An Eye on the Lower Muskingum," in Saturday's edition of The Marietta Times.

Thode said in addition to being entertaining, the TLC episode will give the county genealogy library some great exposure.

"The publicity is valuable, but it also shows that we do serve everybody here," he said. "Just this week we've had people from Mesa, Ariz. and South Carolina doing genealogical research."

Richendollar agreed.

"We're very fortunate that our library directors have realized the importance of this facility," he said. "People from all over the country and all over the world come here to research their family histories, even if their ancestor was just passing through."

Mayo said the TLC airing of Clarkson's visit is exciting news for the local area, but also indicates the quality of the genealogy library supported by the resources of the Washington County Library System.

"I would put our genealogy department up against any other library in the state," he said.

It's Kelly Clarkson v Clive Davis... Grammy winner lashes out at music legend for 'lies' in his new tell-all memoir as Sony chief sticks by story

Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson has hit out at music legend Clive Davis for 'spreading false information' about her in his new tell-all memoir.

The 30-year-old star wrote a damming open letter today after the record executive claimed that she broke into 'hysterical sobbing' when he demanded that her smash hit 'Since U Been Gone' be included on her album, Breakaway.

Kelly - whose stellar career was guided by Davis after she won American Idol - lashed out, saying: 'I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don't have to cower to anyone - even Clive Davis.'

Happier times: Record legend Clive Davis with his protege Kelly Clarkson in 2004. Today, she accused him of 'bullying' her.

In what is turning into a war of words between the pair the 80-year-old took to Twitter to defend his book, writing: 'I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together.'

Clive said. “Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all.'

In his book, The Soundtrack of my Life, the 80-year-old music executive - who discovered Whitney Houston - tells how he fell out with Kelly over her desire to help pen her own songs on her third album, My December.

However, Davis recalled that he didn't believe the material contained a number one hit and told the singer's manager he was 'out of his mind' to believe otherwise.

Emotional: Kelly Clarkson is overcome as she picks up the Grammy award for best pop vocal album this month

He also wrote about a meeting with Kelly in in which he told her that My December was “a pop album that still needs pop hits'.

But in a lengthy statement posted on Whosay, Kelly wrote: 'So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music.

'First, he says I burst into "hysterical sobbing" in his office when he demanded Since You Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up.'

She said they rowed after Kelly insisted that she wanted more guitars added to the original demo track - and Davis did not, saying she eventually prevailed, adding: 'I couldn't be more proud of the life of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.

'But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called "Because Of You."

'I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a "s****y writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.'

'He continued on about how the song didn't rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.

'But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn't include that in the book.'

Clive replied on Twitter: 'The chapter [Kelly's] as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them. I stand by the chapter as written in my book. At the same time I wish, and will always wish, Kelly‘s talent and her career to soar to ever new heights.

Overjoyed: Kelly picked up her third Grammy of her career at the music awards ceremony in LA on February 10

Kelly revealed that she was hurt by his accusations about her album My December and its lack of 'pop hits'- and the claims that it didn't chart to well because she co-wrote it.

She also accused Davis, currently the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, of actively trying to 'sabotage' the album.

She said 'Well, first let me say, I've co-penned many of my "pop hits." Secondly, My December went platinum (It sold 20,000 less than All I Ever Wanted which followed My December.) Hardly a huge failure.

'Never Again, the ONLY single they released in the US from that record was a Top 10 hit.

'I am very proud of that and I have my fans to thank. But, again, what's most interesting about his story is what he leaves out: He doesn't mention how he stood up in front of his company at a convention and belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged the entire project.

Engaged: Kelly Clarkson and her fiance, Brandon Blackstock, beam at the Grammys earlier this month

Charttopping hits: Kelly Clarkson in her videos for Because of You and Since U Been Gone 

'It never had a chance to reach it's full potential. My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren't words to explain….'

Kelly, who is signed to RCA records, won her third Grammy award earlier this month for Best Pop Vocal Album for her fifth studio album, Stronger.

And the star, who is engaged to music manager Brandon Blackstock, finished her message by writing: 'Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now. And I am grateful for Clive for teaching me to know the difference.

'Cheers to another amazing year.'

Kelly Clarkson wins first American Idol

On this day in 2002, Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old cocktail waitress from Texas, wins Season One of American Idol in a live television broadcast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theater. Clarkson came out on top in the amateur singing contest over 23-year-old runner-up Justin Guarini after millions of viewers cast their votes for her by phone. She was awarded a recording contract and went on to sell millions of albums and establish a successful music career. (Clarkson and Guarnini also co-starred in the 2003 box-office bomb From Justin to Kelly, which was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for that year’s worst film but lost to the Jennifer Lopez-Ben Affleck vehicle Gigli.) Starting with its first season, American Idol became one of the most popular TV programs in U.S. history and spawned a slew of talent-competition shows.

