Kelsea Ballerini: Everything you need to know about the 'Miss Me More' singer
We LOVE Kelsea here at Absolute Radio Country!
Since Kelsea Ballerini released her debut album 'The First Time' in 2015, her career has gone from strength to strength. From becoming the youngest member of The Grand Ole Opry in 2019, to releasing four chart-topping albums, it's clear there's no stopping the country superstar - so what better time to get to know her a little better?
Join us as we take a look at everything there is to know about the 'Miss Me More' singer, from her biggest tracks, to when we can expect new music and any news on an upcoming tour. With so many achievements on her incredible journey to success, here's everything to know about Kelsea Ballerini.
Where is Kelsea Ballerini from?
Kelsea was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. She later moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
How old is she?
The singer was born on 12th September 1993, making her 31-years-old at the time of writing.
How did Kelsea get into music?
Kelsea began performing through singing in church and school choirs and was only 12-years-old when she wrote her first song!
It was then in 2015 she released her debut album, 'The First Time', which spawned singles such as 'Love Me Like You Mean It', 'Peter Pan', 'Dibs' and 'Yeah Boy'.
Her second album, 'Unapologetically', was then released in 2017, followed by her third 'Kelsea' in 2020 and her fourth 'Subject to Change' in 2022. As of 2024, Kelsea is working on new music for us all.
Is she releasing new music soon?
Thankfully, it looks like she is! With her latest studio album being released back in 2022, fans are anticipating the arrival of her fifth album.
Teasing that she is working on new music, Kelsea took to Instagram in the New Year of 2024, writing: 'INS: making a record
'OUTS: posting about it
'au revoir for now 🤍'. (sic)
Along with her sweet anniversary post to boyfriend Chase Stokes, in which she wrote: 'thanks for making me write love songs', we're confident we can expect some incredible new music from the singer soon!
Kelsea Ballerini 'Homecoming Queen'
Kelsea wrote 'Homecoming Queen' in February 2019 and it was released in September of that year. We caught up with the singer at the time, when she joined Jennie Longdon on Absolute Radio Country Breakfast.
Kelsea wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, and opening up about how she was feeling when she wrote it, told us: "I was in a really just insecure season, because in your twenties and in your teens and before that and I'm sure after this, there are seasons of life where you're just insecure and you're struggling with stuff and self-esteem and confidence and all that, and that's where I was and I was dealing with anxiety as we all do, and Nicolle just asked me how I was and I just broke like and egg."
Revealing that Nicolle told her that you wouldn't be able to tell from looking at her life on the outside, Kelsea realised a lot about about she really felt.
"If you had looked at my Instagram or whatever, I was just showing the cool shows I I was playing, singing with Kelly every night, here's what my face looks like professionally done but I wasn't really in a healthy place. For me I had this big conversation with Nicole and Jimmy I need to be able, we all need to be able, but personally give myself permission to have a bad day, and to let myself when I'm happy, truly be happy and celebrate it guilt free and when I'm sad, allow myself to feel that, allow myself to be vulnerable enough to be open about it because that's when you actually can get out of it and move forward.
"And too just learning that just because you have a bad day, doesn't mean that you feel that you have a bad life".
LISTEN: Kelsea Ballerini 'Homecoming Queen':
When was Kelsea Ballerini inducted into The Grand Ole Opry?
On April 16th 2019, Kelsea Ballerini became the youngest current member of The Grand Ole Opry when she was inducted by Carrie Underwood. She was invited to become a member by Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town.
Check out these huge moments in Kelsea Ballerini's career from her rise to fame:
Career beginnings
Kelsea Ballerini, an only child, grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee until she moved to Nashville in high school. Two years into her degree at Lipscomb University, she dropped out to sign a record deal with Black River Entertainment at 19.
Her debut single, 'Love Me Like You Mean It' landed on the Country Airplay chart in October 2014. Shortly after, Kelsea dropped a self-titled extended play and was named one of CMT's Next Women of Country. The initiative has helped fellow country stars Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Cam, Carly Pearce and Mickey Guyton hit the big time.
2015: First country Number 1
This was the year Kelsea's career blew up. 'Love You Like You Mean It', reached Number 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Kelsea the first solo female country music artist to score a Number 1 hit with her debut single since Carrie Underwood, and only the 11th woman ever to do so. Her second single, 'Dibs', also reached the top of the charts.
