Multi-platinum superstar and Grand Ole Opry member to bring her hit-filled show to Wildwood Beach ~ Tickets on sale now!
PRESS RELEASE
WILDWOOD, NJ — Barefoot Country Music Fest (BCMF), the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music celebration, has announced its next superstar headliner for 2026: Kelsea Ballerini. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, trailblazer, and Grand Ole Opry member will bring her chart-topping hits, fresh new music, and signature charm to Wildwood Beach when BCMF returns June 18–21, 2026.
Since making history with her debut album The First Time, Ballerini has become one of country music’s most influential voices. She was the only female country artist to reach No. 1 with the first three consecutive singles from a debut album — earning a GRAMMY® nomination for best new artist. Her catalog includes five albums that have all reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, including the Platinum-certified The First Time, Gold-certified Unapologetically, and Subject to Change, as well as her 2020 companion albums Kelsea and Ballerini.
With seven No. 1 singles, 32 RIAA certifications, and multiple platinum hits such as “Miss Me More,” “Peter Pan,” and “Half of My Hometown” (featuring Kenny Chesney), Ballerini continues to raise the bar for female artists in country music.
A four-time GRAMMY® nominee and two-time ACM and CMA Award winner, Ballerini was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2019 as its youngest member in nearly a century. Her fourth studio album, Subject to Change, produced the gold-certified single “Heartfirst,” earning another GRAMMY® nod for best country solo performance. She followed that with Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, a six-song project that received critical acclaim and a GRAMMY® nomination for best country album, which led to her Saturday Night Live debut — along with a TIME Magazine cover spotlighting her as one of the defining artists of her generation.
Ballerini’s new project, Mount Pleasant, is set to debut Nov. 14 and features six new songs, including the lead single “I Sit in Parks.” The collection marks a new era of storytelling for the multi-platinum artist, blending her signature honesty with a fresh, introspective sound that’s already generating major buzz across the industry.
“Kelsea Ballerini is a GRAMMY-nominated superstar and one of the top female artists in country music,” said Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “Our fans have been asking for this, and we’re excited to see her take the stage at Barefoot next summer.”
Recognized by outlets like USA Today, Billboard, and Rolling Stone as one of the nation’s premier destination festivals, Barefoot Country Music Fest has quickly become a summer tradition, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the U.S. and beyond. With multiple sellouts in its first five years, BCMF continues to deliver unforgettable experiences with a one-of-a-kind oceanfront backdrop.
Ballerini joins previously announced headliners Post Malone and Eric Church, with more superstar artists to be revealed soon.
Tickets for BCMF 2026 are on sale now at https://bcmf.com. The Black Friday Sale will kick off Monday, Nov. 10, lock in your SVIP package for just $199 down — with no payments until February! For the latest updates and exclusive #BCMFHints, fans are encouraged to follow Barefoot Country Music Fest on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
About BCMF:
A four-time GRAMMY® nominee and two-time ACM and CMA Award winner, Ballerini was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2019 as its youngest member in nearly a century. Her fourth studio album, Subject to Change, produced the gold-certified single “Heartfirst,” earning another GRAMMY® nod for best country solo performance. She followed that with Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, a six-song project that received critical acclaim and a GRAMMY® nomination for best country album, which led to her Saturday Night Live debut — along with a TIME Magazine cover spotlighting her as one of the defining artists of her generation.
Ballerini’s new project, Mount Pleasant, is set to debut Nov. 14 and features six new songs, including the lead single “I Sit in Parks.” The collection marks a new era of storytelling for the multi-platinum artist, blending her signature honesty with a fresh, introspective sound that’s already generating major buzz across the industry.
“Kelsea Ballerini is a GRAMMY-nominated superstar and one of the top female artists in country music,” said Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “Our fans have been asking for this, and we’re excited to see her take the stage at Barefoot next summer.”
Recognized by outlets like USA Today, Billboard, and Rolling Stone as one of the nation’s premier destination festivals, Barefoot Country Music Fest has quickly become a summer tradition, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the U.S. and beyond. With multiple sellouts in its first five years, BCMF continues to deliver unforgettable experiences with a one-of-a-kind oceanfront backdrop.
Ballerini joins previously announced headliners Post Malone and Eric Church, with more superstar artists to be revealed soon.
Tickets for BCMF 2026 are on sale now at https://bcmf.com. The Black Friday Sale will kick off Monday, Nov. 10, lock in your SVIP package for just $199 down — with no payments until February! For the latest updates and exclusive #BCMFHints, fans are encouraged to follow Barefoot Country Music Fest on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
About BCMF:
Barefoot Country Music Fest™, (BCMF), the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music fest, is located in Wildwood, NJ, between the famous Morey’s Piers on the beach. BCMF is host to the industry’s biggest stars with 40+ artists slated for June 18-21, 2026, bringing a unique blend of today’s country headliners, regional stars, up-and-comers, and local favorites. With the combination of country music and the scenic Wildwood’s backdrop, this family-friendly, four-day fest is a summer vacation destination.