American Idol was based on a British TV show called Pop Idol, which was developed by the English-born entertainment executive Simon Fuller and debuted in the U.K. in 2001. The Idol concept was shopped around in the United States and reportedly rejected by several TV networks before Fox picked it up. The American Idol premiere, which aired on June 11, 2002, was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman (who was dropped from the program after Season One) and starred a trio of judge–the acerbic British music executive Simon Cowell, the singer-choreographer Paul Abdul and the musician-producer Randy Jackson. The show followed the judges as they selected contestants, who were required to be teens or young adults, from open auditions around the United States. Contestants who made the cut were flown to Hollywood, where they were eventually narrowed to 10 finalists, who performed live on television and were critiqued by the judges. Home viewers phoned in their votes for their favorite performers and each week the contestant who received the lowest number of votes was eliminated from the competition.

Following Clarkson’s Season One victory, subsequent American Idol winners–Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook–have had varying degrees of success in their music careers. In some cases, American Idol runner-ups, such as Clay Aiken (Season Two, second place) and Chris Daughtry (Season Five, fourth place), have sold more records than certain A.I. winners. Jennifer Hudson, who finished seventh in Season Three of the show, later won an Academy Award for her supporting performance inDreamgirls (2006), the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.

BECAUSE OF YOU by KELLY CLARKSON

Clarkson wrote this about her parents' divorce when she was 6 years old. The song might be aimed at her mom. When the divorce happened, her mom was always busy and little Kelly had to make sandwiches for herself to eat. (thanks, Steph - Hickville, MO)
In the song, Clarkson sings about trying not to make the same mistakes her parents did, and how because of the divorce, she is scared to fall in love, in fear of going through the same pain her parents did.

On her Breakaway DVD, Clarkson explains that she started writing this long before she won American Idol. Kelly was 16 when she was with friends one night and they were talking about the influence that older people/peers have on you and started writing it. She sent a demo tape of the song to producers David Hodges and Ben Moody (formerly of Evanescence), who liked the song and worked on it with her. (thanks, Carolina - Kindersley, Canada)

Clarkson told Entertainment Weekly why she'd like to be remembered for this song in a 2011 interview: "I think because I worked so damn hard to get it on an album and just everyone was against it. There was some blood, sweat and tears going on there. I think I'm most proud of that song—just getting it on an album because no one liked it until it hit # 1 worldwide and everybody was on board."

Clarkson told the UK newspaper The Guardian: "You may as well grab a knife. That song really is the most depressing one I've ever written. I tried to get it on Thankful, and was laughed at and told I wasn't a good writer. So then I tried to get it onBreakaway – and the label saw the results, people responding to it, and allowed it to become a single. Then took credit for its success, of course."
Clarkson revealed that she burst into tears after playing this song for the first time to Sony record executive Clive Davis. "I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a 'sh--ty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me,'" she said. "He continued on about how the song didn't rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with."

Kelly Clarkson Biography

Overview
Date of Birth 24 April 1982, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Birth Name Kelly Brianne Clarkson
Nickname Kellbelle
Height 5' 3½" (1,61 m)

Mini Bio 
Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Jeanne Ann (Rose), a teacher of English, and Stephen Michael Clarkson, an engineer. She was the first winner of the series American Idol, in 2002. Kelly married Brandon Blackstock in 2013, and the two have a daughter. Kelly is also a strong believer in God.

Trivia 
Originally wanted to be a marine biologist but changed her mind when she saw the movie Ham Ca Map (1975).

Graduated from Burleson High School, Burleson, Texas in 2000.

She won the first "American Idol" contest, September 4, 2002. Her first single came out in late September of that year.

Was a cocktail waitress at a comedy club in Arlington, Texas and at Hyena's Comedy Club in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

Daughter of Jeanne Clarkson and Joseph Clarkson.

Her first single sold nearly 250,000 copies in its first week.

Her first single, "A Moment Like This", set records by jumping from number 52 to the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Beat out more than 10,000 people to land a $1 million recording contract on American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002).

Brother: Jason (b. 1973), sister: Alyssa (b. 1976).

Kelly stayed up all night before her American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002) audition so she wouldn't sleep through the alarm, which she frequently did in high school.

Used to work at a bookstore and at a zoo.

Used to work at Hollywood Theatres in Burleson, Texas.

Sang the National Anthem at The Day of Service in Washington D.C., on September 11, 2002.

Christina Aguilera co-wrote her hit, "Miss Independent".

Came in second place in World Idol (2003).

Avril Lavigne co-wrote her new single 'Breakaway' which is on the soundtrack for The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).

Debut album, "Thankful" went double platinum.

One of her maternal great-grandfathers, Harry George, was a Greek immigrant. Her other ancestry includes English, Irish, German, and Scottish.

Sophmore album, "Breakaway", debuted at number three.

Is the first artist in the Billboard Radio Monitor era to hold the No. 1 spot at Mainstream Top 40 and AC during the same week with two different songs (Breakaway and Since U Been Gone).

Ranked #92 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World (2005).

Became the first artist to have two songs in the top three of Billboard's Pop 100 Airplay chart (Since U Been Gone, Behind These Hazel Eyes)

Underwent LASIK eye surgery to correct her vision

As of July 2005, she is the top-selling American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002) contestant, having sold approximately five million albums in the U.S. and having had five Top 10 singles.

First artist to have two songs in the top 3 of the Billboard Pop Airplay 100 simultaneously, with "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes".

