Carly Pearce Openheartedly Shares ‘Every Little Thing’ Following Las Vegas Tragedy
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Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Hillary Lindsey and Allison Veltz, guitarist Shane Smith, Carly Pearce, songwriters Emily Shackleton and Shane McAnally, drummer Mike Blong and songwriter Laura Veltz. Photo: Katie Kauss
Hit songwriters Shane McAnally, Hillary Lindsey and Emily Shackelton joined Big Machine Records newcomer Carly Pearce on stage last night (Oct. 2) to celebrate the Oct. 13 debut of her Every Little Thing.
A weight hung over the fan event at the new location of Nashville’s Listening Room Cafe. Namely, the tragedy that took place at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas over the weekend.
“Today has been an extremely heavy day,” said Pearce before a moment of silence. “Being an artist and songwriter, we know so many that were out there in Vegas. I hope tonight we honor those who lost their lives and everyone was affected, and remember why we love music so much—especially country music. Music heals.”
Of the album’s 13 tracks, Pearce performed nine titles acoustically, in the round. Four titles were new to fans, not having been previously available for instant grat. Young, front row fans recorded and sang along to each title.
Carly Pearce fan party. Photo: Katie Kauss
Pearce wrote her debut, heartbreak ballad, “Every Little Thing,” with Shackelton and producer/writer busbee. Shackelton, a new mother of 13 days, performed a beautiful piano accompaniment for Pearce. Shackelton took the mic for the second title performed, “You Know Where To Find Me,” a co-write with Pearce and busbee. The evening wrapped with Pearce and Shackelton’s co-write “Careless.”
“Daniel [Lee] changed my life,” said Pearce. “He was looking to find an artist to work with from the ground up with busbee. He was the one person who told me I could in a sea of people who said I couldn’t…And thank you to Kos [Weaver], who let Daniel sign me to BMG.”
Pictured (L-R): Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Kevin Spellman, Carly Pearce, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Big Machine Records’ Jim Weatherson, BMG’s Daniel Lee. Photo: Katie Kauss
The Kentucky native introduced Shane McAnally, who has one outside cut on the project, “Feel Somethin’” with Natalie Hemby and busbee, in addition to a Pearce co-write with busbee and Pearce, “If My Name Was Whiskey.” The latter title was released to SiriusXM as a preview in addition to other instant-grat tracks. Pearce noted it reminds her of the timeless feel that the music from female country artists in the late ‘90s and early 2000’s had.
“Even when you sing a happy song,” said McAnally to Pearce, “you have that unbelievable country tear that we have been missing for so long. It feels like home hear that voice on the radio. Its funny that that is a breath of fresh air, that a stone cold country voice is taking us by surprise. But thank God they’re playing this record and you stayed in the game, because we need you.”
“I know Kelsea Ballerini and I have totally fan-girled over Hillary Lindsey,” praised Pearce of the songwriter. “I think everybody in Nashville kinda wants to be Hillary.”
Lindsey performed two of her titles, two outside cuts, “Hide The Wine,” written with Ashley Gorley and Luke Laird, noting it will be her next single after “Every Little Thing.” Secondly, Lindsey performed “I Need A Ride Home” with Pearce, also co-written with Gorley in addition to Matt Jenkins.
Carly Pearce. Photo: Katie Kauss
Pearce spontaneously welcomed Allison Veltz in addition to her sister Laura Veltz at separate times to the stage for their respective co-writes, “Doin’ It Right” and “Color.”
Pearce concluded by thanking two essential players who made Every Little Thing possible, BMLG owner Scott Borchetta and his A&R right hand Allison Jones, in addition to producer busbee and Vector managers Ken Levitan and Kevin Spellman.
“I’ve wanted [to make an album] my entire life,” concluded Pearce to the writers and audience. “It all begins with a song and I am truly grateful for letting me cut your songs and letting me write with you. I idolize you all as writers and artists and singers so thank you for doing this with me. I had so much fun making this album—front to back, it’s from my heart.”
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Eric T. Parker oversees operations and contributes editorial for MusicRow's print magazine, MusicRow.com, the RowFax tip sheet and the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart. He also facilitates annual events for the enterprise, including MusicRow Awards, CountryBreakout Awards and the Rising Women on the Row. [email protected] @EricTParkerView Author Profile
