In the space of just a few months, singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves has gone from being virtually unknown to being the Next Big Thing in country music. The 24-year-old performer released her debut single 'Merry Go Round' last year, and her first album 'Same Trailer, Different Park' recently debuted at No. 1 in the Billboard country charts in its first week of release.

Musgraves was in Las Vegas recently for the ACMs, where she was nominated for Female Vocalist and Video of the Year, and she told Taste of Country about the dizzying whirlwind she has suddenly found herself in.

"I've always just watched from my living room, so to be here is just a different vibe for sure," she says. "And there's Jewel sitting next to me at the next table over, so that's interesting," she adds with deadpan understatement.

The rising star got to bring her father with her to the awards show, making the occasion even more special. "It's a really cool time for me," she shares. "Just even to be nominated feels pretty surreal and kinda crazy, because I got nominated before the record even came out. So it's like, 'Whoa, guys, slow down, no pressure or anything,'" she relates, adding, "But it's a good thing, and I'm grateful."

Musgraves also landed a major break opening for Kenny Chesney this summer in some of the largest amphitheaters in the country. "Being out with Chesney is pretty freakin' awesome," she admits. "He is such a class act and a real swell guy to my band and I. These venues that we get to play every weekend are just pretty unreal, and we have the entire summer ahead of us, so it's gonna be fun."

The entertainer adds that there's one aspect of her upcoming appearances that may be lacking. "I guess I'm gonna have some dance moves ready, which unfortunately is gonna be very awkward for me," she admits. "But I'm excited."

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