Kelsea Ballerini is Billboard's latest Rising Star

Rising country artist Kelsea Ballerini has been named Billboard magazine's Rising Star for 2015.

The singer will be feted at the 10th annual Women in Music event on 11 December (15), and recognized for her success on the charts and talent.

"At 22, Kelsea Ballerini already has a career to kill for, from a hit song to award nominations and even a stop at the famed Grand Ole Opry," says Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of Guggenheim Media’s Entertainment Group, which owns Billboard. "Much like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift before, Kelsea is a powerful songwriter and singer that has Nashville a buzz. Expertly bridging the pop-country gap, her songs have heart and it is only the beginning."

Ballerini released her debut album earlier this year (15) and had her first number one song with Love Me Live You Mean It. Swift gave her an added boost in September (15) by inviting Ballerini to join her onstage for a guest spot during her 1989 World Tour stop in Nashville. The two singers performed Ballerini's hit track Love Me Like You Mean It together.