Veronica Ballestrini

Veronica Ballestrini Vesely (born October 29, 1991) is an Italian-American singer, songwriter and actress. She has released two studio albums. Her self-made success story has caught national attention as Jon Caramanica wrote in The New York Times, "... When someone like Ms. Ballestrini arrives essentially unannounced and begins to attract attention, it’s significant."[1]

Veronica Ballestrini
Background information
Birth nameVeronica Jean Ballestrini
Born (1991-10-29) October 29, 1991
Waterford, Connecticut, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • keyboard
  • vocals
Years active2008–present
LabelsTimbob
Associated acts
Websiteveronicaballestrini.net

Biography

Ballestrini was born in New London, CT, and raised in Waterford, CT. She comes from a large family of four brothers and one sister. Her father Rosario Ballestrini and mother Carol Marandino Ballestrini are both Italian-American.[2]

Ballestrini signing at CMA Festival.

Ballestrini began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of thirteen, the same year she started her MySpace music page. With only cover songs up at the time, she still managed to attract many fans.[3] Veronica's popularity increased after writing and composing her song "Daddy" and posting it to her MySpace playlist. At age fourteen Ballestrini began performing around her home state of Connecticut at local talent contests and fairs. In November 2006, Ballestrini won 1st place at the USA World Showcase in Las Vegas, performing her song "Daddy". Her internet status caught the attention of Nashville record producers, who then contacted her about recording in Music City.[4]

While still in high school, Ballestrini made her professional singing debut. Ballestrini created an independent label in 2009 and worked with producer Cliff Downs, with whom she has written many songs. Downs produced her debut album "What I'm All About".[5]

Music career

2009-2010: What I'm All About

Ballestrini went on to record her debut album What I'm All About which was released on August 21, 2009 on her own independent label. Her first single "Amazing" charted at #24 on the Music Row chart.[6] and the music video debuted at No. 3 on CMT Pure.[7] "Don't Say" and "Out There Somewhere" were two other singles released off this album.[8] Ballestrini was named one of six "Artists to Watch For" by Marie Claire Magazine.[9]

Ballestrini's song "Destiny" is featured in the Diary of an Ex-Child Star (formerly Leaving Hollywood) movie and on the soundtrack. "Destiny" is also on her "What I'm All About" CD.

2010: If I Can Dream

In April 2010, Ballestrini was chosen as the "Editors Pick" in the If I Can Dream MySpace contest, created by Simon Fuller. She visited the Dream House in Beverly Hills from June 4–7, 2010. Ballestrini returned to the Dream House on June 23, 2010. During her stay she recorded her song "Fascinated" and worked with top writers, vocal coaches and had a romantic link to Alex Lambert.[10] She was at the house for two weeks. Lambert and Ballestrini broke up Winter 2010. For her audition video, Ballestrini sang "Blessed The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts.[11]

2010-2012: Gotta Make A Change

In 2010, Ballestrini was part of the "Mead Five Star" Music Insider nationwide sweepstake along with 9 other bands. In October 2010 it was announced Veronica was the winner of the fan voted contest, scoring $25,000.[12] Ballestrini used that money to work on new music.

In 2011, Ballestrini began working on a project titled Gotta Make A Change, a process that set in motion her "Gotta Make A Change" tour. Throughout the summer 2011, Ballestrini performed shows at various camps, festivals, Girl Scout events and women’s correctional facilities across the U.S. to help spread the project's motivational message.[13]

Ballestrini performing 2012.

In July 2011, Ballestrini announced to her fans her new single would be "Temporary Fix". The music video for this single was shot in Malibu, California.[14] "Temporary Fix" was released on iTunes on August 11, 2011 and the music video, released on September 24, 2011. In November 2011, Ballestrini charted on the Billboard Social 50 chart and #2 for Country artists.[15]

In 2012, Ballestrini released another single "Don't Give Up On Me", along with a music video.[16]

Ballestrini was in a relationship with country singer Shay Mooney from Dan and Shay from Summer 2011 to March 2013. During their relationship, they would post cover and original songs on YouTube and reached over 400,000 views combined.[11] The pair co-wrote songs for Ballestrini's sophomore album "Flip Side". The album was released on June 17, 2014.[11]

2014-present: Flip Side

In 2014, Ballestrini changed her album title name from "Gotta Make A Change" to "Flip Side". Ballestrini still continued to work on this album with producer/engineer Brandon Metcalf. While working on her album, Ballestrini went on a U.S. tour with Secondhand Serenade and Juliet Simms. The tour kick off show was in Lexington, KY on March 8 and ended in Hollywood, CA on April 9.[17]

Ballestrini has three duets on Secondhand Serenade's album Undefeated, which was released in October 2014.[18] Ballestrini is also featured on the Secondhand Serenade cover of "Say Something".

In April 2014, Ballestrini was chosen by Ford to be an agent for the Ford Fiesta Movement as part of a promotion with Ford and YouTube. She received a 2015 Ford Fiesta for a year, along with free gas, insurance, and all expenses paid.[19]

On April 24, 2015, Ballestrini became engaged to Secondhand Serenade front man John Vesely.[20] The couple met at Destiny Recording Studio in Nashville in early 2013 to record a Secondhand Serenade duet titled "By The Way".[21] Veronica and John were married on April 1, 2017, in Vero Beach, Florida.[22]

Discography

Albums
Title Details
What I'm All About
  • Release date: August 21, 2009
  • Label: Timbob Records
Flip Side
  • Release date: June 17, 2014
  • Label: Timbob Records

Singles
Year Single Album
2009 "Amazing" What I'm All About
"Out There Somewhere"
2010 "Don't Say"
2011 "Storm Inside of You" N/A
"Temporary Fix"
2012 "Don't Give Up on Me"
2014 "Cookies and Cream"[23] Flip Side

Music videos
Year Video Director
2007 "What's Up with That" Glenn Sweitzer
2009 "Amazing"
2009 "Out There Somewhere"
2010 "Don't Say"
2011 "Temporary Fix" DJ Cosgrove
2012 "Don't Give Up on Me"
2014 "Guys Like You"
"Cookies and Cream"[23] Carl Diebold

Filmography
Shows
Year Title Role Notes
2010 If I Can Dream Herself 5 episodes
2010-2011 I'm Still Dreaming Herself 7 episodes
2013 Fiesta Movement Herself 3 episodes
Music Video Appearances
Year Title Artist Director
2009 Days That We Live For Matt Gary Glenn Sweitzer
2009 Trail of Lies Katie Armiger Glenn Sweitzer
2011 Start Again Sam Tsui Kurt Hugo Schneider
2012 Perfectly Shay Mooney Harcourt Media
2013 Heart Stops (By the Way) Secondhand Serenade Dylan White
La La Love Glenn Sweitzer
2014 Shake It Up Secondhand Serenade
2019 That's How You Got It John Gurney Chase Lauer

References
  1. Caramanica, Jon. (July 31, 2009) Following in Taylor Swift’s Footsteps, Young Women Change the Face of Country. The New York Times. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  2. Veronica's family. Veronicaballestrini.net. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  3. Veronica growing up. CMT. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  4. Ballestrini gaining popularity through MySpace. Cmt.com. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  5. "Ballestrini growing up biography". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  6. Music row Veronica. Musicrow.com (June 20, 2010). Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  7. CMT music video. Cmt.com. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  8. . MusicRow.com Retrieved on November 1, 2011.
  9. Annie Reuter CMA 2009: Six Artists To Watch. July 10, 2009
  10. Veronica on "If I Can Dream" Archived July 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Hulu.com. Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  11. ificandream. "Veronica's Dream Break Weekend on If I Can Dream". Retrieved January 6, 2019 – via YouTube.
  12. . Ballestrini wins MEAD Five Star Contest
  13. "Gotta Make A Change". "Gotta Make A Change". Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  14. "Temporary Fix Video Shoot". Youtube.com (June 25, 2011). Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  15. "Billboard Social 50". "Social 50 Billboard Chart". Retrieved on November 18, 2011.
  16. "Don't Give Up On Me". Youtube.com (May 13, 2013). Retrieved on September 18, 2011.
  17. maggienoonan (March 12, 2013). "Veronica Ballestrini On Tour With Secondhand Serenade". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  18. Azizi Azmi. "Secondhand Serenade-Heart Stops (By The Way) (feat. Veronica Ballestrini) (Undefeated Album)". Retrieved January 6, 2019 – via YouTube.
  19. "Ford Fiesta Veronica. Fiestamovement.com. Retrieved on May 13, 2013
  20. Dean Klinhom. "Secondhand Serenade Lead Singer Marriage Proposal". Retrieved January 6, 2019 – via YouTube.
  21. SecondhandSerenadeTV. "Secondhand Serenade - Heart Stops ( By The Way ) Feat. Veronica Ballestrini". Retrieved January 6, 2019 – via YouTube.
  22. "Veronica Ballestrini". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  23. "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Country". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
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