KELSEA BALLERINI GIVES BACK WITH NASHVILLE SONGWRITING GREATS AT LEGENDARY BLUEBIRD CAFE LAST NIGHT (8/17)

Flying high after her Top 5 and soaring stunner “Peter Pan” was certified GOLD, Black River Entertainment’s Kelsea Ballerini took a sweet moment to give back last night (8/17) while hosting a “pop up” benefit at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe.

Ballerini thrilled her sold-out crowd with a night full of surprises including stellar featured guests Dave Barnes, Luke Laird, and Ingrid Michaelson for the full round, with local tunesmith Trent Dabbs and young country music newcomer Tegan Marie joining for a song each. Praised for her hit songwriting credit on all 12 songs on her critically acclaimed debut album THE FIRST TIME, the intimacy of “In The Round with Kelsea Ballerini & Friends” was pure magic, as Ballerini also shared the spotlight for a song with two Nashville School of the Arts students, Amelia Eisenhauer and Tristan McIntosh. Finalists Eisenhauer (Top 24) and McIntosh (Top 6) are both American Idol season 15 alums. 

“I discovered my love for performing through my music program in high school and know the impact of discovering your passion through initiatives like Music Makes Us,” Ballerini admits. “I was so excited to help raise awareness for music in schools alongside my friends Ingrid Michaelson, Dave Barnes, Luke Laird, and Trent Dabbs. They all have a passion for music education so it made perfect sense for us to join forces!”  

All proceeds of the unforgettable event are being donated to Music Makes Us, a program spearheaded by Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Mayor’s office, the music industry and community leaders, which is aiming to become a model for strengthening music education around the country. In addition, the  Bluebird Cafe auctioned a guitar signed by all of the unbelievable talent which garnered $2,100, bringing the total donation to more than $5,000 for Music Makes Us.

Ballerini’s exciting week continues as she’ll perform on Good Morning America’s 2016 Summer Concert Series tomorrow (8/19). Good Morning America airs weekdays on ABC at 7 a.m. (ET/PT).

About Kelsea Ballerini:

Kelsea Ballerini launched to stardom with two consecutive #1 smashes – PLATINUM-selling "Love Me Like You Mean It” and GOLD-certified follow-up “Dibs” – from her critically acclaimed debut album THE FIRST TIME. The Black River Entertainment recording artist is the first solo female artist in 15 years to hit #1 with her first two country singles and one of only 11 women to have ever hit the top of the charts with a debut. Abuzz with high-profile media looks, she 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 recently wrapped co-hosting alongside Arsenio Hall on ABC’s summer replacement series Greatest Hits. The talented singer/songwriter’s credit is featured on all 12 songs on her debut, including current GOLD-certified, Top 5-and-climbing hit single “Peter Pan.” Awarded Billboard’s “Rising Star” honor at the prestigious 2015 Women In Music event, Ballerini continues to rack up the accolades earning 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. Having shared the stage with Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, Ballerini performed at the Country CMC Rocks Festival in Australia and is currently on Rascal Flatts' nationwide RHYTHM & ROOTS Tour. 

About Music Makes Us:

A joint effort of Metro Nashville Public Schools, Mayor Megan Barry and music industry and community leaders, the Music Makes Us® initiative is a national model for music education. With a focus on music literacy and student participation, Music Makes Us is strengthening traditional school music while adding a contemporary curriculum that embraces new technologies and reflects our diverse student population.

For more information, please visit http://musicmakesus.org. 

For tour dates and more information, visit KelseaBallerini.com. Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.