Kelsea Ballerini predicts a 'women era' in country music

NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Upcoming country music star Kelsea Ballerini says it isn't a coincidence women are taking over the music industry.

The 22-year-old "Love Me Like You Mean It" singer and Billboard Women in Music "Rising Star" said it's an "awesome time to be a girl in country music."

Much like how Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Katy Perry and others have dominated pop music, Ballerini believes a similar phenomenon will take place in her genre. "There's a huge wave of us, with Cam, Mickey Guyton and Maddie & Tae," she said. "I'm not anti 'bro country,' but women era is starting -- Sara Evans called it 'bra country.'

This year, Ballerini's debut album The First Time reached No. 4 on Billboard's Top Country Albums charts; she was nominated for two Country Music Association Awards and a CMT Music Award as a result.

Thursday night, Ballerini performed live at the 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C..President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were in attendance of the Reese Witherspoon hosted event.