Jana Kramer and newcomer Kelsea Ballerini have hit the road together for the CMT Next Women of Country tour, and it sounds like it has already been a bonding experience.

“She awesome,” Kramer said of her tourmate during their first shows together this past weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Cincinnati. “It’s not just a work relationship. She knows some of my deepest and darkest secrets. She’s a sweetheart. The fact that we get to be out here together … we’re both fun outgoing girls. We’re gonna have a good time.”

Kramer’s latest single, “I Got the Boy,” is getting a huge reaction at the concerts.

“I love playing uptempo songs,” she said. “I have this song called ‘Boomerang’ that I like playing. Or one song particular, ‘Bullet,’ which I have Steven Tyler singing with me on the album.”

When you’re touring with a band and crew, it’s not all about the spotlight and glamour on the road. However, Kramer looks for opportunities for a little recreation for everyone involved in her entourage.

“The guys on the bus are my family. They’re my big brothers -- even though I’m older than most of them,” she laughed, adding, “It’s definitely hard to share a bathroom with eight dudes.”

On one recent day off, she rented a pontoon and jet skis for everyone to share.

“We actually hang out together,” she said. “We like to have fun. The fact that we get to hang out together on our day off is awesome.”

Kramer says she’s happy to be on the CMT Next Women of Country tour.

“I’m excited that CMT has put together this tour because there are a lot of amazing women right now in country music,” she said. “It means a lot because it means what I’m doing is valued and justified. I feel good enough. It feels good to know that people believe in me and want me to be one of the ones representing the women of country.”

The tour resumes Thursday (May 7) at the House of Blues in Cleveland, followed by shows Friday at Joe’s Bar in Chicago and Sunday at the Pageant in St. Louis.

Check out all the dates for the CMT Next Women of Country tour.