Kelsea Ballerini was inducted this week as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It is so nice and comforting to know that no matter where life takes me, and if radio stops playing me tomorrow, that I can always come here and I can always play country music,” the country star said after Carrie Underwood welcomed her into the fold.
“Grand Ole Opry, thanks for seeing something in me and for believing that I’ll always love you like I do because I do, and I will.”
The 25-year-old is now the youngest current member of the Opry and the first female artist added since Crystal Gayle in 2017.
“I know I'm a new artist and just the fact that you have taken me under your wings so early on, it means the world to me,” said an emotional Ballerini, “and honestly makes me want to be a better artist and write better songs and be the best artist I can be to represent not only myself and the amazing people in this room that are my team and my family, but also the Grand Ole Opry.”
Ballerini performed three of her songs at the induction ceremony and then teamed up with Underwood to do Trisha Yearwood’s ‘Walkaway Joe.”
Ballerini is set to perform Aug. 10 in Moncton, New Brunswick with Luke Bryan.