Kelsea Ballerini Renews With Black River Entertainment
Pictured (L-R): Sandbox Entertainment Group’s Jason Owen; Kelsea Ballerini; and Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr and Rick Froio. Photo: Robby Klein
Over a decade since the independent label launched her career in 2013, Kelsea Ballerini has renewed her recording contract with Black River Entertainment.
Since signing with the company, Ballerini has notched seven No. 1 singles, earned 32 RIAA certifications, logged five back-to-back top 10 entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It is with great pleasure and true excitement that Black River continues to partner with Kelsea as well as Jason Owen,” saya Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr. “I find myself constantly blown away by Kelsea’s artistic vision and musical excellence. And to know Jason as my friend and brother in music is nothing short of humbling and electrifying all at the same time. What a team we make, what history we write, what a story we tell!”
“Over the past few years, Gordon has become a dear friend to me and he and the Black River team remain the best partners to Kelsea and Sandbox for so many reasons,” says Owen, Sandbox Entertainment Group Founder and CEO. “Black River isn’t afraid to take risks, always leaning in with us on ideas that challenge the status quo, including with this groundbreaking recording agreement that rightfully honors Kelsea’s art and her impact in the marketplace.”
Ballerini, a two-time ACM Award and CMA Award winner, has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including at the most recent ceremony where she was nominated for Best Country Album with her blockbuster Rolling Up The Welcome Mat project. The release of her deeply personal album and accompanying short film in 2023 led Ballerini to her Saturday Night Live debut, universal acclaim from critics and the honor of gracing the cover of TIME Magazine’s TIME100 Next issue.
The star shares, “Black River has always handled my music with the utmost care since signing with them over a decade ago. They’ve never wavered in respecting my vision as an artist, offering me the freedom to be creative and push boundaries. We share our wins and successes like a family, and our renewed agreement reflects just that.”
