Saying that Kelsea Ballerini’s career is taking off, at this moment, is an understatement. Kelsea’s career is, in fact, soaring, as she celebrated her history-making third consecutive No. 1 hit, “Peter Pan,” on Wednesday night (Oct. 12) at an airport hangar in Nashville.
In February, Kelsea became one of only five women to notch No. 1s with their first two charted titles, joining Jamie O’Neal, Deana Carter, Faith Hill and Wynonna in the club. With “Peter Pan” reaching the No. 1 spot, Kelsea is now in the exclusive company of Wynonna, who is the only other female whose first three singles from a solo debut album reached No. 1. Wynonna also enjoyed an eight-year career as one-half of the super-hot duo The Judds before releasing her debut project in 1992.
With the airplane theme in full force, Kelsea had more than one reason to celebrate. During the evening’s presentations, Gordon Kerr, president of Black River Entertainment, announced that Kelsea’s debut album, The First Time, had been certified gold for selling 500,000 copies—a rare feat in today’s country music climate.
Kelsea took the stage with “Peter Pan” co-writers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee and thanked her family and friends and those who have supported her throughout her career.
“Thank you to my entire team—you guys work harder than anyone I know,” Kelsea said. “I hope I say thank you enough, but if I don’t, thank you. Thank you for listening to my music. You guys that are here, thank you for writing about it or playing it or whatever you do. You have made the last two years of my life like . . . crazy. I mean, I can’t even explain it. I’m very thankful and I promise to always work really heard and I hope to always make you proud.”
After the speeches were through, Kelsea, her co-writers and band members hit the stage to perform the song we were all there to celebrate, “Peter Pan,” and her current single, “Yeah Boy,” which was released to radio this week.
Check out the clip of Kelsea singing “Yeah Boy.”