Kelsea joined Lady A on their Wheels Up tour and hit the road with Dan + Shay. She made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on 14th February 2015, an important milestone for any country artist.
2016: Touring with Rascal Flatts
'Peter Pan', the third single from Kelsea's debut album, 'First Time', reached Number 1 on both the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in March. Her fourth single, 'Yeah Boy', was released to country radio on 10th October 2016.
Kelsea was the opening act for Rascal Flatts on their 'Rhythm and Roots Tour', before embarking on her first headlining dates, 'The First Time Tour'. She also co-hosted the CMC Awards in Australia, alongside Morgan Evans. The pair began dating not long after.
2017: Country Music Awards nominations
Kelsea's career continued to go from strength to strength when she received her first two Academy of Country Music Award nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for 'Peter Pan'. She was also named on Forbes' 30 Under 30 – Music list, ranked at Number 2.
In June of that year, 'Legends', the first single from her sophomore album, 'Unapologetically', which was released on 3rd November. It debuted at Number 3 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart and Number 7 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, making it her highest-charting album to date.
Kelsea was the support act on two milestone tours in 2017, the 'You Look Good World Tour' with Lady A and Thomas Rhett's 'Home Team Tour'. She also co-hosted the CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock alongside Rhett. They both reprised the role for the next two consecutive years.
2018: The Voice
Her television career kicked off with The Voice, first as The Comeback Stage coach, then later as an advisor to judge Kelly Clarkson. Kelsea featured on The Chainsmokers song, 'This Feeling' - a crossover pop hit. She performed the hit song at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
2019: Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry
On 5th March 2019, Kelsea was invited by Little Big Town to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. On 16th April, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Carrie Underwood. Then, the duo sang Trisha Yearwood's 'Walkaway Joe' together at the ceremony.
2020: Collab with Halsey
In 2020, Kelsea collaborated with Halsey on the song 'The Other Girl', with the pair releasing the track on 20th April. The track was the second single from her third studio album 'Kelsea', with the singer co-writing the song with Halsey, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally.
2020: Two albums in one year and Shania Twain collab
Her self-titled third album, 'Kelsea' was released on 10th March 2020. Other promotional singles included 'LA' and, of course, 'The Other Girl' with Halsey. In early 2020, Halsey joined Kelsea for a CMT Crossroads performance in Nashville.
In September of 2020, Kelsea announced a surprise fourth album, 'Ballerini'. The album is a reimagined version of her third album 'Kelsea', featuring new melodies and acoustic recordings of the songs. The stripped-down version of 'Club' was released alongside the album announcement.
On top of all that, Shania Twain was revealed to be a featured artist on 'Hole In The Bottle' in late 2020, with the song released on 13th November. Topping the country chart in Canada, the track also hit the Number 2 spot on the US Country Airplay chart.
2021: Touring with the Jonas Brothers
'Hole In The Bottle' hit the top of the Mediabase Chart in February 2021, her sixth Number 1. Kelsea then released her single 'half of my hometown', featuring fellow Knoxville native Kenny Chesney, which she performed on the Academy of Country Music Awards in April 2021. That year, the song picked up the awards for Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year at the CMA Awards
Kelsea shared on social media in 2021 that she had already writing songs for her next album. As well as this, she announced her first poetry collection, 'Feel Your Way Through'. Topping off a very successful year, Kelsea also began touring with the Jonas Brothers, through to September 2022.
2022: Award nominations and co-hosting CMT Music Awards
In 2022, Kelsea bagged a whole host of award nominations, including Single of the Year at the CMA Awards for 'half of my hometown', Country Artist of 2022 at the People's Choice Awards, and THREE nominations at the 2022 CMT Music Awards - for Video of The Year, Collaborative Video of The Year and CMT Performance of The Year. Not only that, but she also picked up a nomination for Music Event of The Year at the ACM Awards that year, as both artist and producer of her track 'half of my hometown' - marking her first ACM nomination as a producer!
It was also in April of 2022 that Kelsea co-hosted the epic CMT Music Awards ceremony, alongside Kane Brown and Anthony Mackie. As well as her award nominations and hosting the show virtually, she performed her track 'Heartfirst'. This was the first time she performed the track, before releasing it on 8th April 2022.
