CMT Debuts ‘Next Women of Country’ Tour With Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini

(L-R): Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini will be on the CMT “Next Women of Country” tour.

CMT today (April 9) announced it’s leaving the guys at home and hitting the road this spring for its inaugural CMT “Next Women of Country” Tour headlined by Jana Kramer, with rising singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. The network’s first-ever ladies-only tour will make 10 stops across the country.

The tour is the latest extension of CMT’s “Next Women” campaign, which launched in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Among the “Next Women” alumnae are Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe. CMT also has a long history of launching artists on the road, having recently capped year 13 of its CMT On Tour, most recently headlined by Kip Moore.

“The ‘Next Women of Country’ campaign seamlessly connects music fans with the rising generation of female country artists,” said Leslie Fram, Sr. VP of Music Strategy for CMT. “With the tour, we’re now able to create zero-distancing between fan and artist and deliver an amazing night of discovery.”

The tour plays May 12 in Nashville at 3rd and Lindsley, with Ballerini, but not Kramer, and special guests from CMT “Next Women of Country.”

Both Kramer and Ballerini are rapidly climbing at country radio with their respective current singles, “I Got The Boy” and “Love Me Like You Mean It.” In its first week out, Kramer’s single “I Got The Boy” from her forthcoming sophomore album was the most-added female at country radio. Ballerini co-wrote her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It” and this week it broke the Top 20.

“My first summer in Nashville, I was 15 and didn’t have a driver’s license yet,” said Ballerini. “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.”

“I am beyond excited to be a part of the first ‘Next Women of Country’ tour,” Kramer noted. “I’m a big advocate for us girls sticking together and encouraging each other. I can’t wait to see everyone on the road!”

CMT “Next Women of Country” Tour:
• April 30, 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI (The Intersection)
• May 1, 2015 – Cincinnati, OH (Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill)
• May 7, 2015 – Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)
• May 8, 2015 – Chicago, IL (Joe’s Sports Bar)
• May 10, 2015 – St. Louis, MO (The Pageant)
• May 12, 2015 – Nashville, TN (3rd and Lindsley)**
• May 14, 2015 – Orlando, FL (Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill)
• May 15, 2015 – Fort Walton Beach, FL (The Swamp)
• May 17, 2015 – Charlotte, NC (The Fillmore Charlotte)
• May 28, 2015 – Myrtle Beach, SC (House of Blues)

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 10 at participating venues.