Australian singer/songwriter Morgan Evans performed a heart-wrenching unreleased song in light of his recent divorce from Kelsea Ballerini in Australia over the weekend.
Evans announced almost one year ago that he would be returning to Australia for the 15th anniversary of the CMC ROCKS QLD festival which took place Friday (Sept. 23) through Sunday (Sept. 25).
The “Kiss Somebody” singer hunched over his piano solemnly as he belted the words to his never-before-heard song “How Long,” an emotional ballad that finds Evans searching for the answers to questions he ponders about he and his now ex-wife’s relationship.
“How long have you been waiting to take our pictures down / How long have you been breaking, why am I just finding out / I would have searched the world all over for you / Took a flight through the night to be that shoulder for you / I would have let go if you wanted me to / How many times did you say ‘I love you’ when it wasn’t true,” Evans sang as the crowd whimpered with empathy.
Evans continued to sing, “I’m just wondering how long it’s been over for you / Was it something I was missing, or was it someone else? It kills me to know that this house ain’t a home / Maybe one day I’ll be okay but right now I don’t know / You used to tell me everything and that’s what hurts the most / It would be easier if I hated you but I still miss the person that I thought I knew.”
@xo.jessie99 @morganevansmusic making out hearts ache for him #fyp #viral #morganevans #countrymusic #cmcrocks #cmcrocks2022
Evans headlined the festival along with fellow country music stars Brad Paisley and Kane Brown, performing songs from his newest project: The Country And The Coast Side A. The EP was released almost one year ago (Oct. 29, 2021) and includes the track “Love Is Real,” which was written about Kelsea Ballerini while the couple were still together.
In the song Evans sang, “And I could drive, your hand in mine / Oh, baby, we’ll go ’til we run outta road / And the rust runs out these wheels / The way I feel, I know I always will / I am yours, you are mine, love is real.”
The “Heartfirst” singer filed for divorce from Evans in late August, and took to social media to spread the news.
Ballerini shared, “Friends, I’ve always tried my best to share my life with you in a real and vulnerable way, while also protecting layers of my personal life as they unfold. This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce.”
“This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. It’s hard to find the words here…but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons.”
Evans also addressed social media, adding his own statement.
“I am very sad to confirm that after almost five years of marriage, Kelsea and I are parting ways. I wish it were otherwise but sadly it is not.”
Meanwhile, Ballerini changed the lyrics to many of her songs written about Evans during her concert in New York City on Saturday night (Sept. 24).
When performing her new single “What I Have,” Ballerini changed the words “I got a warm body in bed” to “I got my own body in bed.” She also sang “Get Over Yourself,” while changing the words from, “I’m the crazy ex that wrecked your life,” to “I’m the crazy bitch that wrecked your life.”
Kelsea Ballerini changing the lyrics in WHAT I HAVE from “I got a warm body in bed” to “I got my own body in bed” in the wake of her divorce.
Also, she was so incredible tonight. Go see her on tour if you can❤️#SubjectToChange #HeartfirstTour pic.twitter.com/bjnykqYf9Y
— Rachael Ellenbogen (@TheRachaelE) September 25, 2022
Evans is wrapping up his world tour with Brad Paisley, and beginning The Country And The Coast Tour for his EP. His latest single release was in March, a re-release of his song “Country Outta My Girl” featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.