2022: Touring with The Judds
Towards the end of 2022, Kelsea embarked on a tour with Wynonna Judd on 'The Final Tour'. The tour was first announced by Wynonna and Naomi Judd in April 2022, and was set to feature special guest Martina McBride - however, tragically Naomi passed away on 30th April. Wynonna announced that she would continue to tour, under the name The Judds, and the tour went ahead not only with Martina, but also alongside Keslea, Ashley McBryde, Faith Hill, Brandi Carlile, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood.
2023: 'Rolling Up the Welcome Mat' and Kenny Chesney tour
Kicking off 2023 with a bang, Kelsea announced on 13th February that she would be releasing her short film and EP 'Rolling Up the Welcome Mat' the following day. In an exciting promotion for the EP, she performed two tracks on Saturday Night Live - these being 'Blindsided' and 'Penthouse'. The exciting performance on the iconic show took place on 5th March 2023.
In the spring of 2023, Kelsea was the very special opening act for Kenny Chesney on his 'I Go Back' Tour. The co-headline delighted fans, following them teaming up in 2021 on their hit 'Half of My Hometown' with them sharing the same hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
2024: Award nominations and incoming new music
Welcoming in 2024, Kelsea shared a post that delighted fans across the world. Following the trend of stating 'ins' and 'outs' for the new year, the singer teased that she is working on some brand new music! Sharing a series of images of her living her best life, the country icon wrote: 'INS: making a record OUTS: posting about it', adding: 'au revoir for now 🤍', leading fans to believe she will be away working on a new album.
On top of that, setting 2024 up to be quite the year for the singer, Kelsea's EP 'Rolling Up the Welcome Mat' bagged her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Album. In April, she also picked up CMT Award nominations for CMT Performance of The Year, Female Video of The Year and Video of The Year.
Is Kelsea Ballerini on tour?
Kelsea isn't currently on tour in the UK or USA. Her latest live performances included her joining Kenny Chesney as his opening act, on his 'I Go Back' Tour in the Spring of 2023. Kelsea teamed up with the country singer in 2021 on their track 'Half of My Hometown' - with the pair sharing the same hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Has Kelsea Ballerini won awards?
Kelsea has received a number of nominations and awards throughout her career.
Not only was she named one of CMT's Next Women of Country in 2014, in 2015 she was winner of the Billboard Women in Music 'Rising Star' award. In 2016 Kelsea was 'New Female Vocalist of the Year' at the ACM Awards and the year after received her first Grammy nomination for 'Best New Artist'. Her second album Unapologetically' was nominated for a Grammy in 2019 for 'Best Country Album'.
Her collab with Kenny Chesney, 'Half of My Hometown' bagged the artists multiple awards, picking up the Country Music Association Award for Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year. More recently, she has received a multitude of nominations for gongs such as CMAs and Grammys, with her latest EP 'Rolling Up the Welcome Mat' getting a Grammy nomination in 2024.
April 2024 also saw her bag three CMT Award nominations - the CMT Performance of The Year award for 'If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)' from 2023 CMT Music Awards, the Female Video of The Year for 'Penthouse', and the Video of The Year for 'If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)'.
Is Kelsea married to Morgan Evans?
Country stars Kelsea and Morgan began dating in March 2016, becoming engaged on Christmas Day that same year. They tied the knot in Mexico on December 2nd 2017, and even went on to collaborate on their track 'Dance With Me' in October 2018. Sadly, in August 2022, Kelsea shared the news that the pair had decided to divorce.
Taking to her Instagram Story, she shared with fans that her and Morgan were ending their marriage after nearly five years, writing: 'This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end', continuing: 'It's hard to find the words here...but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons.'
Following the divorce, both Kelsea and Morgan released music based on them ending their relationship. Morgan released a single titled 'Over for You', which details his divorce from the singer, as well as a five-part docuseries about the making of it. Kelsea then released her six-track EP 'Rolling Up the Welcome Mat', as well as an extended version.
Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'It’s kinda scary opening a wound that time has mended... but this unexplainably transformative welcome mat had one last bit of rolling up to do. With this, comes a favor. I ask that you help this be ours and let the music simply be the music, not dig back into the experience that it was written about nearly a year ago.'
She continued: 'As a songwriter, producer, artist i’m proud and protective of this EP, and as a woman and human also proud and protective of the new, happy season of life i’m in.' (sic)
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes
If you're a fan of Kelsea (of course you are, how could you not be?) then you may have noticed a certain Outer Banks star feature quite regularly on her Instagram page. That is, of course, none other than Chase Stokes, who stars in the Netflix series and is currently in a relationship with the country singer.
