Kelsea Ballerini unveiled a vulnerable perspective on opening herself up to falling in love again after divorce. “First Rodeo,” the latest ballad to release from Ballerini’s fifth studio album, made its debut on Wednesday (October 16), with its music video following hours later.

Ballerini wrote “First Rodeo” with Alysa Vanderheym, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Jo Dillon and Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild. The love song captures the singer’s cautiousness and carefulness entering a new relationship after her former one ended with both of them having “our guns to sling” at one another. The song arrives after Ballerini's divorce in 2022, ending nearly five years of marriage, and after finding a new romance with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes. Ballerini slid into Stokes' DMs in December 2022, and confirmed their new relationship in February 2023. Since then, they've often shared sweet moments with one another on social media. Ballerini said as she celebrated her one-year anniversary with Stokes, “thanks for making me write love songs. 🤍”

“I rode off into the sunset/ The red dust hadn’t been kicked up yet/ Thought I knew all of the ropes/ Thought I could ride like a pro/ Never knew I’d have a round two/ I fell off, babe, but I found you/ Take my heart, but take it slow/ ‘Cause this ain’t my first rodeo”

“First Rodeo” is the fourth and final track to release from Ballerini’s upcoming album, Patterns, before the full project arrives on October 25. It follows “Cowboys Cry Too” with Noah Kahan, “Sorry Mom” and “Two Things.” Ballerini has since shared sneak peeks of other unreleased tracks from Patterns, including “Wait!,” “Baggage,” “Deep” and others.

Patterns
Sorry Mom
Baggage
First Rodeo
Nothing Really Matters
How Much Do You Love Me
Two Things
We Broke Up
Wait!
Beg For Your Love
Deep
Cowboys Cry Too, with Noah Kahan
I Would, Would You
This Time Last Year
Did You Make It Home? (Outro)

Ballerini will celebrate Patterns with an album release show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The sold-out, “one night only” show also includes sister duos Aly & AJ and Tigirlily Gold. Though the album release show is sold out, iHeartRadio is holding a contest to attend the concert and catch up with Ballerini in a backstage meet and greet. To enter to win, head over to the free iHeartRadio app, or click HERE for more info.

“The whole time I was making this album, I was visualizing and dreamscaping ways to bring it to life for our live show, and it was something I couldn't wait more than five days after its release to do,” Ballerini said in a statement. “When good things happen, when new chapters begin, you want to share them with your people. This time around, it just so happens to be in a bucket list venue in the heart of a city that is landmarked heavily in the music and visuals of PATTERNS. I'm so giddy to be celebrating this album release at Madison Square Garden...see you in New York City!”

Corey Calhoun