Kelsea Ballerini Squeals With Delight Over 2023 Grammy Nomination

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

November 16th, 2022 1:54 PM

Kelsea Ballerini was at a Nashville area restaurant having lunch with a group of friends yesterday (11/15) and watching the Grammy nominations live on one of their phones when they learned that she was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Solo Performance Country category for her song “Heartfirst.”

The girls and Ballerini all screamed when they heard the news, and one friend said, “We have a Grammy-nominated artist, people.” Kelsea shared the video clip on her Instagram, writing, “The song about following your heart no matter where it leads just for nominated for a GRAMMY. Couldn’t be more cosmic. Here’s to always jumping right in, baby, with your heart first.”

Several of Ballerini’s friends and fans reacted to the post, including Lady A’s Hillary Scott, a multiple Grammy winner herself, who posted four heart emojis. Singer Natasha Bedingfield commented, “This is so wonderful! Best news ever! I’m thrilled for you, darling.” A fan reacted, “Shoutout to whoever kept the camera stable to get the reaction.” Another fan wrote, “Still screaming, crying, throwing up!!!!”

The post was liked over 45,000 times.

Kelsea also played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville last night (11/15), singing her now Grammy-nominated song “Heartfirst.” This nomination is her third nod. She has yet to win.

Ballerini will return as CMT Music Awards co-host for the third consecutive year, as she revealed earlier this month (11/2) at Carrie Underwood’s show in Austin, Texas. Underwood, who holds the title of the winningest artist in CMT history, with a total of 25 trophies, was revealed as the first performer for the 2023 show.

CMT and CBS announced that the 2023 CMT Music Awards would air on Sunday, April 2, 2023 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) live from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center for the first time ever.

12 Kelsea Ballerini Songs That Made Her A Star

• 12. “Yeah Boy” (2016)

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  Described as an ode to the 1990s, in the song's video, Kelsea is shown performing the song in a colorful bodysuit in front of a neon backdrop and a brick wall spray-painted with graffiti, with female backup dancers.

• 11. “Legends” (2017)

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  This song is a bit legendary as it topped the Hot Country Songs chart on Billboard. Ballerini performed the song at the 2017 CMA Awards with country legend Reba McEntire.

• 10. “I Hate Love Songs” (2018)

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  The song was originally not going to be recorded for her second album. Still, after receiving a standing ovation for her performance of it at the Grand Ole Opry in August 2017, Ballerini decided to include it on the record. She said at the time, "I called my label, I was like, 'I think we need to cut this song.'"
• 9. “Miss Me More” (2018)

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  A critically acclaimed song for Kelsea, she performed it many times on TV, including at the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards. Thirteen days later, she performed it on Season 15 of 'The Voice,' and then in June of 2019; she performed the song at the 2019 CMT Music Awards.

• 8. “Homecoming Queen?” (2019)

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  The lead single from her third studio album 'Kelsea,' which was released in March of 2020. In an interview with The Tennessean, Ballerini revealed that "Homecoming Queen?" heralded "a new, more emotionally vulnerable phase of her career."

• 7. “Dibs” (2015)

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  The name of her dog, which she got as a puppy when this song first came out. The song's video consists of footage Kelsea took herself while on tour in York, Pennsylvania, Greenville, South Carolina, and St. Leonard, Maryland, performing in front of live crowds, celebrating her 22nd birthday, and spending time with her dog.
• 6. “Love Me Like You Mean It” (2014)

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  Her debut single and the song that brought her to the country music dance. "Love Me Like You Mean It" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Ballerini the first solo female to top that chart with her debut single since Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" in 2006.

• 5. “The Other Girl” (with Halsey) (2020)

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  A solid collaboration. Ballerini and Halsey performed the song live on 'CMT Crossroads' on March 25, 2020. The song won a CMT Music Award for Performance of the Year, marking both artists' first CMT award.

• 4. “Peter Pan” (2016)

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  Another chart-topper for Kelsea, the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold 672,000 copies in the US as of March 2017. Ballerini first performed the song live with Nick Jonas at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
• 3. “Heartfirst” (2022)

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  Her new single and already a hit with fans. Kelsea co-wrote the song with Alysa Vanderheym and Little Big Town member Karen Fairchild. She recently said it was the first song that she ever wrote where she did not come up with the title first; instead, the opening line "Met him at a party/ Accidentally brushed his body/ On the way to get a drink at the bar" was the first lyric she wrote for the song.

• 2. “Hole in the Bottle” (2020)

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  A catchy and fun drinking song. A remix of the song featuring Shania Twain was released on November 13, 2020. An alternate song recording is also included on Ballerini's fourth studio album, 'Ballerini.'

• 1. “Half of My Hometown” (featuring Kenny Chesney) (2021)

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  A classic sounding and much-loved country song with fellow native East Tennessean Kenny Chesney. The song won both Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year at the 55th Annual Country Music Association Awards and is nominated for Single of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards.

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Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

Category:

• Country 102.5
• Music

Tags:

2023 Grammys,Kelsea Ballerini