About Kelsea Ballerini:
About Kelsea Ballerini:
Kelsea Ballerini has consistently made history. With the release of her debut album, The First Time, she became the only female country artist to hit #1 with the first three consecutive singles from a debut album. This history-making feat earned her a “Best New Artist” GRAMMY nomination. She has logged five back-to-back Top 10 entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, including the platinum-selling The First Time (2015), gold-selling Unapologetically (2017), gold-selling kelsea (2020), ballerini (2020) and SUBJECT TO CHANGE (2022). With seven #1 singles and 32 certifications from the RIAA to date, her catalog boasts a string of essential smashes.
Among dozens of accolades thus far, Ballerini has garnered four GRAMMY nominations, won two ACM Awards, picked up two CMA Awards, took home the iHeartRadio Music Awards honor for “Best New Artist,” and received multiple career nominations from the ACM Awards, American Music Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. Ballerini was also inducted as a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2019. At the time, she notably became the Opry’s youngest member in its nearly 100-year history since being founded in 1925.
Expanding her sphere of influence, Ballerini authored her first original book of poetry, Feel Your Way Through (2021), and Dolly Parton tapped her to star in the audiobook of Run, Rose, Run (2022). This same year, the multi-platinum country superstar was named the newest face of CoverGirl. She entered into a multi-year partnership and launched a cosmetic collaboration with the brand in 2023.
Ballerini’s fourth album, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, arrived in 2022. The gold-certified first single, “HEARTFIRST,” earned her a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Solo Performance.” She went on to surprise fans five months later with the release of the intimate six-song Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, which earned her a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Album.” Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, along with an accompanying short film written and directed by Ballerini, marked the multi-platinum star’s most honest work to date and led to her Saturday Night Live debut, universal acclaim from critics, including The New York Times, Variety, Rolling Stone, as well as the honor of gracing the cover of TIME Magazine.
Most recently, Kelsea Ballerini announced her next studio album, PATTERNS, is set to debut on October 25th (Black River). On the album, she enlisted “Best New Artist” GRAMMY nominee Noah Kahan to appear on the tender and beautifully crafted new single “Cowboys Cry Too,” following the pair’s incandescent performance on the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
In addition to her new music, Ballerini currently serves as the face of COVERGIRL and Pantene and announced she is set to serve as Coach on Season 27 of NBC’s The Voice, premiering in Spring 2025.
About Southern Entertainment:
Southern Entertainment is a full-service event and production company. Our unwavering commitment to excellence has led us to produce over 500 events across the United States. We specialize in planning, marketing, and executing a wide range of concerts, festivals, and other live music events with some of the music industry’s biggest stars.
Among dozens of accolades thus far, Ballerini has garnered four GRAMMY nominations, won two ACM Awards, picked up two CMA Awards, took home the iHeartRadio Music Awards honor for “Best New Artist,” and received multiple career nominations from the ACM Awards, American Music Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. Ballerini was also inducted as a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2019. At the time, she notably became the Opry’s youngest member in its nearly 100-year history since being founded in 1925.
Expanding her sphere of influence, Ballerini authored her first original book of poetry, Feel Your Way Through (2021), and Dolly Parton tapped her to star in the audiobook of Run, Rose, Run (2022). This same year, the multi-platinum country superstar was named the newest face of CoverGirl. She entered into a multi-year partnership and launched a cosmetic collaboration with the brand in 2023.
Ballerini’s fourth album, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, arrived in 2022. The gold-certified first single, “HEARTFIRST,” earned her a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Solo Performance.” She went on to surprise fans five months later with the release of the intimate six-song Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, which earned her a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Album.” Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, along with an accompanying short film written and directed by Ballerini, marked the multi-platinum star’s most honest work to date and led to her Saturday Night Live debut, universal acclaim from critics, including The New York Times, Variety, Rolling Stone, as well as the honor of gracing the cover of TIME Magazine.
Most recently, Kelsea Ballerini announced her next studio album, PATTERNS, is set to debut on October 25th (Black River). On the album, she enlisted “Best New Artist” GRAMMY nominee Noah Kahan to appear on the tender and beautifully crafted new single “Cowboys Cry Too,” following the pair’s incandescent performance on the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
In addition to her new music, Ballerini currently serves as the face of COVERGIRL and Pantene and announced she is set to serve as Coach on Season 27 of NBC’s The Voice, premiering in Spring 2025.
About Southern Entertainment:
Southern Entertainment is a full-service event and production company. Our unwavering commitment to excellence has led us to produce over 500 events across the United States. We specialize in planning, marketing, and executing a wide range of concerts, festivals, and other live music events with some of the music industry’s biggest stars.
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