Just before a scheduled performance, the singer received a call that would change her life…
Known as one of the most successful rising country stars, Kelsea Ballerini has already kicked off her career with an impressive record-breaking streak, skyrocketing her first three singles to No. 1 – all of them from her debut album.
Sadly, the young singer suffered a devastating loss just hours before she was set to take the stage at the CMT Artist of the Year celebration, and she expressed her sorrow during a speech at the ceremony.
“My granddad passed away this afternoon,” she said after accepting the CMT Breakout Artist award. “So this is for you.”
In addition to those sentiments, she posted a beautiful photo of her as a child alongside her beloved grandfather with a very strong caption, expressing her love for him and heartbreak over losing him.
“It was an emotional day yesterday losing my grandpa,” she writes in the caption. “But an honor to stand on stage with his last name and do what I love knowing he had the best seat in the house.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kelsea Ballerini and her family during this difficult time.
Watch her video below for “The First Time”.