Song charting right now: “Dibs" at #15 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay
First song that charted: “Love Me Like You Mean It" at #1 on Country Airplay and #5 on Hot Country Songs
Biggest hit: “Love Me Like You Mean It”
First song that charted: “Love Me Like You Mean It" at #1 on Country Airplay and #5 on Hot Country Songs
Biggest hit: “Love Me Like You Mean It”
Bio: Pop/country singer and songwriter Kelsea Ballerini has been one of the biggest rising stars in country music over the last year. From Knoxville, Tennessee, Ballerini is signed to Black River Entertainment, a small independent record label, but has still managed to have incredible success. She moved to Nashville when she was 15 to pursue a music career, inspired directly by Taylor Swift. She signed a publishing deal with Black River Publishing when she was 19, and was offered a full record deal later that same year. Her debut single "Love Me Like You Mean It" was released to radio midway through 2014, and she followed it up with a self-titled EP, containing the single, as well as her new single "Dibs" and other popular tracks "Yeah Boy," "Looking At Stars" and "First Time." The EP was praised by Ballerini's idol, no other than Taylor Swift, who helped Ballerini's fan-base grow tremendously. In 2015, her debut single topped the charts and she released her debut record in May, titled The First Time, full of pop leaning songs about love and empowerment.
Contributions to country radio: Ballerini has truly opened the door for new woman in country music to get radio airplay. Maddie & Tae brought the inequality on radio to light, but Ballerini made something happen. Her debut single, "Love Me Like You Mean It" went No.1, and as a woman in country music right now, this is almost unheard of. The last person to do that was Carrie Underwood, almost ten years ago. She also became the first woman ever to have a No. 1 on an independent label. Of course, the song isn't exactly country, and it's not the best song to ever hit country radio, but it was sung by a woman. Kelsea Ballerini can be credited for the increase in women on the charts right now, with Cam and Jana Kramer both on the Top 20, as well as Ballerini's own single. Ballerini showed country fans that a song sung by a woman can be just as catchy or amazing as a song sung by a man. She brought a more even playing field, and the woman of country music will thank her endlessly for that.
Music:
The First Time (featuring "Love Me Like You Mean It" and "Dibs")
Contributions to country radio: Ballerini has truly opened the door for new woman in country music to get radio airplay. Maddie & Tae brought the inequality on radio to light, but Ballerini made something happen. Her debut single, "Love Me Like You Mean It" went No.1, and as a woman in country music right now, this is almost unheard of. The last person to do that was Carrie Underwood, almost ten years ago. She also became the first woman ever to have a No. 1 on an independent label. Of course, the song isn't exactly country, and it's not the best song to ever hit country radio, but it was sung by a woman. Kelsea Ballerini can be credited for the increase in women on the charts right now, with Cam and Jana Kramer both on the Top 20, as well as Ballerini's own single. Ballerini showed country fans that a song sung by a woman can be just as catchy or amazing as a song sung by a man. She brought a more even playing field, and the woman of country music will thank her endlessly for that.
Music:
The First Time (featuring "Love Me Like You Mean It" and "Dibs")