Idol Chatter & Voice Views

But she was also the show’s first runner-up who didn’t get to record a major label debut album as a prize.

In hindsight, perhaps that’s best.

Because Kree, now 26 spent the past three years working toward the very impressive debut album “This Old Thing” that she released earlier this month.

Kree had already released two fine singles from the album — the title track and “Dead Man’s House” — to wet fans’ appetite.

But those are far from the only keepers on her Plaid Flag Records release. Other standout tracks include “The Time I’ve Wasted,” “Outta My Mind,” “Something in the Middle” and the fabulous “Whiskey for Two.”

Kree told SoundsLikeNashville.com the album is a mix of originals she wrote and contributions from other writers in Nashville.

“I wanted to write and be a big part of the record because I felt like I had something to say,” she told the site.

“But I think it would be ignorant for me to say, ‘I’m going to write my whole record,’ because I live in Music City where we have some of the best songwriters. So I fell in love with songs I didn’t write. I’m happy they’re on my record.”

One of the songs she definitely had a hand in writing is a lovely ballad called “Wanted It that Way.” It’s a song about her mother, who died in 2009, four years before Kree would appear on Idol.

Fans are praising the album on Kree’s Facebook page too. Check out some of the comments:

Jef Fazekas: “Lovin’ the album! SO glad you went with more of a R&B-meets-country vibe, vs. the pop groove that has invaded country in the last decade or so! Like I’ve been saying for three years now….you’re one to watch out for!”

Lorraine Sullivan Kaack: “Just drove two hours. Listened to your album. Smooth as velvet. Kentucky bourbon smooth. This time Nashville may want to roll out the red carpet for you when you grace their stage.”

Mike Davis: “The album is a keeper from top to bottom! You deliver all the emotion in your tone. I so love the “fiddle” in your voice. Long awaited, yet satisfied!”

You can also follow Kree on her website. On Twitter, she’s simply @kreeharrison.