Kenny Chesney Surprises Crowd with Kelsea Ballerini During Opening Night of Las Vegas Sphere Residency

Country music icon Kenny Chesney kicked off his highly anticipated Las Vegas Sphere residency in unforgettable fashion—by bringing out special guest Kelsea Ballerini.

On Thursday, May 22, the multi-platinum artist became the first country star in history to headline a residency at the groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere, a venue renowned for its 16K LED screen and immersive experience. The Sphere, which opened in September 2023, has hosted only a handful of legendary acts including U2, The Eagles, and Phish—until now.

A Night of Country Surprises at the Sphere

Kenny Chesney’s opening night was packed with energy, hits, and surprises. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers came when Kelsea Ballerini joined Chesney on stage during his performance of the fan-favorite 1999 hit “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”

Fans erupted in applause as Ballerini seamlessly joined in on the vocals, setting the tone for a collaborative celebration of country music.

A Powerful Duet & Emotional Throwback

The chemistry between Chesney and Ballerini was electric as the pair continued with their award-winning duet “Half of My Hometown,” a deeply personal song that resonated powerfully inside the state-of-the-art venue. They followed up with the soulful “You and Tequila,” giving fans a night to remember.

“You always want opening night to be special,” Chesney said. “Having Kelsea out there with me made it unforgettable.”

More Shows Ahead at the Las Vegas Sphere

Chesney’s Las Vegas residency is scheduled to run through June 14, with 11 more shows lined up. With a surprise appearance already in the books on night one, fans can expect more exciting collaborations and memorable moments in the weeks ahead.

Watch a snippet of Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini singing “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” below.