Carly Pearce
Show notes
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Carly Pearce.
Born in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, Carly Pearce left high school at 16 to take a performing job at Dollywood, then moved to Nashville at 19 to chase a solo career full-time — working odd jobs and driving her own van between shows before her big break finally came. Her 2017 debut single, "Every Little Thing," launched a run that's since brought her a Grammy, three CMA Awards, and four ACM Awards, including CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2021. That same year, Dolly Parton personally invited her to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, one of the highest honors in country music. Pearce's most acclaimed work, 2021's 29: Written in Stone, turned the pain of her divorce into a Grammy-winning album, and she's continued that streak of raw, unflinching songwriting on 2024's Hummingbird and this year’s Honest Woman.
While talking with Joel, Carly opens up about the years of grinding it out before anyone was paying attention, learning to trust her own instincts instead of everyone else's opinions, and why she's finally made peace with even the hardest chapters of her story.
(0:00) – High Heels in the Warehouse
(1:11) – Dolly Parton Fulfilled a Lifelong Opry Dream
(1:59) – Country Grandparents, Southern Rock Parents
(6:33) – Quitting School at Age Fourteen
(11:25) – Forbes 30 Under 30 & Grand Ole Opry Member
(17:10) – Reclaiming Her Artistic Voice
(21:14) – Writing Through a Public Divorce
(24:53) – Music as a Lifeline
(26:46) – Kentucky Bluegrass Roots on Record
(35:51) – Six Shows a Day at Dollywood
(36:46) – Faith as Her Grounding Center
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