Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini on CMT Next Women of Country Tour in Nashville

(L-R): CMT’s Leslie Fram, Cam, Kelleigh Bannen, Ruthie Collins, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Brooke Eden and Clare Dunn

CMT’s inaugural Next Women of Country Tour, headlined by Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini, visited Nashville Tuesday night (May 12) for a packed-house performance at 3rd and Lindsley.

The tour is hitting 10 cities across the country this spring. CMT surprised the audience with a special announcement, welcoming four new members to the “Next Women of Country” franchise. Kramer joined Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT, on stage to welcome Brooke Eden, Cam, Clare Dunn and Ruthie Collins to the fold.

CMT introduced its “Next Women” campaign in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Among the Next Women alumnae are Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe.

Photos: Joseph Llanes