Bonafide Trailblazer Notches Most #1s On The Billboard Country Airplay Chart
As A Female Artist Since 2015
“I Hate Love Songs” Announced As Next Single
From Critically Acclaimed Sophomore Album
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Black River Entertainment’s KELSEA BALLERINI continues to write her own story with her record-breaking #1 “Legends” atop both Country Aircheck and the Billboard Country Airplay charts this week.
The Country superstar has now notched the most #1s for a female artist since debuting on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2015, with the lead single off her critically acclaimed sophomore album UNAPOLOGETICALLY. Penned by Ballerini alongside Hillary Lindsey and Forest Glen Whitehead, the cinematic adjoining music video has captivated more than 12.3 million viewers to date.
Her breakout #1 “Love Me Like You Mean It” from her GOLD-certified debut album THE FIRST TIME, marked the first time a solo female topped the chart in nearly three years since Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” (2012). She also became the first solo female artist in nine years to hit #1 with her debut Country single and one of only 11 women to have ever reached that feat with a debut.
Ballerini also remains the first female artist in the genre, including female duos and groups, to achieve #1 with her first three consecutive singles – PLATINUM-certified “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” “Peter Pan” – from a debut album.
As teased during her landmark headlining debut at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Valentine’s Day last week, Ballerini’s cheeky ode to a modern-day romance, “I Hate Love Songs,” is her next single shipping to Country radiotomorrow (2/22) and impacting 3/12. Ballerini co-wrote the ballad alongside wordsmiths Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen.
“I will never forget introducing ‘I Hate Love Songs’ at the Grand Ole Opry before my record was even out, and just the overwhelming feeling of magic. I’d never experienced anything like that before with a song,” Ballerini recalls. “It’s sweet and sassy and I hope you love it as much as I do.”
Black River’s SVP of Radio Promotion Mike Wilson adds, “We are very excited about Kelsea’s new single ‘I Hate Love Songs.’ The reaction at her shows has been tremendous and as we’ve been playing it for radio, the response has been very positive! We can’t wait to hear it on Country radio!”
Bringing her chronological sonic diary to life, 14 cities on THE UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR are sold out with limited tickets remaining in Santa Barbara, CA (4/25). Ballerini is also set for a batch of international dates including C2C: Country to Country 2018 in London, United Kingdom (3/9) and Dublin, Ireland (3/11); CMC Rocks in Ipswich, Australia (3/17 and 3/18); plus a continuation of THE UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR with a sold-out show at Metro Theatre in Sydney, Australia (3/20).
Critics are commending Ballerini’s onstage expression of loss, life, and love,
during THE UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR:
“…Ballerini was bound and determined to do it her way, just as she has throughout her independent career.”
– Tampa Bay Times
“Each song was an album cut, but audiences sang the words as surely as if each song were a hit.”
– The Tennessean
“She was flawless from note one.”
– CMT
“She’s got the moxie, the stage presence, and the connection with her fans is something that can’t be denied.”
– Sounds Like Nashville
“…Ballerini’s voice was strong, and she added plenty of flourishes and phrase changes to keep the audience guessing.”
– PopCulture.com
For more information on KELSEA BALLERINI and VIP Experiences for THE UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR, visit KelseaBallerini.com and reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans can also follow along the tour with #KB2TOUR.