Booked, Blessed, and Busy
Photo submitted, Kassidy White holds one of the awards she helped present to leading country artists at the 2025 CMA Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in November.
By Allyson Dix
Managing Editor
Barren County Progress
Kassidy White is no stranger to being in the spotlight, but last month she stepped on stage beside some of the top country music artists on national television at the 59th annual CMA Awards.
Kassidy presented awards to celebrities before handing over to big stars like Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, Ella Langley, and Cody Johnson at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville under the bright lights.
Despite the thrill of that, she said she was most intrigued by learning how everything operates backstage. She and her family have watched the CMA Awards on television many times, but experiencing the environment backstage was something she enjoyed.
“There is some yelling backstage,” Kassidy said. “It was a loud environment, but it was very cool to see it and experience it.” While it was a first for her, Kassidy said she doesn’t believe it was her last.
Kassidy graduated from Barren County High School in 2024. Now, she is in her Sophomore year at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing a major in Marketing with a focus on Sales.
Alongside her collegiate path, Kassidy is deep into the world of modeling and pageantry, a world in which she didn’t grow up in but found a love for it as she got older. Her schedule stays full pursuing her dreams.
“It’s all about balance. I’m very blessed to be able to do all of this stuff at such a young age, and I consider it to be a great privilege. I like to say, ‘Booked, Blessed, and Busy!’” she says with a wholehearted chuckle.
Photo submitted, Kassidy White stands to the right of Megan Moroney (center) during a video shoot for “6 Months Later”.
Released back in July, Kassidy played a role in Megan Moroney’s “6 Months Later” music video, and reconnected with Moroney and another girl in the video at November’s awards show.
But Kassidy does have a favorite country music star that she worked with at the CMA Awards: Gretchen Wilson.
“She has such a vibrant personality,” Kassidy said of Wilson. “She is exactly what you would expect from her – warm, energetic, down to earth, and easy to talk to.”
One could say Kassidy endows the same charisma and friendly personality if you have met her.
In just a few short years, Kassidy has experienced life in ways many never will at only 19 years old, and she credits her family for helping to shape her into the person she is becoming.
“Growing up, I did not do pageantry or modeling,” Kassidy said. “I’m just an old country farm girl from Barren County.”
“My parents pushed me to do good in life and I learned to work hard from them,” she said of her mother and father, Chad and Lori White. However, Chad passed away when Kassidy was young, but she’s never forgotten the life lessons he taught her.
“My father passed away when I was very young from cancer, and one thing he would always say even when he was sick was, ‘Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.’”
That praise, even when things seemed uncertain, has always stuck with Kassidy.
“He always encouraged me to lead with a grateful heart,” she added. “I have realized it is such a privilege to even be tired, and that sounds crazy, but even after extremely long days, I’ve learned to be very grateful for that because God has given me the opportunity to even be tired from doing these things that I love and are very important to me.”
Kassidy said her mother has been a positive and hardworking role model she has witnessed through her life. She reflected on her memories growing up with learning new hairstyles for her tight curly hair, the same curls and hairstyle that she was crowned Miss Barren County and Miss Barren County Fair with.
“I hope to be half the woman she is with all she does,” Kassidy said.
Kassidy grew up watching her grandparents work on the farm as well. She is the granddaughter of Joe and Linda Mutter, and Phyllis Morgan.
As Kassidy lives her life to the fullest, whether it’s on stage, under the bright lights, or within her collegiate studies, she hopes to be an inspiration to younger girls who are navigating their own paths.
Kassidy encourages, “If you’re going to invest in something, invest in yourself. I’m not just talking about appearance; I am talking about showing up for yourself, taking care of yourself – these are the most important things – taking care of your health. Your body is a temple and always value yourself.”
“Go out on a limb for yourself, even when it feels like odds are stacked against you,” Kassidy said. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned this year.”
Editor’s Note: Kassidy White is also the granddaughter of the late James Carson White of Summer Shade, KY.
Photo submitted. At left, Kassidy White, a native of Barren County, stands feet away from country music artist Lainey Wilson as she accepts her award on national television during the 2025 CMA Awards.
