Nashville, Tenn. (August 1, 2016) – Platinum-selling country sweetheart Kelsea Ballerini
has achieved yet another milestone on her way to superstardom,
announcing today (8/1) her first-ever headlining tour — aptly titled
THE FIRST TIME Tour.
Named after her critically-acclaimed debut album
THE FIRST TIME
and kicking off October 21 in Houston, TX, the Black River artist’s
nationwide trek will take her record-breaking hits like “Love Me Like
You Mean It” and “Dibs” to 10 cities over the 11 dates with additional
dates to be announced soon. The tour is set to wrap up with a two-night
stand in Las Vegas with special guest Cam in early December. The news
comes on the heels of Ballerini’s latest single, the smash “Peter Pan,”
entering the Top 10 on both the
Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase radio charts, while its fantasy-themed music
video , directed by Kristin Barlowe, nears 10 million views on Vevo.
“I’ve
been blessed to open for so many incredible artists and people I
admire. Getting to watch their shows and learn more about our craft has
inspired me to grow as an artist,” shared Ballerini. “One of the
highlights of touring has been meeting fans and creating new
relationships along the way. And for that reason, I was inspired to put
together my first headlining tour. I can’t wait to get up close and
personal with the people who have made the last few years so incredible.
See you this fall!”
Tickets
for THE FIRST TIME Tour will be available to fan club members beginning
Wednesday (8/3) and go on sale to the general public this Friday (8/5)
at 10 a.m. local time. A limited number of VIP experiences will also be
up for grabs to fan club members starting Wednesday (8/3) at 10 a.m.,
with non-members joining the sale at noon local time.
Already
on the road as part of Rascal Flatts’ RHYTHM & ROOTS Tour, media
outlets around the country can’t get enough of Ballerini’s musical style
and sparkling personality, raving about recent performances with quotes
such as:
“…Ballerini,
who has the fresh-faced, doe-eyed enthusiasm of a younger Mandy Moore,
impressed with her soulful voice and inviting stage presence…” – The Charlotte Observer
“…Ballerini’s vivacity is almost tangible, and it is easy to see her taking the next steps towards stardom…” – The Plain Dealer
“…Ballerini quickly climbs to top of country music world…” – Albuquerque Journal
Announced dates and cities on Kelsea Ballerini’s THE FIRST TIME Tour:
10/21 – Houston, TX – House of Blues*
10/22 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues *
11/11 – Knoxville, TN – TN Theatre +
11/12 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre +
11/18 – Mahnomen, MN – Shooting Star Casino (Delayed on sale date from National Tour)
11/19 – Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights ^
12/2 – New York City, NY – Irving Plaza ~
12/3 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom ~
12/8 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern (Delayed on sale date from National Tour)
12/9 – Las Vegas, NV – Orleans Casino w/ special guest Cam
12/10 – Las Vegas, NV – Orleans Casino w/ special guest Cam
Special guests:
* With Carly Pearce
+ With Morgan Evans
^ With Levi Hummon
~ With Jacob Davis
Adding to the excitement, Ballerini will perform tonight (8/1) on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! outdoor stage, this Wednesday (8/3) will feature her as part of the massive CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock
concert special (also on ABC) and on Thursday (8/4), she and Arsenio
Hall will co-host the grand finale of ABC’s musical retrospective
“Greatest Hits” live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
About Kelsea Ballerini:
Kelsea Ballerini launched to stardom with two consecutive #1 smashes –
PLATINUM-selling “Love Me Like You Mean It” and GOLD-certified follow-up
“Dibs” – from her critically acclaimed debut album THE FIRST TIME.
The Black River Entertainment recording artist is the first solo female
artist in 15 years to hit #1 with her first two country singles and one
of only 11 women to have ever hit the top of the charts with a debut.
Abuzz with high-profile media looks, she has been named “The Country
Sweetheart” in People Magazine’s elite “Ones to Watch” portfolio, touted by Billboard Magazine as “Country’s Next Queen,” praised by Rolling Stone
as the “Nashville It Girl,” selected as one of CMT’s Next Women of
Country, and is currently co-hosting alongside Arsenio Hall on ABC’s
summer replacement series “Greatest Hits.” The talented
singer/songwriter’s credit is featured on all 12 songs on her debut,
including current Top 10-and-climbing hit single “Peter Pan.” Awarded Billboard’s
“Rising Star” honor at the prestigious 2015 Women In Music event,
Ballerini continues to rack up the accolades earning her first-ever ACM
Award win for New Female Vocalist of the Year, the fan-voted Radio Disney Music Award for The Freshest – Best New Artist (all genre) and the American Country Countdown Award (ACCA) for Breakthrough Female of the Year.
Having shared the stage with Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw,
Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, Ballerini performed at the Country
CMC Rocks Festival in Australia and is currently on Rascal Flatts’
nationwide RHYTHM & ROOTS Tour.