Her first album, Thankful, has sold more than 2.5 million copies in America. Her sophomore album, Breakaway, has sold more than 6.2 million copies in the US, with almost 25 million in sales worldwide.

Held a record on TRL for a song to be number one on the countdown.

Her music video for "Because of You" debuted at #1 on TRL. The only other artists to achieve this goal are Britney Spears, Eminem and *NSYNC.

Won the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ('Since U Been Gone') and Best Pop Vocal Album ('Breakaway') at the Grammy Awards on February 8th 2006. Kelly also performed "Because of You" at the ceremony and received a standing ovation.

Ranked as #92 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement (2005).

Fave Artists: Reba McEntire, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, No Doubt, etc.

Fave Song: Des'ree "Kissing You.

Accepted 2 Grammy Awards the award for Pop Female Vocal for "Since U Been Gone" and now, her album has been awarded Best Pop Album!

Parents, Jeanne Clarkson and Joseph Clarkson, divorced when she was six.

Named #50 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).

Fired her manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, in summer 2007.

Said in a Reader's Digest interview that as a toddler, she would often walk around naked and that, to this day, hates wearing clothes. Calls wardrobe fittings "the death of me".

Had jobs as a teenager and determined that once she started making money as a musician, she never wanted to have to take a job for the money. Working with her business manager, she said she has financially set herself up for life.

Performed "Ave Maria" for Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, 2008. This took place at St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, New York.

Video for "My Life Would Suck Without You" placed number #6 on VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2009.

Video for "I Do Not Hook Up" placed number #25 on VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2009.

Is the only American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002) winner to hold the title less than a year. This is because season one aired in June and the show began again the next spring.

Peformed "Everybody's Got Their Something" at the 2010 'America Celebrates the Fourth of July' at the Ford Theatre in Washington D.C.

Has twice broken the Billboard Hot 100 record for a song's biggest leap to #1. First with "A Moment Like This" in 2002 (52-1) & in 2009 with "My Life Would Suck Without You" (97-1).

Engaged to Blake Shelton's manager, Brandon Blackstock, son of her manager, Narvel Blackstock, and stepson of Reba McEntire [December 14, 2012].

Video for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" placed #4 on VH1's Top 20 Videos of 2012.

Was offered scholarships to three universities but decided to pursue a music career.

Her soul-mate is her puppy Joplin, a black poodle mix she adopted in 2011.

Daughter-in-law of Narvel Blackstock.

Stepdaughter-in-law of Reba McEntire.

(October 20, 2013) Married her boyfriend of 20 months Brandon Blackstock following a 10-month-long engagement.

Sister-in-law of Shelby Blackstock.

Has 2 step-children - step-daughter Savannah Blackstock & step-son Seth Blackstock.

Gave birth to her 1st child at age 32, a daughter named River Rose Blackstock on June 12, 2014. Child's father is her husband, Brandon Blackstock.

Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her daughter River to begin recording her 5th studio album.

(August 19, 2015) Expecting her 2nd child with her husband Brandon Blackstock.

Announced during an August 19th 2015 Concert that she and husband Brandon Blackstock are expecting their second child in early 2016.

(October 23, 2015) Having a baby boy with her husband Brandon Blackstock.

Personal Quotes
On boys: "You need to establish yourself before you let someone else in
I'm still finding myself".

I'm petite but I was the biggest girl on my season. Everyone else weighed 100 pounds. Reporters would ask, 'So what's it like being a big girl?' and I thought, 'Big? What?' It was like, 'Wait, what am I doing wrong?' Luckily, I had a great mom and dad who helped me grow up feeling comfortable in my own skin. I have a curvy figure, which guys like. And performing isn't about looking the best or being the most beautiful. I do it because I love it. Look, nobody else has my butt. Nobody has my eyes. Nobody has my nose. It's all mine. And that's what makes me different from everyone.

I'm only 27, not 40 and still single! I enjoy being single, I love work and I think people are so passive with relationships and I'm not that person.

I'm an extremist, I'm either in a relationship or I'm not. I'm honest about it and I'll tell people, it's just there's nothing to tell. I have a very good life."

I love my body. I'm very much OK with it. I don't think artists are ever the ones who have the problem with their weight, it is other people.

The rumors are not helping me on the dating front! I prefer the boys. I'm extremely flattered when I do get hit on by girls, and I think it's hot, but I'm not into it. I like boys.

[on taking criticism from the judges] I come from a very sarcastic and loving family at the same time, but I'm very thick-skinned. So, it's really not going to affect me to an extent. I really feel for the people that it does.

On fiancé Brandon Blackstock: "I've never been truly loved like I am right now".

[on her album 'Wrapped in Red'] A Christmas album is fun because you don't get labeled anything. So there's rock'n'roll on there, there's R&B. there's country, there's pop stuff. I have a hard time being cheesy, but you can be cheesy with Christmas music, so I felt I could be vulnerable.

Everyone gives you their two cents, but you have to follow your gut.

[on talent shows] Theyll last as long as people keep watching them. People don't realize that Frank Sinatra got into the business through a competition. I don't think it matters how you got there. It matters if you're good enough to hang around.