Kelsea Ballerini calls “Dibs” on the Top Spot for Both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay Charts

KELSEA BALLERINI CALLS “DIBS” ON SECOND CONSECUTIVE #1 SINGLE AT COUNTRY RADIO

Double ACM Award Nominee is the First Female Solo Artist in 15 Years to Have Consecutive #1's Off of a Debut Single  Photo credit: Brad Lovell – Courtesy of Iconic Entertainment NASHVILLE, TN (February 22, 2016) – Kelsea Ballerini calls “Dibs” on the top spot for both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week. Landing her second consecutive #1 single off of a debut, the two-time ACM Award Nominee – Female Vocalist of the Year and New Female Vocalist of the Year – is one of only five women* - and the first in 15 years - to have achieved this feat. Ballerini follows Jamie O’Neal’s back-to-back #1’s with her debut "There is No Arizona” and subsequent "When I Think About Angels” in 2001. “The other night I was with a bunch of my friends waiting on a phone call that came, at midnight, telling me I had my second number one,” said Ballerini. “I had foils in my hair, I was eating pizza, and it was one of the best moments of my life because in that moment I remembered having girls' nights when I was 12 and 13, playing all my friends songs on the guitar and talking about one day having a song on the radio. It was like a flash forward. I’m so incredibly grateful to Country radio for giving me a voice this early on in my career and supporting not one, but two, singles now like they have. I’m so excited to keep working hard and to hopefully keep making good music.” Ballerini’s debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart on June 22, 2015 and she holds her reign today as the only solo female artist to hit #1 on this chart since then. “It’s amazing to be a part of this history making debut,” said Black River Record’s VP of Promotion Mike Wilson.  “Kelsea’s artistry is amazing, it’s such a pleasure to work with her on a daily basis. She works so hard for her fans and she loves Country radio. We have an amazing staff at BRE that will walk through walls for our roster.” “Dibs” going #1 is a big win for the teams at Black River Publishing and Black River Records. "Humble, hardworking, relentless, grateful,” said Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “And that's only what I think about Kelsea!  Imagine my words about the Black River staff!” Kerr continued, “I'm ‘callin’ dibs’ on an incredible team effort. I’m so thankful for Country radio and all the wonderful people who have worked so hard to make this day happen for Kelsea and BRE!” Written by Kelsea Ballerini, Josh Kerr, Jason Duke and Ryan Griffin, “Dibs” is also the second U.S. #1 for Black River Publishing’s Josh Kerr and is found on Ballerini’s critically-acclaimed debut album, THE FIRST TIME, co-produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey.  For tour dates and more information, visit KelseaBallerini.com. Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. About Kelsea Ballerini Kelsea Ballerini launched to stardom with two consecutive #1 smashes – the GOLD-certified debut "Love Me Like You Mean It” and infectious “Dibs.” Abuzz with shout-outs from superstars Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town, she is the first solo female artist in nine years to hit #1 with her debut country single and one of only 11 women to have ever hit the top of the charts with a debut. Scoring a number of recent high-profile media appearances, the Black River Entertainment recording artist has been named “The Country Sweetheart” in People Magazine’s elite “Ones to Watch” portfolio, touted by Billboard Magazine as “Country’s Next Queen,” praised by Rolling Stone as the “Nashville It Girl” and selected as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country. Co-produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey, THE FIRST TIME landed Top 5 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and released to critical acclaim with Billboard praising, “Her frankness and honesty are rooted in country’s long tradition of storytelling, a tradition that she deftly adapts to both 21st century and timeless concerns.” The talented singer/songwriter wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs on the project. Racking up her first CMT, CMA and AMA award nominations, she received Billboard’s “Rising Star” award at the prestigious 2015 Women In Music event. Gearing up for her first international trek to Australia this March to perform at the Country CMC Rocks Festival, she will join select dates this spring with Billy Currington and Rascal Flatts. Previously, she shared the stage with Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. * Only four other solo females in country music have had their debut country single and follow-up single go #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Jamie O’Neal 2000    There Is No Arizona 2001    When I Think About Angels Deana Carter 1996    Strawberry Wine 1996    We Danced Anyway Faith Hill 1993    Wild One 1994    Piece of My heart Wynonna 1992    She Is His Only Need 1992    I Saw The Light 1992    No One Else On Earth The last male artist to achieve the feat was Sam Hunt, 2014-2015 with “Leave the Night On” and “Take Your Time,” also co-published by Black River Publishing.

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