Country sweetheart, Kelsea Ballerini's cover of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac is enchanting listeners -- and going viral. Filmed around a campfire, Ballerini's take is a down-home twist on Fleetwood Mac's familiar rock lyrics. And this sweet footage of Ballerini, under the stars, is more than just a cool music video. It's a part of the CMT Campfire Sessions: an ongoing summer series that highlights some of the biggest names in country music.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The 'CMT Campfire Sessions'
Last January, CMT debuted an original digital series, CMT Campfire Sessions. The intimate, fireside concerts featured popular country singers and gained a following online. So in June, CMT kicked off a televised version of the project. Of the venture, the CMT Executive Producer Margaret Comeaux said: "It was an incredible feeling to have our Production team back together on-set and get to witness the magic of live music - something all of us have been desperately missing this past year. CMT Campfire Sessions is filled with performances that reignite our love of live music - from world-class troubadours... sharing stories of their creative process to Kane and friends effortlessly entertaining with a laid-back, good-time vibe, fans have a front-row seat to their favorite artists and amazing music."
So far, this season has included Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Kane Brown, Brothers Osborne, Lady A, and more. On July 8, Ballerini will headline her own episode, followed by Keb' Mo' and Trisha Yearwood in the coming weeks.
Kelsea Ballerini's Cover of Fleetwood Mac
As co-host of the CMT Music Awards, Kelsea Ballerini channeled her inner pop princess. But the 27-year-old superstar has not forgotten her Tennessee roots. That's apparent in her recent performance for the CMT Campfire Sessions one-hour "Covers" specials. Ballerini's version of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac departs from the track's original sound for an acoustic performance that centers the soul of the song.
Watch Kelsea Ballerini perform the rock classic above. The 1977 track experienced its own resurgence in 2020, topping the Billboard charts again thanks to a viral TikTok by Nathan Apodaca. (Otherwise known as the Ocean Spray Skateboarding Guy.) That surprising social media revival introduced Gen Z to the mysterious heartbreak ballad. And now, Ballerini's cover may remind country fans of the crossover hit.
But this was not Ballerini's first time testing out the tune.
Read More: Kelsea Ballerini Announces Debut Book of Poetry: Feel Your Way Through
Halsey & Kelsea Ballerini Sing "Dreams"
In 2020, Kelsea Ballerini and the indie darling Halsey teamed up for their own cover of "Dreams" for CMT Crossroads. In that performance, they pay a clear homage to the OG vocalist Stevie Nicks. The high production and electric riffs mirror the Fleetwood Mac single directly. It's a spirited duet, to say the least. But Ballerini's Campfire Session offers a more unique framing for this immortal song.
