Kelsea Ballerini: I'm Diggin' What She's Doin'

2 ACM Award Nominations

1 ACM Award

2 Teen Choice Award Nominations

2 CMA Award Nominations

1 AMA Nomination

And that's just 2016.

If you're still not impressed, Kelsea Ballerini has a head start on 2017 with two nominations for Favorite Country Female Artist (People's Choice Awards) and Best New Artist (GRAMMY Awards). She's creating a lot of first times for herself, for  women, for country music, and for women in country music (pun fully intended). #YouGoGirl

The first time I was introduced to Kelsea's music was back in March of 2015 when she opened for Billy Currington and that was when I knew I'd love her. To quote myself after that show, "Have you ever instantly connected to an artist after only hearing them perform just once?" Yes. Connected then. And still connected now.

I've been following her journey ever since, and I'm so happy to see how her career has taken off... Like when you fast forward to December 2 and Kelsea is headlining her own tour and selling out venues in New York City. 

The atmosphere inside Irving Plaza was incredible. We were belting out lyrics as if we had written them, because we've all been there. That is precisely why Kelsea connects so well with her audience (aka me); we know how it feels to love someone or to have a broken heart, and she helps us put those feelings into words (cue Stilettos and Peter Pan). And I'll speak from experience, nothing is more liberating than shouting "you don't get to get to me" and "you're never gonna be a man, Peter Pan" with a room full of others who just get it.

So there we were, deep in our feelings, swaying to the music, realizing that tomorrow we'd have no voice, when... sirens. Nope, not the song; actual warning lights were flashing like lightning. Right in the middle of a new song about high school, the fire alarm went off and KB and her band cleared the stage. Despite all that we had been taught in high school, the crowd didn't move. I guess we all just wanted to dance in the eye of danger?

10 minutes of confusion, someone shouting "There's a first time for everything, Kelsea!" and she was back on stage. From Love Me Like You Mean It to The First Time to Dibs - if it was anyone's first time with Kelsea, it certainly won't be their last. Not only is "Country's Next Queen" a great performer and songwriter, she's also among the most humble and appreciative, and for that reason alone, no one deserves the success more. Keep it up, girl.

For all of you other KB fans out there, she told us she's working on a new album and I am very much looking forward to that. 

I ain't staying down, tonight I'm going out

Yeah, even if I have to fake it

A little black dress to cover my mess

So you won't know my heart is breaking

#NYCountrified

**Full list of Awards & Nominations here.... because 2015 was also stacked.

Making Memories Of Us, With Them

It isn't news to anyone how much I love music -- we've been there a few times -- but one of the things I love most is its special relationship with the memory. Amongst many other things, music can be all transporting, captivating, uplifting, saddening, inspiring and motivating. It can make you feel things -- both new and old. It can change your mood. It can transport you to another place and time, for better or for worse. Music always leaves an impression, whether you realize it at that moment or not.

Keith Urban is an artist I grew up listening to -- Stupid Boy, Somebody Like You, Raining On Sunday, and You'll Think Of Me were my jams. Hearing those songs will forever remind me of the way I felt the first time I heard them; spouting his lyrics at the top of my lungs while driving with the windows down; and the bond Keith's music created within my family. So, you can probably imagine my excitement seeing him in concert for the first time.

I don't know if it's because it was the final stop on the Ripcord Tour, but my experience that night was unparalleled. I'd always heard Keith Urban put on a great show, but this was more than great. He had a stage presence like I'd never seen and at the start of each song I'd lean over to my friend and say, "OMG, I love this one!" ... "This one, too!" (How is it that even after a number of years pass by, a song comes on and somehow the words just roll so easy off your tongue? The memory, man.) To say he's a remarkable performer would be an understatement. He belongs on the stage. And there isn't even a shred of doubt in that statement. Who wouldn't wanna be him?

Maren Morris had me feeling like I was at Bonnaroo all over again (sigh). She also reminds me so much of Miranda Lambert, and apparently I'm not the only who thinks so because she sang We Were Us with Keith, and crushed it. 

And when it comes to Brett Eldredge, I could go on and on, and on and on, all day long. Just thinking about his voice right now gives me chills. Would it be a stretch to call him a modern day, country Frank Sinatra? He also knows just how to make a woman feel special. Throwing flowers out into the crowd, Brett? You really do want us to be drunk on your love, don't ya?

Most valuable play of the night -- Keith's and Brett's duet of Somebody Like You. During the end guitar solo the entire arena was jumping up and down like they were on the stage. That was quite a liberating moment for me and I can still feel the thrill of it now.

Wow. What a night.

And now for my obligatory see what I did there moment... It certainly wasn't wasted time, but it was definitely time well spent.

If you're into reliving moments like I am (and jogging that unbelievable memory), here's a playlist that will take you back to that night -- or just help you pretend like you were there.

