Fashionable, sweet, fun, loving and kind are only a few words that describe country music’s up and coming radio star Kelsea Ballerini.
The 21-year-old Knoxville, Tenn., native saw a whirlwind of success in the past year, touring with big country headliners like Lady Antebellum and Jana Kramer, and she’s holding tight to her good morals and kind demeanor as she climbs to the top.
“To be able to be a part of the wave of women on country radio, it’s amazing,” Ballerini said of her new success. “I’ve gone to CMA festivals for years growing up, waiting in line with people I’m friends with now.”
In May, she released her debut album, The First Time, reflecting raw emotions about love, family and friends. Her hit singles called “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Dibs” are on the album, and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
She absolutely loves to write songs, and she’s constantly working on her next big hit.
As she steadies herself for a big opening tour in 2016, she’s reminded by her mother to remain humble and kind.
“She’ll text me and she’ll say, remember who you are and remember why you’re doing this,” Ballerini said.
Her music videos and warm spirit have a way of tying fans to Ballerini and — perhaps more than anything — she has the right energy for the industry, said her manager Fletcher Foster, president and CEO of Nashville-based Iconic Entertainment.
“The first time I saw her on stage, and not only the way she was interacting with fans but the way she presented herself, it was immediate,” Foster said about his willingness to manage her career. “I thought, ‘This is undeniable in my mind.’”
He felt compelled to take her to the marketplace, and it was well worth the risk, he said. “I just believed in it from the very start,” he said.
Now, he’s working on finalizing her 2016 opening tour, which will be announced in November, and he continues to solidify good working relationships within the industry.
Ballerini is enjoying the ride, and she’s beaming with excitement about what’s next for her career.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I want to do this for a living. I wanted to be a vet,” Ballerini joked. But she started writing songs when she was 12 years old, and it turned out the road led her to the entertainment industry, not the veterinary business.
Yet she still loves her furry friends and her three-month-old Labradoodle named Dibs acts as her road companion when she’s on tour.
As she’s continued to branch out in the music industry, headlining artists have begun to embrace her, not only in person, but also on social media. In March, Taylor Swift tweeted, “Driving around with the @KelseaBallerini EP on repeat.”
Ballerini’s goal is to become a big headlining act, opening at large arenas to a sea of fans.
“My dream has always been, to do the big bells and whistles arena tours. I want to headline those one day, that’s my goal,” she said. “It’s cool to support these big acts and watch them in the arena, because that’s what I want.”
Interviewed for this story: Kelsea Ballerini and Fletcher Foster, (615) 454-6795
FOR MORE INFO
www.kelseaballerini.com
Booking: Iconic Entertainment
2 Music Circle South, Ste 100, Nashville, TN 37203
615.454.6795 | FletcherF@iconicentertainment.com