Features
Jana Kramer & Kelsea Ballerini: Next Women Of Country
The road trip, which marks the network’s first-ever ladies-only excursion, includes stops in Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Orlando and Myrtle Beach.
The tour is a continuation of CMT’s Next Women of Country campaign which began in 2013 to help bring attention and airplay to emerging country artists.
“I am beyond excited to be a part of the first Next Women of Country tour,” Kramer said. “I’m a big advocate for us girls sticking together and encouraging each other. I can’t wait to see everyone on the road!”
Kramer is gearing up to release the follow-up to her 2012 self-titled debut. In November she revealed to Rolling Stone that the upcoming LP will feature a duet called “Bullet” that she recorded with Steven Tyler, who just so happens to be working on his own solo country album. Her latest single is “I Got The Boy,” which was the most-added track at country radio by a solo female artist during its first week.
Ballerni will release her debut studio album, The First Time, on May 19. For now you can turn on your favorite country station to hear her single “Love Me Like You Mean It.” The tune just hit the Top 20 on the country airplay chart.
“My first summer in Nashville, I was 15 and didn’t have a driver’s license yet,” Ballerini added. “So I spent it at home, writing songs and watching music videos on CMT. That was a way I knew I could learn and feel like I was growing. Since then, it’s always been a dream of mine to have a music video on CMT. To now have that and for me to be part of the CMT Next Women of Country tour is a huge honor.”
Here’s the routing for the tour:
April 30 – Grand Rapids, Mich., The Intersection
May 1 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
May 7 – Cleveland, Ohio, House Of Blues
May 8 – Chicago, Ill., Joe’s Bar
May 10 – St. Louis, Mo., The Pageant
May 12 – Nashville, Tenn., 3rd & Lindsley
May 14 – Orlando, Fla., Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar
May 15 – Fort Walton Beach, Fla., The Swamp
May 17 – Charlotte, N.C., Fillmore Charlotte
May 28 – North Myrtle Beach, S.C., House Of Blues
Kramer does not appear May 12. This show will feature special guests from Next Women Of Country.
Visit JanaKramer.com and KelseaBallerini.com for more information.