The rain is coming down tonight

I'm smiling looking at this photograph

I hear that song and I'm flying right back

To when we had it made

#NYCountrified

I Know Who's In My Heart Shaped Locket

Brothers Osborne.

I have never experienced anything quite like last night. Fresh from the CMAs, this was the Vocal Duo of the Year's first show after winning, and I don't think being welcomed to New York City by a sold out Irving Plaza is a terrible way to celebrate. From the smell of burning incense to the array of stringed instruments, this was nothing like what I expected. It was better.

There was Rum. There was an emotional Love The Lonely Out Of You. A kick ass performance of It Ain't My Fault, which was prefaced by TJ saying "I don't care if you know the words or not. You better get loud." (aaand we did). And then of course, 21 Summer and Stay a Little Longer (which is all that I wanted to do). Somewhere between the phenomenal perfomances of their own songs, the bluegrass piece, and the sick covers of Whiskey River, Atlantic City, and Pick Up Man, I found that it really is possible to love your favorite songs even more. Who'da thunk it?

Everything was so perfect, it's difficult to say what was my favorite part. Was it the many, many outrageous guitar solos by John? Was it during Stay a Little Longer when I TJ killed it on the cow bell? Or was it when a "USA" chant turned into a "CMA" chant? Maybe it was when TJ forgot the words to Heart Shaped Locket and had to start over (LOL). No, no, no. I know what it was. My favorite moment of all was when the entire venue sang along to Take Me Home, Country Road. I have never, ever heard a louder, more energetic crowd. This was undoubdtedly a venue full of passionate fans, of which I am now one.

It wouldn't be right to leave out the hip-shakin', heart-breakin' LANco, which were a perfect start to the evening. Thanks for letting me have my moment with Trouble Maker. I can't wait to hear what y'all put out next!

I'm pretty sure I didn't quit stompin' my boots the entire night, I definitely never stopped smiling (except for when I basically cried during Love The Lonely Out Of You), and I want to go back and relive it a thousand more times. Because there is something truly, truly special about this band. No wonder they won a CMA award. 

As I was leaving the show, I heard my exact thoughts echoed by person after person after person. "That was so f$!*ing good." And it was. Here's to wishing we all could've stayed a little longer...

Blame the bar for the band 

Blame the band for the song

Blame the song for the party that went all night long

But it ain’t my fault

#NYCountrified

Oh, What a Feeling

As I rode the subway this morning listening to my Song For Another Time playlist, I had an 'aha' moment. 

I love music. 

Simple. Nothing profound. But nevertheless, true.

The playlist is a compilation of all of the references in Old Dominion's Song For Another Time by Old Dominion and spans across a number of different genres (hello 80s and 90s). The commute and routine was just like any other day, except that it wasn't. I was somewhere between Marina Del Ray and Dancing on the Ceiling, and it hit me. Music. This stuff is great. And I can't believe I get to wake up every day in a world where it's all around me. 

Whether it's exploring new stuff or reliving the favorites (or keeping that new Jake Owen tune on repeat), the possibilities with music are endless. Like, that moment when a song you love (and otherwise totally forgot existed) comes on, it feels like it's new all over again. Or those days when you have a mini concert in your apartment (all too familiar to me).  But there is still so much I've yet to hear. People could stop creating new music today (but please don't) and I still would be able to discover something new every day... for the rest of my life. And I think that's pretty darn cool.

Maybe it's because I watched the CMA Awards last night. Or perhaps I just woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Whatever it is.. it's a good day.

Oh, what a feeling.

Let's be brown eyed girl sweet Caroline
Free fallin' small town Saturday night
Before you lose that lovin' feeling
Let's go dancing on the ceiling

#NYCountrified

Old Dominion Comes to Playstation Theater, So You Go.

And you love every single second of it. 

I don't need to ramble on about how much I love Old Dominion, or how unbelievable their show was, because you've already had your fair share of that (here, here, here, here, here, aaand here - but who's counting?). What I will share with you though, are some of the important highlights from last night's show in New York.

1) Album number two is in the works, and last night they played two new songs that'll be a part of it -- Be With Me and So You Go. These songs fall nothing short of the witty, catchy tunes you're used to hearing from them (yet never tire of). Crossing my fingers that Can't Get You, Still Writing Songs About You, and Brad Tursi's Almost September will also make the cut. Now we just, wait...

2) A lively version of Pink Houses by John Mellencamp was a nice surprise, and also led to a "USA!" chant immediately following (ya gotta love country music, folks). Though I knew Song For Another Time was full of song references, this prompted me to look a little deeper and was I blown away. In case you also want to be in the know, check out the Spotify playlist I made. 

3) We Got It Right. They got it right. And everything was more than alright. I fell in love with this song from the first moment I heard it, and somehow witnessing it live (for the first time) made me love it even more. Thanks for giving me my moment. 

