Kelsea Ballerini on hosting the 2022 CMT Music Awards: 'I'm still a country music fangirl'

When you see Kelsea Ballerini on stage alongside co-host Anthony Mackie on Monday at the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Music City's Municipal Auditorium, understand that the self-described "country music fangirl," who was once a faithful voter for the fan-chosen CMT Music Awards, is living her best life.

"Country music's all I've known; it's the biggest thing in the world to me," Ballerini said.

Ultimately, the reason for tuning in for the program airing live from Nashville — , from 811:00 p.m. for its inaugural broadcast on CBS Television Networks and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+ — is relatively simple for Ballerini.

"Accolades are amazing, but shows like these celebrate the music that the fans really do love the most."

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Ballerini notes her return to the CMT Music Awards stage tells about the state of country music and live events in general.

"Last year [was notable] because one of the first times [as an industry] back in an arena setting in front of people was pretty jarring. [Last year's co-host] Kane Brown and I had found a few pockets of shows to play in front of crowds before that, but it was still a shock to the system. But we have a year under our belts now, so it should be a little more warm and fuzzy this year," she says.

Eight years into her mainstream career and 2022's CMT Music Awards finds Ballerini —a year after winning her first award-nominated for two separate singles that had simultaneous runs on country radio: chart-topping Kenny Chesney duet "half of my hometown," plus LANY and Paul Klein collaboration "I Quit Drinking." The latter was debuted in the 2021 CMT Music Awards program.

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"Having two hit singles last year taught me that maybe, in this current industry climate, more is more. I love LANY and Paul, and the collaboration with Kenny was a dream opportunity. Now, if you have the music, it doesn't make sense to hold it close to your chest."

2022's program also involves Ballerini performing (one of 17 performances scheduled for the event) "Heartfirst," a new single. Regarding debuting the new track, the country hitmaker is noticeably excited.

"Yes! I love to zigzag with my singles, so while 'half of my hometown' was a storytelling ballad, this one is a bop, baby!" She describes the song as a "breezy, 90s inspired one that'll make you want to roll your windows down." Moreover, she notes that fans can expect more songs like it on her forthcoming album, on which she is currently working.

When asked to share an anecdote about the importance of The Judds — who are pairing for the first time at an awards show in two decades — she offers a hilarious tale hearkening back to her roots as a mainstream country performer.

As a 15-year old fan of country music aspiring to create a career in the genre, Kelsea Ballerini moved to Nashville and was advised of one rule: "if you see a famous country music singer in the wild, you don't go up to them." However, when Ballerini, ever a fan of country music, saw 2022 CMT Music Awards performer Wynonna Judd at the mall, she broke that rule. She hopes that on Monday night, Judd doesn't remember the encounter.

"I saw her, said to myself, 'that is Wynonna freaking Judd,' and immediately took a picture with her. She was lovely about it then, and I hope she doesn't say, 'oh my god, it's you again,' if I see her on the carpet."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kelsea Ballerini hosting 2022 CMT Music Awards