Kelsea Ballerini is enthusiastically discussing her profound relationship with Noah Kahan following their heartfelt performance at CMA Fest. She expresses her admiration and appreciation for her friend and musical collaborator, highlighting the depth of their connection beyond just their professional ties.

In a revealing interview with People, Kelsea Ballerini expressed how her friendship with the talented Stick Season artist, Noah Kahan, has flourished beyond their musical collaborations. “I have a deep affection for Noah,” she shared. “I initially connected with him as a fellow artist and collaborator, but over time, we have become dear friends. I truly can’t emphasize enough how wonderful of a person he is. He exemplifies what it means to be a good human being.”

The two talented artists graced the main stage at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium during the highly anticipated CMA Fest 2025, where they performed their 2024 duet “Cowboys Cry Too” alongside Kahan’s breakout anthem “Stick Season.” This performance captivated the audience and showcased their remarkable chemistry as performers.

Ballerini reminisced about reaching out to Kahan just a few days prior to the performance. “I texted him, saying, ‘I’m sure the response will be that you want to hibernate right now, but just in case, do you want to join me at CMA Fest?’” His reply was enlightening: “‘I’ve never experienced CMA Fest. I’ve never performed in a stadium.’ I promptly reminded him, ‘Didn’t you headline Fenway?’ To which he replied, ‘Yes, but this is a proper football stadium.’”

Kelsea recounted how Kahan agreed to join her at the very last minute. Despite her set being cut short because of rain, she insisted on performing “Stick Season” with him, saying, “You made the trek down here with your friends and family, so we must perform ‘Stick Season.’” Her determination to include him in the performance demonstrated their strong bond and commitment to their music.

“[Noah] is truly a delight to share the stage with,” Ballerini expressed. “He possesses that refreshing ‘I’m just grateful to be here’ attitude, which I genuinely appreciate.” This positivity enhances their collaborative efforts and creates a memorable experience for fans.

The duo initially collaborated on “Cowboys Cry Too,” which was released in April 2024, and Ballerini has previously described this project as a significant career milestone. “Thank you @noahkahanmusic for infusing your candid insights and songwriting excellence into this track,” she expressed at the time. “I couldn’t be prouder to release this music and its meaningful message alongside such a talented artist and cherished friend.”

Both Ballerini and Kahan have experienced incredibly busy years recently. Kahan’s Stick Season (Forever) reissue impressively debuted within the top five of the Billboard 200 in February, while Ballerini made her return to the main stage at CMA Fest and is now proudly representing the energy drink Celsius, which she affectionately refers to as “Kelsius.” This partnership highlights her growing influence in the industry and her ability to connect with fans.