Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Black River Publishing's Dave Pacula, ole's John Ozier, ASCAP's Beth Brinker, co-writers Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Lee and Forest Glen Whitehead, producer Jason Massey, Black River Entertainment's Gordon Kerr, and BMI's David Preston. Photo credit: John Shearer
Celebrating her high flying, third consecutive #1 single surrounded by planes and parachutes, Kelsea Ballerini and her music industry supporters toasted to the success of “Peter Pan” at a massive party held yesterday (10/12) in a Nashville airplane hangar.
Standing alongside the song’s co-writers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee, Ballerini told the assembled crowd it takes the hard work of many different people to climb so high. “This is bigger than me,” she said, before concluding with a promise to keep aiming for the stars and to make her believers proud.
The chart-topping success of “Peter Pan” is a historic feat, making Ballerini the first female artist – including duos or groups – to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with her first three singles. Simultaneously, the fantasy-themed tune rose to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, also making Ballerini the first female artist to score a double #1. It is the first chart-topper for Lee and the second for songwriter/producer Whitehead, who also co-wrote Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
Decorating the cavernous space to mimic the feel of the “Peter Pan” music video (directed by Kristin Barlowe), Ballerini, her co-writers and co-producer Jason Massey were presented with #1 plaques and gifts from ASCAP, BMI, and publishers ole and Black River Publishing, before Ballerini’s record label – Black River Entertainment – surprised the star with news that her debut album had just reached GOLD certification for sales of over 500,000 copies.
Performing alongside her co-writers, the 23-year-old then delivered laid back acoustic renditions of “Peter Pan” and “Yeah Boy,” the fun-and-flirty fourth single from THE FIRST TIME, before joining in the celebration.
Capping off an outstanding year, the Black River recording artist will receive CMT’s second-annual Breakout Artist of the Year award during the network’s 2016 Artists of the Year special, premiering October 20 at 9 p.m. ET, and November 2 will find her at the 50th annual CMA Awards where she is nominated in two categories: New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She is also vying for Favorite Female Artist – Country at the fan-voted American Music Awards on November 20, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Voting is now open through November 14 at amavote.com.
Ballerini holds the distinction of having written all three GOLD-certified singles from her debut album THE FIRST TIME, including her PLATINUM-certified debut, “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey, THE FIRST TIME showcases Ballerini’s skillful songwriting on each of the 12 songs. After spending the summer winning over audiences on Rascal Flatts’ RHYTHM & ROOTS Tour, Ballerini is set to headline her own tour, aptly titled, THE FIRST TIME Tour. Kicking off this fall, she is already proving her crowd-drawing potential with two shows confirmed as early sell-outs, including her hometown concert in Knoxville (11/11) and Minneapolis show (11/19).
Pictured (L-R): Jason Massey, Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Lee, Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo credit: John Shearer
About Kelsea Ballerini:
Kelsea Ballerini has launched to stardom with releasing three consecutive #1 smashes from her critically acclaimed debut album THE FIRST TIME; the PLATINUM-certified “Love Me Like You Mean It” and GOLD-certified hits “Dibs” and “Peter Pan,” making her the only female artist in Country music history, including female duos and groups, to achieve this accolade. The talented singer/songwriter’s credit is featured on all 12 songs on her debut. Abuzz with high-profile media looks, the Black River Entertainment artist 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 this summer co-hosted alongside Arsenio Hall on ABC’s summer replacement series Greatest Hits. Awarded Billboard’s “Rising Star” honor at the prestigious 2015 Women In Music event, Ballerini continues to gain recognition with scoring 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. She will embark on her first solo headlining tour – THE FIRST TIME Tour – this fall.
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