When Kelsea Ballerini released Rolling Up The Welcome Mat earlier this year, she had no idea how much the entire project would resonate with her fans. The reaction to the six songs, which Ballerini wrote as a reflection of her divorce from Morgan Evans after five years of marriage, was immediate, and unexpected. Ballerini penned the songs with Alysa Vanderheym, expecting it to have a brief moment before she continued promoting the songs from her 2022 Subject to Change album.
Surprisingly, at least to Ballerini, fans wanted more of the raw, emotional songs from Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, which the Tennessee native has delivered in Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good), out now.
“I thought when Alysa and I were making Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, it was something I would release and never revisit,” says Ballerini. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, and that wasn’t the point of the music. Now, in hindsight and with a full heart, I want all those people who came alongside me and supported this album to know that I will never be able to fully express my gratitude, but (For Good) is my best attempt.”
Ahead of the release of Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good), the Grand Ole Opry member expounded, in a letter shared on social media, about why she was releasing the new project, and the message she wanted fans to take away from the songs on the record.
“It’s most important that I articulate that this re-release is for you and you only,” Ballerini said. “The added outro’s that we ended up scream-singing nightly on tour, the lyric changes along a healing journey, hearing you very loudly explain that the INTERLUDE NEEDS TO BE A FULL SONG KELSEA COME ON. plus, a new song to bring the story more up to date.”
The 29-year-old also asked fans to enjoy the music, without looking too deeply into the storyline about what led to the split between her and Evans.
“With this, comes a favor. from the deepest and purest part of my heart,” Ballerini said. “I ask that you help this be ours and let the music simply be the music, not dig back into the experience that it was written about nearly a year ago. As a songwriter, producer, artist I’m proud and protective of this EP, and as a woman and human also proud and protective of the new, happy season of life I’m in.”
See a track list for Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) below. Find all of Ballerini’s music and tour dates at KelseaBallerini.com.
Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) Track Listing:
“Mountain With A View”
“Just Married”
“Penthouse (Healed Version)”
“Interlude (Full Length)”
“Blindsided (Yeah, Sure, Okay)”
“Leave Me Again”
“How Do I Do This”