She Played to 37,000. She’s Still Dreaming Bigger! | Kaylee Bell

Kaylee Bell has already watched 37,000 people fill a stadium in her home country. She's built a global audience, turned a song she was once told not to release into a career-changing hit and taken country music from New Zealand to Nashville.

And somehow, she still feels like she's just getting started.

During CMA Fest 2026, Kaylee joined Heart of the Gulch to talk about new music, motherhood, independence and why she's betting on herself as she chases the biggest stages of her career.

New Zealand country artist Kaylee Bell during her Heart of the Gulch interview at CMA Fest in Nashville.

Inside Kaylee Bell’s Heart of the Gulch Interview

Welcome to Heart of the Gulch, a Nashville-based interview show and country music platform featuring artists, singer-songwriters and personalities shaping music and entertainment. Host and creator Tony Mendoza sits down with New Zealand country artist Kaylee Bell during CMA Fest 2026 to discuss “Me For Me,” “Once In A Lifetime,” motherhood, “Keith,” global touring and her dream of taking her music into stadiums around the world.

The conversation came during an already memorable CMA Fest. While Kaylee was performing “Keith” at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Jelly Roll heard her set and rushed over hoping to join her. He didn't quite make it in time to sing, but still surprised Kaylee with an appearance after the performance.

The Song She Was Told Not to Release

Sometimes the career-changing decision is the one somebody tells you not to make.

For Kaylee, that song was “Keith.”

Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza interviewing New Zealand country artist Kaylee Bell during CMA Fest.

Inspired by Keith Urban, the track became a defining piece of her career and later reached another level when she performed it during The Voice Australia. In our conversation, Kaylee reflects on what happened because she trusted herself enough to release it — and how differently her career might look if she hadn't.

It's become part of a much bigger story. Kaylee's music has now accumulated more than 100 million global streams while she has remained an independent artist.

37,000 People and a Once-in-a-Lifetime Night

Just weeks before CMA Fest, Kaylee stepped onto one of the biggest stages of her career.

On May 16, she performed at the first concert inside Christchurch's new One New Zealand Stadium before a sold-out crowd of 37,000. That night also became the birthplace of two of her newest releases, “Me For Me” and “Once In A Lifetime,” both performed live for the first time at the show.

“Once In A Lifetime” was written with NAVVY and Josh Naley to capture the significance of that night, while its music video was filmed during the stadium performance itself. “Me For Me,” written with NAVVY and Tom Jordan, explores waiting for the right person rather than settling for less.

For Kaylee, though, 37,000 people isn't the finish line.

She wants stadiums.

Motherhood Changed the Way She Measures Success

For years, Kaylee's career was built around chasing the next thing.

The next song. The next show. The next country. The next milestone.

Kaylee Bell discussing her new songs “Me For Me” and “Once In A Lifetime” during her Heart of the Gulch interview.

Becoming a mother to her son James changed that perspective.

Kaylee opens up about learning to slow down and recognize that many of the things she once dreamed about are already happening. Motherhood hasn't made the ambition disappear — it's changed how she experiences the journey.

That perspective also carries into songs like “Heartbeat” and the music she's writing as she enters this next chapter.

A Country Career Without Borders

Kaylee's story doesn't follow the traditional Nashville blueprint.

She's built an international career while operating without the kind of traditional label and publishing infrastructure many artists depend on. Her path stretches between New Zealand, Australia, Nashville and audiences around the world.

Now she's looking toward another record, more global touring, a dream of eventually standing inside the Grand Ole Opry circle and what she believes could be an enormous 2027.

Her philosophy behind all of it is remarkably simple: The worst outcome isn't failing. It's never trying.

And for the girl who came from small-town New Zealand and ended up singing her songs to 37,000 people, betting on herself has worked pretty damn well so far.

Watch Kaylee Bell on Heart of the Gulch

Watch the full Heart of the Gulch conversation with Kaylee Bell from CMA Fest 2026 as she discusses “Keith,” “Me For Me,” “Once In A Lifetime,” motherhood, Jelly Roll's CMA Fest surprise, stadium dreams and building a global country music career.

Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, singer-songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.