Kelsea Ballerini Sets Records As Debut Single Tops Chart

There may still be debates about tomatoes and lettuce going on but for Black River Entertainment and Kelsea Ballerini, it’s a tomato salad as the singer has become the first solo female artist on a truly independent label to hit #1 with their first single. The single is also Black River Entertainment’s first #1 single as a record label after being founded in 2008 (and flirting with the Top 20 on a handful of Craig Morgan songs prior to this single).

Ballerini is only the 11th female artist to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with her debut single:

• 2015 - Kelsea Ballerini "Love Me Like You Mean It"
• 2006 - Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take The Wheel” *
• 2004 - Gretchen Wilson “Redneck Woman"
• 2001 - Jamie O’Neal "There is No Arizona"
• 2001 - Cyndi Thomson “What I Really Meant To Say"
• 1996 - Deana Carter “Strawberry Wine"
• 1993 - Faith Hill “Wild One”
• 1992 - Wynonna “She Is His Only Need”
• 1990 - Trisha Yearwood “She’s In Love With The Boy"
• 1973 - Marie Osmond “Paper Roses”
• 1964 - Connie Smith “Once A Day”

* Underwood’s debut single and #1 POP Hit “Inside Your Heaven,” was not released to country radio, but peaked at #52 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart.

“Going into this, my goal with this first single was to introduce myself,” said Ballerini. “I believed in this song from the minute we wrote it and I always thought it would be the right first single and a great introduction of me. But there’s a fear that comes with that, because it’s the first impression with radio, with fans and with media. It’s so cool to know that the peace that I had when I wrote this song and picked it as the single has led me all the way to it being a #1. To be in a group with artists like Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Deana Carter that have had debut #1s and then had brilliant careers after that, makes me so excited for what’s to come. Today, I just want to celebrate with my team because it’s a big victory for all of us, we’ve all worked really hard. Thank you Country Radio for making this HUGE milestone happen and making one of my biggest dreams come true.”

Ballerini wrote the song with Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead and Lance Carpenter and no doubt they’ll be celebrating the single’s success with a #1 party that’ll be well-attended by media and the industry at large for the historic event.

“It's a very exciting time for all of us at Black River,” said Vice President of Promotion Mike Wilson. “It’s an honor to lead this promotion team in taking Kelsea to country radio. Her music is great and radio has really embraced her. I’m so proud of our team and all of their efforts. This is a huge accomplishment!”

“Love Me Like You Mean It” can be found on Ballerini’s debut album The First Time, an album which was issued last year.