Categories: Music News

Kelsea Ballerini Also Goes #1 on Billboard Country Airplay; First Solo Female Since Carrie

Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It” will not be forced to settle for only one of the major country radio crowns.

In addition to claiming the top spot on the latest Mediabase country radio singles chart, Ballerini’s debut single also ascends to #1 on Billboard’s corresponding, audience-driven Country Airplay chart. Not since Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” has a solo female artist’s single topped either country chart.

Viewed through the lens of solo female artists, Ballerini’s ascent on the Billboard chart is even more impressive.

While interim songs like Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic,” Carrie Underwood’s “See You Again” and Carrie Underwood’s “Two Black Cadillacs” reached the top spot on the Mediabase chart, no solo female record since Underwood’s 2012 “Blown Away” has topped Billboard.

In reaching #1, “Love Me Like You Mean It” therefore achieved what a handful of songs from heavy hitters like Lambert, Underwood and Taylor Swift, let alone new female artists, were unable to achieve.

Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.

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Brian Cantor