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Blender magazine is known for its proclivities toward rock, pop and hip-hop music, so it came as little surprise that in its “Best 25 Albums of 2007” list, just two of those albums were of the country music variety.

One was Brad Paisley's 5th Gear, which checked in at No. 20. And the other was Miranda Lambert's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which bested pop superstars such as Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Jay-Z in securing the No. 9 position.

Lambert, the 24-year-old Texas native known her fiery songs about guns, cigarettes, alcohol and ex-lovers, will headline the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 1. Before rolling into the Alamo City, Lambert chatted with 210SA about gaining acceptance in the pop realm, her history on “Nashville Star” and why she's not to keen on sharing the stage with Kelly Clarkson.

What did it feel like as a country artist to be honored in a non-country magazine like Blender?
It was a huge honor. This record has really gotten a lot of critical acclaim, and it feels good not only that the critics like it, but that the fans like it, too.

To what do you attribute that pop acceptance?
I don't know, but I'm definitely not questioning it. When I first started this thing, when I was making Kerosene, I wanted to sound different and have a different style. I wanted it to be something good, something that could be mainstream country but have a little bit of edge to it. I've been able to do that with my first two records.

Considering some of the singles you've released, do some people expect you to be a bit more hot-tempered than you really are?
I think so. Some people have actually come up to me and said, “I thought you would be tough and mean.” But I'm just another Southern small-town girl . . . It's surprising, but I guess I can't blame them.

How much extra pride do you take in that most of the accolades were bestowed upon songs you wrote?
I take a lot of pride in writing, especially now because I'm not taking it for granted like I used to. It's so much more trouble now to write. I used to write a song a day, but I've been busier and busier over the last few years.

Where do you do your best writing?
At home in my downtime, I force myself to sit down. On the road, I just don't write that well because it's more of a job when you're out on the road. It's not a hobby like it used to be.

Do you ever worry that you'll run out of things to write about?
I try not to worry about it, but I do. Obviously, I have more pressure on me now because I've had two successful albums and I wrote a lot of those songs, so now I'm like, “Crap, what do I write about now?”

What is the best song you've ever written?
Probably “Love Is Looking For You” (from Kerosene). Lyrically, that was a song I was really feeling when I wrote it, so it came out easily. With the way the melody is and the lyrics, it's one of my best-written songs.

Having had two hit albums, do people bring up your time on “Nashville Star” that much anymore?
No, they don't. I really will always be thankful for “Nashville Star” because it's the reason I'm talking to you. I use the example of Kelly Clarkson because she's the “American Idol,” but that also doesn't have to be her label for the rest of her career. She kind of made her own way, and she's really a legitimate artist and a great singer-songwriter. At first, people are apprehensive of people that win a contest or go on reality TV shows, like, “Let's see how it goes.” But once you have that second record and third record, people start really getting to know what you're about.

Kelly Clarkson recently wrote her own album, then clashed with the record company over it when the record didn't sell. What did you think about someone like that who takes a chance but doesn't have it pay off?
I think it's awesome that she took a chance, and she's at the point in her career where she can do that. I respect her for it, and she'll come back around. She needed to do that stuff artistically, or else she would have wondered about it for the rest of her life.

If given the opportunity to share the stage with another young female musician – regardless of genre – who would it be?
Obviously, I wouldn't dare go out with Kelly Clarkson because she's the ultimate singer. This sounds strange, and this is the first time I've said this, but I heard that Carrie Underwood would like to go out with me and Kellie Pickler. The thing about it is I was terrified that it would be terrible because we're all so different, but maybe it would be kind of cool. We all have something to offer.

CLINT HALE | 210SA