Listen: How one song changed everything for Kelsey Hart

For many fans, Kelsey Hart's breakthrough hit Life With You became the soundtrack to one of life's biggest moments.

Now, the country singer is getting ready to tell the next chapter of that story.

Speaking with Georgia Burt on iHeartCountry NZ, Kelsey revealed that his upcoming song Baby Steps was inspired by becoming a father, and confirmed the track has now been officially recorded.

"What I've noticed is... as new chapters come through, you're getting different inspiration for different things," Kelsey said, explaining how his songwriting has naturally evolved alongside life's biggest milestones. From songs about heartbreak and falling in love to now raising a child, he says those experiences continue to shape his music.

Fans have already been eagerly awaiting Baby Steps after early snippets gained traction online. While listeners have only heard the original demo so far, Kelsey told Georgia the full version is finally on the way.

"We just went in and actually recorded the song, and we should have a release date on it pretty soon," he said, adding that he's hoping to release it around the beginning of next year.

For Kelsey, the connection between Life With You and Baby Steps feels especially meaningful. He said many of the people who used Life With You as their wedding song are now relating to this new stage of life as they start families of their own.

"A lot of the people that used Life With You when they got married are kind of in that same phase as I am now of having kids," he said. "I think Baby Steps is going to be one of those that kind of is a next chapter and a cool way to move the story along after Life With You."

The singer also reflected on just how much that breakout hit has changed his career over the past three years.

"It just takes that one," Kelsey said. "That's kind of what Life With You did for me. It got me out on the road and opened the doors for so many things."

One of the most surprising parts of that journey has been seeing how far his music has travelled. During a recent show in Florida, Kelsey met fans who had flown all the way from the UK just to see him perform.

"It's really cool to see people that have had that kind of impact from the music where they're willing to fly across the world to see me play," he said.

And while New Zealand currently remains on his wish list rather than his tour schedule, Kelsey says he's heard plenty about Kiwi country fans and their passion for the genre. 

With new music on the way and plans for more releases throughout next year, here's hoping that trip down here isn't too far away.

Hear Georgia and Kelsey's full chat below on our Essential Interviews podcast: 

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