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In a star-studded night full of excitement, Kelsea Ballerini's stripped-back, intricate performance of 'Leave Me Again' was another highlight of the 2023 CMA Awards.
A song about healing after a breakup and committing to never losing oneself in a relationship again, 'Leave Me Again' closes Ballerini's Rolling Up the Welcome Mat EP, released in February, which was also nominated for the Album of the Year award.
It's been an eventful year for Ballerini to say the least, having not only been at the forefront of country music's ongoings with new music and prime-time performances, but also having her divorce from Morgan Evans under the scrutiny of opposing fanbases.
Her CMA Awards song choice felt pertinent, with Kelsea eschewing the opportunity to perform her current Country Radio single, ‘If You Go Down (I'm Goin’ Down Too)’, in favour of her vulnerable Rolling Up The Welcome Mat ballad.
The decision undoubtedly paid off, with the Tennessee native showcasing her unrivalled ability to navigate the various emotional ebbs and flows of the track with nothing more than an acoustic guitar.
Kelsea Ballerini laced some extra venom into the line, “I hope that you get the house, and the good wife, and the kids”, before concluding on an overwhelmingly positive, jubilant note as she looked up into the spotlight, heartwarmingly symbolising her optimism for the future as she moves on from her divorce.
Other performances at the Awards included a Jelly Roll with 'Need a Favor', Chris Stapleton with 'White Horse', Morgan Wallen and Eric Church with ‘Man Made A Bar’ and many more.
For more on the 2023 CMA Awards, see below:
