MaRynn Taylor reminisced on her experience touring arenas with Kelsea Ballerini earlier this year.

Ballerini kicked off her first-ever headlining arena tour in January with a stop at Taylor’s hometown venue, Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Taylor told iHeartCountry on the red carpet at the 59th CMA Awards earlier this month that the arena is where she attended her first concert (Hannah Montana, plus Carrie Underwood and other artists she’s looked up to over the years), so it marked a full circle moment for the rising country artist.

“It was the most magical tour ever,” Taylor said. “I’ve never played arenas before, but Kelsea’s just amazing. I was just texting with her. I’m hoping to see her tonight. And it was just incredible, and every time I remember it, I think of the flashlights. They always put up flashlights for me during one of my songs, and it just brings me to tears. It was just such a great tour.”

Ballerini went on her tour — which also included Ashe, Sasha Alex Sloan and The Japanese House on select dates — after she released her latest studio project, Patterns. The Grammy-nominated album includes the title track, “Sorry Mom,” “Baggage,” “First Rodeo,” “Two Things,” “We Broke Up,” “Cowboys Cry Too” with Noah Kahan, and more. Most recently, Ballerini released Mount Pleasant, a 6-track EP that the singer-songwriter described as “a collection of six songs that I’ve written throughout the summer, marking a chapter of heavy self examination, longing, and stepping further into who I am as a 32 year old woman.” Ballerini performed the first song she released from Mount Pleasant, “I Sit In Parks,” during the CMA Awards.

Taylor released her own debut album, MaRynn (it’s a “first-name basis kind of album”), in August. She told iHeartCountry that she balanced her time on the road between performing and writing music. She said sh “was on such a high every night.” The 12-track album includes “dirty blonde,” “look at you go” and other songs that Taylor wrote while touring. Find it on iHeartRadio here.

“I’m so glad this album is out,” Taylor said. “A lot of heart went into these songs, and it was a long time coming.”

Corey Calhoun