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Music collaborations usually feel like business deals. You know the vibe: two big names get thrown together by a label, they film a glossy video, and they never speak again. But honestly? The connection between Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan feels like the exact opposite of that.
It’s refreshing. It’s kinda messy in the best way.
Most people think their hit "Cowboys Cry Too" was just a clever marketing play to bridge the gap between Nashville country and Vermont folk. It wasn't. This whole thing actually started because Kelsea was basically a fangirl who decided to "shoot her shot" via text message.
The Grammys Meeting That Started It All
The timeline is actually pretty wild. They didn't grow up together, and they weren't in the same circles for years. They met at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024.
Kelsea was doing a soundcheck for a pre-Grammy event and was reportedly telling her team, "If Noah walks in, let me know." She wanted to meet him that badly. When they finally crossed paths, Noah actually beat her to the punch. He complimented her 2016 hit "Peter Pan," telling her he wished he'd written that hook.
For a songwriter like Kelsea, that’s the ultimate "we’re friends now" starter pack. She called it "songwriter synergy."
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Why "Cowboys Cry Too" Needed Noah Kahan
Kelsea actually wrote the chorus for "Cowboys Cry Too" way back in November 2023. She was sitting on her back porch, thinking about the men in her life—her dad, her partner (actor Chase Stokes), and her friends. She realized the song was a tribute to men who aren't afraid to be vulnerable.
But it felt unfinished.
She felt like it needed a male perspective to actually land the message about toxic masculinity. Remembering their "synergy" from the Grammys, she texted Noah. She didn't send a formal pitch through an agent. She sent a text saying, "You a cowboy yet?" and attached the song.
Noah wrote his verse while he was out on tour. He’s been super open about his own mental health struggles and his "Stick Season" success, so the lyrics about growing up wishing he could "close off" like his father did were 100% authentic to his brand of folk-storytelling.
That CMA Fest 2025 Performance (And the Rain)
If you weren't at Nissan Stadium in June 2025, you missed a core memory moment. The weather in Nashville was doing that typical Tennessee thing where it pours out of nowhere. Kelsea’s set was actually getting cut short because of the rain.
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Most headliners would have just cut the guest spot to save their own solo hits.
Instead, Kelsea brought Noah out anyway. He was wearing a shirt that said "Kountry Club" and they did "Cowboys Cry Too" while the crowd basically lost it. But the real "human" moment? Kelsea insisted they do his song, "Stick Season," even with the clock ticking. She told the crowd that since he came all the way down to Nashville with his family, they had to do it.
Key Moments in Their Collaboration Timeline
- February 2024: Met at a pre-Grammy event; Noah praises "Peter Pan."
- May 2024: First big performance together at the 59th ACM Awards. They mashed up "Mountain with a View" and "Stick Season."
- June 28, 2024: "Cowboys Cry Too" officially drops as the lead single for Kelsea's album, Patterns.
- November 2024: They perform together at the CMA Awards in matching white outfits.
- June 2025: The rainy Nissan Stadium duet at CMA Fest solidifies them as "besties."
What Most People Get Wrong About Their "Genre"
Critics love to debate whether Noah Kahan is "country enough" for these stages. Honestly, it’s a tired argument. When you look at the success of "Cowboys Cry Too"—which hit the top 20 on the Hot Country Songs chart—it’s clear the fans don't care about the labels.
Noah’s Vermont-folk style and Kelsea’s Nashville-pop-country blend together because they both prioritize lyricism over production. They’re both "words first" artists.
Kelsea has been very vocal that her album Patterns is a "deep dive in self-assessment." Having Noah on the lead single wasn't just about getting a "folk guy" on the track; it was about finding someone who could handle the weight of a song about men's emotional health without making it feel like a Hallmark card.
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Real Friendship vs. Industry Fluff
You can tell they’re actually friends by the way they talk about each other in interviews. Kelsea calls him a "good human" and "dear friend." Noah jokes about how he feels lucky to walk around with her.
They’ve even been spotted on double dates at Dollywood. You don't go to Dollywood with someone for a PR stunt—that’s a "real friend" move.
There’s a specific kind of joy they have on stage together. During the 2024 ACMs, they ended their medley with a huge hug that felt completely unscripted. It’s that "I’m just happy to be here" mentality that Noah brings, which Kelsea says she absolutely adores.
If you want to dive deeper into why this collaboration works, start by listening to the lyrics of the second verse in "Cowboys Cry Too." That’s where Noah really bares his soul about his upbringing.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the live recording of their 2024 ACM Awards medley—the transition between "Mountain with a View" and "Stick Season" is masterclass-level arrangement.
- Listen to Kelsea's full album Patterns, but pay attention to how "Cowboys Cry Too" sets the tone for the "cycles" she talks about throughout the record.
- Watch their CMA Fest 2025 clips on TikTok if you want to see what "singing in the rain" actually looks like when two artists are having the time of their lives.