4) Sold Out. What a year these guys have had! As I was looking back to reference just how many times I'd written about Old Dominion, I stumbled across this line (circa May 2015), "Old Dominion is definitely going SOMEWHERE fast." It was true then, and it's still true now. Hats off to you, fellas!

It wouldn't be right to end this piece without applauding the phenomenal opener, Steve Moakler. Though the crowd may have only known Love Drunk, Suitcase and Riser, I don't expect that to be the case next time around. There's more where that came from... here are a few of my personal Moakler faves -- All The Faint Lights; Damn, Do I Think About You; Steel Town.

Why night's like this go by so quickly, I will never understand. But on the bright side, they're touring so. much. Which means plenty of opportunities to fall even harder for this incredible band (if that's possible).

Yeah, we got the looks

We got the lights

We got the days

We got the nights

Even though it ended

We got it right

#NYCountrified

Let Those Summertime Blues Melt Away

With the end of summertime just around the corner (sigh), this is the perfect time for a little pick-me-up. And anyone who tries to tell you that country music doesn't exist in New York City obviously doesn't know what they're talking about. There's so much to look forward to. And the best part? They're all right. here.

September 14: Willie Nelson & Family with Aaron Lewis @ Coney Island Amphitheater
September 23: Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan @ Gramercy Theatre
September 23: David Nail, Kelsea Ballerini @ Irving Plaza
September 30: Trace Adkins @ The Cutting Room
September 30: Parmalee @ Gramercy Theatre

October 7, 8: Blake Shelton, RaeLynn @ Barclays Center
October 21: Phil Vassar @ City Winery
October 22: Old Dominion, Steve Moakler @ Playstation Theater
October 25: Carrie Underwood, Easton Corbin, The Swon Brothers @ Madison Square Garden

November 4: Brother's Osborne @ Irving Plaza
November 9: Cole Swindell with Jon Langston @ Terminal 5
November 19: Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris @ Barclays Center

December 1: Kip Moore, Jon Pardi @ Terminal 5
December 2: Kelsea Ballerini @ Irving Plaza
December 3: Kane Brown @ Irving Plaza
December 16: Dan + Shay with Walker Hayes @ Playstation Theater

We know there ain't no cure for the summertime blues, but that's quite a lineup. What shows are you headed to? Share below!

Sometimes I wonder what I'm a-gonna do
Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

#NYCountrified

Nights Like This

It probably goes without saying that I have been to more shows than I can count. I have seen some phenomenal artists put on some amazing concerts. I have felt all of the feelings and incurred many (many) days of the post-concert blues, but not one of those shows has ever made me feel the way I do tonight. 

I am inspired. I'm moved. I'm happy. I'm on a high. And I have a fire in me that cannot be put out.

Tonight I got to sit in a bookstore with six of the best songwriters in country music and listen to them play their songs. Walker Hayes, Drake White, Brad Tursi, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Shane McAnally. You might recognize a few of those names if you're into the band, Old Dominion (or maybe you just read my countless blog posts about them), but even if you think you're not familiar with the others, you've most definitely heard their words on the radio.

The writer's round at the Housing Works bookstore tonight allowed each artist to sing four songs, but that just skimmed the surface of all the music they've written. These guys are killing it in Nashville and they gave us some of the stories behind their hits. We heard: Back To Free, Song For Another Time, Follow Your Arrow, Sangria, A Guy Walks Into a Bar, and Lela's Stars (and some really, really, really great new ones), just to name a few. Life, love, memories, dreams, broken hearts, feelings, children, lovers, haters. These guys were not just singing songs they've written, they were singing songs they've lived. And that's what makes all six of them so unbelievably special. 

The chemistry in the room was off-the-charts - you could tell how much they all appreciated each other's music. But man, the back-and-forth banter. I've never laughed and also wanted to cry so much in one night. My face still hurts from how much I was smiling (now I guess I know how Brad feels). Ah guys, it would take a much longer post to truly convey how special this night was - I mean I could go on for days about how incredible Drake White's voice is (just wow). I would take a show like this ANY day over a big concert hall or stadium. This is where memories are made. This is where fans and artists alike all get the chills. This is where writers like Matt Ramsey say "That was my favorite time I've ever played that song." Isn't that what it's all about?

Not many people get to attend as many concerts as I do, and for that I already feel so grateful. I am so lucky. I am so fortunate. But mostly, I am so inspired. Thank God for country music, and for the people who are bold enough to chase their dreams and spend their lives writing it. To whomever takes the time to read this - never, ever, ever stop following your dreams. These guys didn't, and I'm not going to either. Nashville, I'm coming for you.

And if that doesn't inspire you, please read Walker Hayes' story. 

Lots of reason just to give it on up

Leave your soul on the shelf collecting dust

Live in a world of broken promises and empty tanks

Aw, but look at us

#NYCountrified

**All of the profits from the evening go to Housing Works and its efforts to fight AIDS and homelessness.