Miranda Lambert [ tickets ], the daughter of guitarist/songwriter Rick Lambert, made her country music bow in 2003 as a third-place finisher on "American Idol's" twangy cousin, "Nashville Star." Thanks to her appearance on the television show, Lambert, then 21, landed a contract with Sony and released her first major-label single, "Me and Charlie Talking," in 2004. Since then, she has released two albums: "Kerosene" and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend."

"Kerosene" debuted at No. 1 on the country chart, marking only the sixth time a new artist has entered the top spot. Her other accolades include the Academy of Country Music's Album of the Year Award for "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" in 2008, the ACM's Top New Female Vocalist Award in 2007, the ACM's Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award in 2005, and the 17th annual Music Row Award - Critics Pick Award.

Now, the Grammy nominee has a third album on the way in September and has landed one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men Alive, fellow country singer Blake Shelton.

Lambert chatted with LiveDaily about being on Kenny Chesney's tour, her forthcoming album and her favorite charitable causes.

What are you enjoying the most about the Kenny Chesney tour?

It's a blast. It's an honor to play on this tour and a really fun way to spend a summer. It's also a learning experience because I get to see Kenny perform each night. He has the ability to captivate the crowd his entire set. I'm really good friends with Lady A[ntebellum], too, and I try to catch as much of their set as I can.

How do you and Blake manage to balance your careers with your relationship when each of you is gone so long?

I think the fact that we are so busy is actually quite helpful. He's out with George Strait's tour this summer, and with me out on the Kenny tour, we really make the most out of our days off when we get them. He's really supportive of all I do and we have a great mutual respect for each other--so, yeah, so far, so good.

Which single means the most to you and why?

Ah, that is a tough question. I write almost all of my songs, so for me they are all personal and mean a lot to me. But a few that stick out are my last single, "More Like Her," because it was the first time I really let that vulnerable side show. And I love the new single, "Dead Flowers," because when I wrote it I had such a strong image in my head and the words just came pouring out. I get emotional when I sing it because I think anyone that has been in a failed relationship can agree--those times are brutal. I also love singing "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" because it's a fun and sassy, upbeat song and the crowd really gets into it.

I understand you're recording a new album, slated for release in the fall. What can you tell me about the new album? Does Blake appear on it?

Well, I don't want to give away too much, but I can tell you it's going to be out in September and I wrote or co-wrote a lot of the material as well as recorded some other writer's gems, so go look for it then. As for Blake, you may just have to wait and see. 

What are the names of some of the songs? Name of the album?

No official title yet--I'm still deciding. Well, the first single, "Dead Flowers," is on it. And there's another song that I've recently added to my live set called "Maintain the Pain"; other than that, my lips are sealed.

Tell me about your songwriting process. Do you write mostly on the road, at home, in the studio?

I do write some on the road on my bus, but it's usually very busy being out on tour and doesn't leave a lot of time for writing due to radio visits, interviews, soundchecks and concerts. But I love writing when I'm home on the farm. I tend to be most inspired there and I love the relaxing and peaceful nature of being there--it really is like a sanctuary to me. That said, song ideas pop in my head all the time. Since I write about life experiences a lot of the time it can be something I see or do, or something that happens to people around me. For example, dead flowers left in a vase; that inspired the new single, so I had to sit down and get it on paper.

How was it to perform "Picture" with Kid Rock at Stagecoach?

In a word: amazing. We hadn't ever sung together before that night at Stagecoach and I'm a fan so it was really cool. I love that song "Picture" so it was pretty surreal to be up there with him. And of course everyone's talking about how I told him not to mess with me ... he kept altering the lyrics. Pretty funny, unless you have to sing the song with him.

Tell me about your charity, Pawsabilities.

Well, Pawsabilities is kind of the umbrella name to a bunch of animal-related charity activities that I'm involved with. I am a huge animal lover and many people know that this all sort of started when I adopted Delilah (my wired haired terrier mix) from the Humane Society of East Texas. I felt like I was at a place in my life where I could really help out that shelter so I decided to host Cause for the Paws--and just a few weeks back we were able to host the event for a second time.

I also am involved with a shelter in Tishomingo where I have a farm and that is called TAILS (Texoma Animal Improved Living Society). Then there is Ran's Animal Care Express (RACE), which was set up to help get animals placed into loving homes all across the country. My family is so amazing in helping me with all facets of the charities and the fans are so supportive. I love being able to help make a difference and my favorite way to close out a live show is "Don't forget, love a shelter pet!"