Is country singer Kelsea Ballerini the next Taylor Swift? Swift seems to think so. She’s given the up-and-coming artist a ringing endorsement. Ballerini appears to be living up to expectations too. “Love Me Like You Mean It,” the sassy single from her forthcoming album, The First Time, is getting major radio airplay and has become a fan favorite as she often closes her set with the tune. She came through town last night to play House of Blues with singer Jana Kramer on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour. We spoke with her backstage before the show.

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This article appears in May 6-12, 2015.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.