Kelsea Ballerini Biography & Career Highlights
With the release of her debut album, The First Time, Kelsea Ballerini hit number one with her first three singles. This history-making feat helped earn her a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. She has logged five back-to-back Top 10 entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. In 2019, she was inducted as a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry.
Expanding her influence, Kelsea Ballerini authored her first original book of poetry, Feel Your Way Through in 2021. The following year, Dolly Parton tapped her to star in the audiobook of Run, Rose, Run.
This same year, the multi-platinum country superstar was named the newest face of CoverGirl. She entered into a multi-year partnership and launched a cosmetic collaboration with the brand in 2023.
Kelsea Ballerini Radio Singles and Albums
Kelsea Ballerini has released multiple radio singles that reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart since her 2014 debut.
2014
Love Me Like You Mean It (from The First Time)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2015
The First Time (Album)
No. 4 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
Dibs (from The First Time)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2016
Peter Pan (from The First Time)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum (2 million units)
Yeah Boy (from The First Time)
No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2017
Unapologetically (Album)
No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
Legends (from Unapologetically)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
2018
I Hate Love Songs (from Unapologetically)
No. 25 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
Miss Me More (from Unapologetically)
No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
No. 17 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 3× Platinum (3 million units)
This Feeling (The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini)
No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic chart
No. 9 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart
No. 15 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum (2 million units)
2019
Homecoming Queen? (from Kelsea)
No. 17 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2020
Kelsea (Album)
No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
Ballerini (Album)
No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
The Other Girl featuring Halsey (from Kelsea)
No. 52 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
No. 17 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
Hole In The Bottle (from Kelsea)
No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2021
Half Of My Hometown featuring Kenny Chesney (from Kelsea)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum (2 million units)
I Quit Drinking featuring LANY (Single)
No. 19 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart
RIAA certification: 1× Platinum (1 million units)
2022
Subject To Change (Album)
No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
Heartfirst (from Subject To Change)
No. 22 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
If You Go Down (I’m Going Down Too) (from Subject To Change)
No. 17 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
2023
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (EP)
No. 11 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
Blindsided (from Rolling Up the Welcome Mat)
No. 40 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
2024
Patterns (Album)
No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
Cowboys Cry Too featuring Noah Kahn (from Patterns)
No. 24 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
2025
Mount Pleasant (EP)
No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Album chart
Baggage (from Patterns)
No. 33 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
RIAA certification: Gold (500,000 units)
I Sit In Parks (from Mount Pleasant)
How many albums and singles has Kelsea Ballerini sold?
Kelsea Ballerini has sold more than 2 million albums in the United States. As of 2026, her singles have earned over 20.5 million RIAA-certified units.
In addition to the certified hits listed in her discography above, several other songs have also received RIAA certifications:
“Penthouse” – Gold (500,000 units)
“Mountain with a View” – Gold (500,000 units)
“Better Luck Next Time” – Gold (500,000 units)
Kelsea Ballerini Awards and Nominations
Kelsea Ballerini has earned multiple nominations and wins from the Grammy Awards, Country Music Association (CMA), and Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Grammy Awards
Nominations:
Best Contemporary Country Album - Patterns (2025)
Best Country Group/Duo – “Cowboys Cry Too with Noah Kahan” (2024)
Best Country Album
Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (2023)
Unapologetically (2018)
Best Country Solo Performance - “Heartfirst” (2022)
Best New Artist (2017)
Country Music Association (CMA)
Wins:
Music Video of the Year - “Half of My Hometown” with Kenny Chesney (2021)
Musical Event of the Year - “Half of My Hometown” with Kenny Chesney (2021)
Nominations:
Female Vocalist of the Year (2015-2019, 2023-2025)
New Artist of the Year (2015-2016)
Single of the Year - “Half of My Hometown” with Kenny Chesney (2021)
Album of the Year - Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (2023)
Musical Event of the Year - “Cowboys Cry Too” with Noah Kahan (2024)
Academy of Country Music (ACM)
Wins:
Gene Weed Milestone Award (2016)
New Female Vocalist of the Year (2016)
Nominations:
Entertainer of the Year (2024)
Female Artist of the Year (2015-2017, 2019-2020, 2022-2024)
Music Event of the Year
“Cowboys Cry Too” with Noah Kahn (2024)
“Half of My Hometown” with Kenny Chesney (2021)
Album of the Year - Rolling Up the Welcome Mat For Good (2023)
Visual Media of the Year - “Heartfirst” (2022)
Video of the Year
“Legends” (2017)
“Peter Pan” (2016)
As of 2026, Kelsea Ballerini has earned two CMA Awards and two ACM Awards, along with 15 CMA nominations, 15 ACM nominations, and 6 Grammy nominations.
Articles & Coverage on Across The Country with Amanda
Here’s all of our coverage of Kelsea Ballerini:
2026 Grammy Awards Country Music Guide: Nominees, Performers, & How To Watch
Opry 100: A Live Celebration Re-Airs September 15