Kelsea Ballerini Has a New Role on the Hawk

Kelsea Ballerini may best be known to Hawk listeners for her hits 'Love Me Like You Mean It' and 'Dibs,' but Kelsea will take on a new role this weekend as radio host on Country Countdown USA, Sunday night 7-10pm on the Hawk. Kelsea makes her co-hosting debut this weekend!

Imagine growing up idolizing a couple of famous country stars, and then just a few years later, having both of them as friends. That's the story Kelsea Ballerini tells Lon Helton this weekend on the show.

She says, "It's funny, my first CMA Fest, I waited in line to meet two people: Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, but for me, I loved Hillary. And those are two people who are like my big sisters now, which is cool. Hillary has kind of mentored me in a big sister way. She's awesome. She even threw me a surprise birthday party."

Taylor Swift is Kelsea's other "big sister." Kelsea made a special appearance during one of Taylor's Nashville shows last fall. Kelsea said, "She brought me on stage to sing 'Love Me Like You Mean It,' which "was out of this world, the coolest thing I've ever got to do."

Another childhood dream come true is touring this summer with Rascal Flatts. "I went to see their shows. I have a picture of me with them at a meet & greet years ago. When we get closer to the tour, I'll post the picture of me with them. But they've been so nice to me and so welcoming, and that's a really cool feeling, cause I went to their shows. It's a big deal, I'm really stoked about it!"

We had a surprise for Kelsea. When Blake Shelton was our co-host, he told Lon that he had seen Kelsea on Access Hollywood saying she thought Blake was more of a father figure than a sex symbol. Kelsea's response: "I meant that in the most loving way. Sorry Blake! I remember saying that in the interview and being like, oh man, I know that's gonna be a thing."

By the way, Rich Birdsall will have FREE concert tickets to give away to that Rascal Flatts/ Kelsea Ballerini concert in Syracuse.  Listen to win all next week on the Hawk!

Kelsea also has great stories this week about Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch, Dierks Bentley, and Maddie & Tae.

Listen for Kelsea's co-hosting debut Sunday night 7-10pm on 98.1 The Hawk and don't forget to download the FREE Hawk listening app Radio Pup right HERE or in the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores.