Kenny Chesney kicked off his immersive run of shows at a unique venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, and he surprised his first Sphere audience with a special guest.

Kelsea Ballerini, fellow East Tennessee-born country artist, joined Chesney on stage during the first Kenny Chesney LIVE at Sphere Las Vegas show on Thursday night (May 22). Together, the pair performed “half of my hometown,” the heartfelt ballad that appeared on Ballerini’s 13-track record, kelsea, in 2020. Ballerini previously shared that she wanted to recruit hometown hero Chesney to join her on the ballad that serves as a tribute to her East Tennessee home.

The duo also performed the 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee’s iconic 90s single, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” and Ballerini filled in for Grace Potter on “You and Tequila.” Chesney featured Potter on the duet on Hemingway's Whiskey in 2010. The set list on Night No. 1 of Chesney’s first-ever Vegas residency included many other career-spanning hits. He paid tribute to former tour opener (now a global superstar) Taylor Swift with a throwback photo on screen during “Big Star,” and shared glimpses of his “Beer In Mexico” performance during rehearsals.

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas dates

Thursday, May 22
Saturday, May 24
Sunday, May 25
Wednesday, May 28
Friday, May 30
Saturday, May 31
Wednesday, June 4
Friday, June 6
Saturday, June 7
Wednesday, June 11
Friday, June 13
Saturday, June 14
Wednesday, June 18
Friday, June 20
Saturday, June 21

“I’m always looking for ways to deepen the way No Shoes Nation experiences this music,” Chesney previously said in a statement. “Over the years, they have shown me through their own response to these songs how passionate they are about what they mean, how these songs are part of their lives. When people give you that much heart, I want to give them even more.

“When we started talking about all of the possibilities playing Sphere offered, I was all in,” he continued. “Just the idea of 4D technology and the impossibly dialed in sound raises the experience for No Shoes Nation, literally immersing them in music, visuals, sound and being together. To me, this is going to be a whole new way of rocking the fans, and I can’t wait.”

Chesney added as he posted photos by photographer Allister Ann from the first show on Friday (May 23): “We’ve shared a lot of moments over the years, but standing on that stage last night felt like the start of something special. It’s going to be an incredible summer!

“Nothing can prepare you for your first night at Sphere in Vegas,” he added in the caption of another post, which included photos with Ballerini. “It was so magical and even more emotional for me and my road family. Thanks to the whole sphere team and a very special thanks to my friend from Knoxville, TN [Kelsea Ballerini] for such a great surprise on our first night. What a beautiful, unexpected treat. We get to do it all again Saturday.”

Ballerini shared Chesney’s post on her Instagram story, and said “he’s the first country artist to headline the Sphere and I had the honor to witness him do what he does best. [Kenny Chesney] I just love you so much!”

From the Marion Public Library Podcast Studio