Kelsea Ballerini is kicking off 2018 with the just-announced Unapologetically Tour, which will launch Feb. 8 in Birmingham, Alabama. Ballerini will be joined by Walker Hayes on the dates, which will wrap April 27 at the annual Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA (on-sale now).
“Great things happen when music surrounds you, I really believe that,” shared Ballerini. “One of the coolest things to me about headlining is being able to create a world for your fans to step into. I can’t wait for you to join me on this new journey with my good friend Walker and begin chapter two together!”
Bailey Bryan joins the lineup for one-night-only for the Nashville show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Valentine’s Day. Tickets for the new tour go on sale this Friday, Nov. 3. Special VIP Experiences will be available at each show from CID Entertainment, including a meet & greet with Ballerini, collectible merchandise, an invitation to the ‘Unapologetically’ pre-show experience and early venue entry. VIP packages will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, October 31.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development gifted Kelsea Ballerini with a “platinum record” to commemorate this special event. Pictured (L-R): Fletcher Foster (President/CEO, Iconic Entertainment), Jeremy Holley (Partner at FlyteVu), Whitney Byerly (Account Manager at FlyteVu), Kelsea Ballerini, Brian Wagner (Assistant Commissioner of Marketing, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development), Jason Cooper (Director, Client Relations at VML)
On Saturday night (Oct. 28) the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development teamed up Ballerini for a one-of-a-kind album celebration in her hometown of Knoxville. Fans from 28 states came together to celebrate the release of Ballerini’s upcoming sophomore album, Unapologetically, due out Nov. 3. The special concert experience was part of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Snapchat Concert Series and their ongoing ‘The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” brand campaign.
The event took place at Ballerini’s alma mater, Central High School, the same place where she performed an original song for the first time as a student. Tickets to the album celebration show were offered free through Tennessee Tourism’s Snapchat and sold out in one minute. Following her set, Ballerini returned to the stage with the school’s principal and made a surprise donation of $20,000 to Central High School. The principal then surprised her with the school’s highest honor, the Bobcat Award. She ended the evening with a fitting performance of “High School.”
Prior to the show, Ballerini received a one-of-a-kind “platinum record” from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to commemorate this special celebration show. She also participated in a meet-and-greet with lucky winners and gave them a sneak preview of her new album.
Pictured: Kelsea Ballerini performs for Central High School presented by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development on October 28, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Pictured: Kelsea Ballerini takes photos backstage before performing for Central High School. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Pictured: Kelsea Ballerini, iHeart Radio and The ACM’s donate money to Central High School during her concert. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
About the Author
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