The pair first went public with their relationship in February 2023, and in 2024 both shared sweet posts to celebrate their one-year anniversary. Sharing a series of photos of them together, Kelsea wrote: ' a whole trip around the sun with my bestie. @hichasestokes thanks for making me write love songs. 🤍' (sic)
On the same day, Chase took to his Instagram to share some more sweet photos of the pair looking loved up, writing: 'One year of lovin you ❤️ p.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you 🥰'. (sic)
You can hear songs by Kelsea Ballerini on Absolute Radio Country!
Now take a look at these country tours that are coming to the UK in 2024 and beyond:
Here You Come Again (musical)
If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits can be experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! Featuring hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream', the musical is touring the UK this year, and you can catch it in locations such as Birmingham, Sheffield, London, Glasgow, Norwich, Cheltenham, Woking, Salford, Bath, Milton Keynes, Blackpool and Liverpool - with dates running from now, all the way up to 7th December 2024. It is expected the musical will even continue into 2025, however these dates are yet to be confirmed.
Buy tickets here!
Elles Bailey
Elles Bailey - a favourite on Absolute Radio Country's 'The Front Porch' with Baylen Leonard - is heading on her biggest headline tour to date this Autumn, spanning 16 shows across the UK! The epic shows are seeing the genre-splicing roots singer perform songs from her new album 'Beneath The Neon Glow', having started in Lincoln Wednesday 25th September 2024. The tour is now taking in shows in range of cities, including Cambridge, Bristol, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Wolverhampton, with the run ending in Leeds on Sunday 1st December.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - 2025
Kicking off 2025 strong will be country rock duo Brothers Osborne, who are lined up to be heading to the UK & Ireland in January. The duo will be bringing us nine dates as part of their 'Might As Well Be Us World Tour', with John and TJ Osborne playing shows in Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London in January 2025, from Friday 17th - Thursday 30th January, with support coming from Tyler Braden.
Buy tickets here!
Corey Kent
Rising country star Corey Kent is scheduled to captivate UK audiences in February 2025! Bringing his 'The Black Bandana Tour' across the pond, with his powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Corey is set to perform in in cities like Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and London, from 2nd - 11th February 2025.
Buy tickets here!
Carly Pearce - 2025
The incredible Carly Pearce will be gracing the UK with tour dates in 2025! The singer's 'hummingbird' tour will be heading around the UK & Ireland throughout February 2025, beginning in London on 19th, before visiting Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast, before culminating in Dublin on 28th. The tour supports Carly's fourth studio album, 'Hummingbird', which she released in June 2024.
Buy tickets here!
Country To Country 2025
Taking place at London's The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena on the weekend of Friday 14th to Sunday 26th March 2025, the world-renowned Country To Country Festival returns! The blockbuster line-up has been revealed for next year's country bonanza, with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson serving as the headline acts. With other huge names like Dylan Gossett, Tyler Hubbard, Chayce Beckham and 'A Bar Song' icon Shaboozey joining the bill, check out the incredible Country To Country 2025 line-up, as well as our complete guide to Country To Country 2025.
Buy tickets here!
Morgan Wade - 2025
The spectacular Morgan Wade will be heading to the UK & Ireland in 2025, as part of 'The Obsessed Tour' - which will also see her perform around Europe. Playing four huge shows throughout the UK & Ireland, the 'Time to Love, Time to Kill' singer will be performing her largest UK headline show to date at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on 25th March 2025, before calling at Manchester's Albert Hall on 26th, Whelan's in Dublin on 27th, then finishing at the O2 Academy Glasgow on 30th.
Buy tickets here!
Scotty McCreery - 2025
'Fall of Summer' star Scotty McCreery delighted fans with the news that he is returning to the UK with tour dates! You can catch the country star live in concert in May 2025, with dates starting in Belfast on 23rd May. Scotty will then travel through Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, before ending the run in London on 30th!
Buy tickets here!
The Long Road Festival 2025
August Bank Holiday 2025 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages.
Buy tickets here!
Now read:
Ashley McBryde: The country girl with a killer voice
13 of the biggest moments from Kelsea Ballerini's career so far
Carrie Underwood: A look back over the country singer's incredible career through the years
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