Nashville, Tenn. (February 15, 2015) –
Black River Entertainment recording artist Kelsea Ballerini made her
Grand Ole Opry debut last night on Valentine’s Day. Following the
performance of her top 30 single “Love Me Like You Mean It,” the
Knoxville native choked up before performing her solo write, The First Time, announcing it is also the title track of her debut album due May 19.
“I wr
ote
this song a long time ago about learning the lesson that sometimes the
past should stay in the past,” said Kelsea. “I never thought I’d be so
thankful for that experience and that I’d be playing it at the Grand Ole
Opry! My album The First Time is named after this song and it’s coming out on May 19. I’ve been dying to tell people this!”
The
first time Kelsea heard she’d be making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry
came as an unexpected surprise from country music superstars Lady
Antebellum. Caught on video here, the trio broke the news to Kelsea on the ACCA red carpet as she was interviewing them as a special correspondent for Radio Disney.
Newly named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country,”
songwriting is cornerstone in Kelsea’s composition as an artist.
Kelsea’s songwriting is on full display throughout the upcoming album as
she’s writer on every track found on The First Time.
Black
River Entertainment’s Vice President of A&R Doug Johnson is
confident in Kelsea’s future as an artist. “Kelsea Ballerini is the
most naturally talented writer/artist I have ever known. She was born to
do this,” said Johnson.
Produced by Black River Publishing’s songwriter/publisher Forest Glen Whitehead along with Jason Massey The First Time contains all of the tracks from the previously released digital EP and seven additional original tracks.
