Introducing… Kelsea Ballerini
Knoxville native Kelsea Ballerini didn’t grow up around impromptu jam sessions in her family’s living room, but there was always music filling the atmosphere.
“Music wasn’t a career that anyone in my family pursued,” she recalls. “That being said, I don’t remember a time growing up where music wasn’t being played.”
While she definitely had her country influences thanks where she grew up, her musical influences started with Top 40 acts like Britney Spears and ‘NSYNC. When she did dive into the country world, her introduction was through artists such as Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, and Shania Twain.
(Swift has even taken notice of Ballerini, tweeting out: Driving around with the @KelseaBallerini EP on repeat.. SO lovely:) #yeahboy #lovemelikeyoumeanit)
She had two other loves aside from music: storytelling and writing… a perfect combination for songwriting. Though songwriting wasn’t even in her plans, she combined her two passions and just stumbled into it.
“Looking back, songwriting was a gift that was put in my life at a time where I had a lot to say,” Ballerini tells us. “It’s always been an outlet for me.”
Like so many other aspiring songwriters, she made the move to Music City at the age of 15, but had no idea how to make connections. So, instead of the old-fashioned route of knocking on every door in Nashville with the hope that someone within the industry would give her a minute of their time, she turned to Facebook.
“I friended a bunch of people in the music industry on Facebook hoping that they would see a song or video that I posted,” Ballerini, 21, recalls. “And one of those people worked at Black River [Entertainment].”
Black River – also home to Kellie Pickler and Craig Morgan – first signed Ballerini to a publishing deal. Since that time she’s spent quite a bit of time in Nashville honing her skills, and says one of the most important lessons she’s learned is to be yourself. She understands how cliché it sounds, but it’s the truth.
“For so long I mimicked the music of my role models and influencers,” she says. “The minute I started writing and singing what I wanted was the minute doors started opening.”
By being herself, she developed a sound that mixes her love of pop grooves and melodies with the lyrics and stories she loves in country music. It’s a sound that can be heard on her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and on her debut self-titled EP which features four additional songs. And it’s just a taste of what coming next as her debut album, The First Time, is due out May 19.
“It’s actually in the process of being mastered right now,” she says. “I couldn’t possibly be more excited about it. I feel like where the EP captures the fun, youthful side of my music, the rest of the album has the depth. It’s a snapshot of my life from 12 – 21.”
As she’s getting ready to go full throttle into the country world she’s already reached an important milestone as a new country singer: her debut at the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s a huge honor. As a country music artist, that is the most important and treasured venue there is,” she points out. “So to be able to step into that circle is something I will never forget.”
With her single at radio, and her album due out soon, it’s hard to imagine she has any spare time; but she manages, somehow.
“I’m actually a homebody,” she confesses. “So when I get home from being on the road for awhile I love having friends over, and just hanging out. Netflix happens. A lot.”
She is, however, more than ready to get on the road to play for everyone. She may be young, but this moment has been a long time coming.
“I can’t wait to share my songs, and meet more people who love country music,” Ballerini says.
Check out Ballerini’s debut music video for “Love Me Like You Mean It” below…
Pick up Kelsea’s self-titled EP HERE.
