More Than A Decade Since A Female Country Artist’s Debut Singles
From First And Second Albums Go No. 1
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini celebrates her fourth No. 1 single at Country radio as “Legends” claims the top spot on both the Mediabase Country and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week.
It’s been eleven years since a female Country artist’s debut singles from both of her first and second albums have reached No. 1 on Billlboard’s Country Airplay chart; Carrie Underwood achieved this feat in 2007.
“I can’t believe ‘Legends’ is my fourth #1!” says Ballerini. “Country radio. Fans. Co-Writers. Band. Crew. Team. All I can say is THANK YOU. As one of the first songs I wrote for Unapologetically, the song really captures my journey of loss, life, love, and truly is the heartbeat of this record. Seeing radio embrace this story has meant the world to me.”
Written by Ballerini, Forest Glen Whitehead and Hillary Lindsey, “Legends” was produced by Whitehead and Jason Massey and is the lead single from her sophomore album, Unapologetically. It follows Ballerini’s history-making debut, GOLD-certified The First Time, which yielded three PLATINUM-certified No. 1 singles – “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” and “Peter Pan” – and the GOLD-certified hit “Yeah Boy.”
“We are incredibly proud of Kelsea and the amazing efforts that have gone into this single,” says Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “From the writers of the song, to Black River’s promotion staff and the support of Country radio, this has been one for the record books!”
Adding to Kerr’s enthusiasm, Black River Records’ EVP Rick Froio adds, “Congratulations to Kelsea on her amazing song. Also, to our number one promotion staff, who fought and clawed every step of the way to achieve this great accomplishment – congratulations! We are very proud of our team.”
Following the Gold Record Label of the Year award presented to Black River Entertainment at this year’s Country Aircheck Awards, Black River’s SVP of Radio Promotion Mike Wilson is especially celebratory this week. “This promo team has worked so hard and so passionately to push ‘Legends’ to No. 1. We couldn’t have done this without Country radio and all of their support throughout the life of this single. It is an honor to be a part of a history-making team. This is a sweet win!”
This marks the fourth No. 1 that Black River Records and Black River Publishing share with Kelsea Ballerini on the Mediabase Country and Billboard Country Airplay charts.
Ballerini’s headlining UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR continues through April ending in Santa Barbara, CA, with some additional stops along the way including Rodeo Houston, C2C, CMC Rocks and Stagecoach. Tickets in select markets are still available as shows continue to sell out. This summer, Ballerini will join Keith Urban on his GRAFFITI U WORLD TOUR 2018.
For more information on KELSEA BALLERINI and VIP Experiences for THE UNAPOLOGETICALLY TOUR, visit KelseaBallerini.com and reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans can also follow along the tour with #KB2TOUR.