Born in Tennessee, Kelsea Ballerini began writing songs as a child before signing with Black River Entertainment in her early twenties. Her debut album The First Time quickly made history, producing multiple No.1 hits including "Love Me Like You Mean It," and establishing her as the first female country artist in years to send her first three singles straight to the top of the charts - drawing early comparisons to trailblazers like Carrie Underwood.