Often referred to as “country with an edge”, 17-year-old Kelsea Ballerini packs a lot of life experience into her music – writing and performing songs like “I’m Comin’ Alive”, “Fireworks in the Rain” and “Learn How to Fly” — songs that appeal to all ages and walks of life.
Kelsea has always had an innate love for music and sang her first solo “Amazing Grace” at a family reunion at the age of 3. She began writing songs at age 13 and finds her real passion is in the combination of the two – writing and performing. “I went through a really challenging time in my life when I was 13 and began to journal. My journaling turned into poems and the poems into songs. Really, it is just the way I deal with things — good and bad. When I’m super happy, I write a song. When I’m heartbroken, I’ll write a million songs. I’ve never written something just to say I have a new song, or to meet a deadline. I only write when I have something worth writing about and can truly mean every word when I sing it,” says Kelsea who has written more than 150 songs in the past four years.
Kelsea and her mom moved to Nashville in June 2009 where she immediately started immersing herself into the music industry. Now a high school senior and honor student in Franklin, Tennessee, Kelsea is involved in school and church activities. But her real passion for music dominates most of Kelsea’s free time — writing or co-writing new songs, blogging with fans, performing around town, or recording in the studio. “I think it’s important to love every aspect of music: writing, recording, meeting, connecting, working, performing. You should feel happy when you are doing any of it,” she adds.
“There is nothing I like more than singing my songs and watching people react –- either tapping their toes, singing along, or getting a little teary-eyed. There is amazing power in music -– I believe that because it moves me all the time. If I can move people with my music, I’m a happy camper” she adds.
There are many exciting things coming up for Kelsea. She is being featured as a new and upcoming songwriter in a television documentary on the Nashville songwriting community to be released in 2011, and is working on a full album for early 2011 release. “I know I’m blessed to have these opportunities. There are so many awesome things coming up. I hope people enjoy it all, I know i’m enjoying it. I also hope I don’t fall on stage, or stutter in an interview. That’s never good.” Keep checking in for more news and updates on Kelsea and her journey.