Already with comparisons to Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini has hit the country music scene bigger than ever. Nashville’s sweetheart is more than ready to take on that title, one selfie at a time. The 21-year-old, who grew up heavily involved in her church choir and her school’s version of Glee Club, has been songwriting since she was 12 growing up in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. The relaxed Ballerini took time to talk to New England Country Music before her concert at The Sinclair in Harvard Square last month, which also featured Easton Corbin, Maddie and Tae and Stoughton’s own Lori McKenna. The very same morning, Kelsea sang at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville before she headed to Boston. You would never know that the bubbly blonde was running on minimal sleep, as she rocked the stage, starting off with her song, ‘Dibs,’ a song that had everyone on their feet dancing, staking claim to the one they love.
Because there are plenty of women in country music to model herself after, Kelsea couldn’t pick just one. “I look up to Kelly Clarkson. I love Carrie and I’m a big fan of Kacey Musgraves,” answered Ballerini. “But I think you have to make sure you’re different enough.” With so much to look forward to in the future, the star recalls a couple of her favorite moments in her young career. “Hearing my song on the radio for the first time, definitely,” Kelsea smiled. “It was a couple of months ago in Nashville and I just freaked out. Another time, I was on the ACC red carpet interviewing for Radio Disney. Hillary from Lady A, who is one of my dear friends, got to tell me that I will be debuting on the Grand Ole Opry. Everything came together at that moment.” On Valentine’s Day, Kelsea got her shot as she took the grand stage, singing her favorite song from her EP, ‘The First Time.’ It doesn’t look like things will be slowing down for Ballerini any time soon, as her first album, also named, ‘The First Time,’ is set to drop May 19th.
Back in Harvard Square, when asked about who she would love to open up for, her response was immediate. “Sam Hunt,” said Kelsea, smiling ear to ear. “I dig what he does so much and I think it’d be a cool shared crowd.” On February 23rd, another wish came true as Ballerini took time to play with Hunt, Jana Kramer, The Swon Brothers, Austin Webb and Old Dominion at the Listening Room Café in Nashville, benefitting The Children’s Heart Foundation. Even though the young adult doesn’t get too much time to sit still or be a normal 21-year-old, it doesn’t faze her. “I enjoy the people I’m out on the road with. When I’m in Nashville I get to see my friends and hangout.” Traveling with her band doesn’t get old for the country super star, who has no pre-show superstitions yet. As for a routine before they all take the stage, that’s still in the works.
Another milestone in her young career was being named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country. “I remember last year when they first started it,” Kelsea recalled. “I remember being like, ‘oh my gosh I want to be a part of that.’ It was so surreal. All those girls are freakishly talented and it’s cool just to be friends with them.” Joining the likes of Ashley Monroe, Jana Kramer, RaeLynn, Maddie and Tae, Kelleigh Bannen and Cassadee Pope, among many others, Ballerini will be one to watch for years to come.
In the meantime, Kelsea continues to reach out to her fans via social media and is a frequent responder to those on Twitter. As someone who knows to pay it forward to her fans, the humble singer says the best part about interacting with her followers is “hearing how they react to songs.” Evidently, the response has been overwhelming and abundant, because her hit single, ‘Love Me Like You Mean It,’ has been a fixture on the radio across the country and Kelsea is continuing to live out her dream and we are along for the ride.
Be sure to follow Kelsea on Twitter, Facebook, and her official website.