Carly Pearce Previews Sophomore Album, Shows Depth And Vulnerability

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Carly Pearce, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Morris Higham’s Kyle Quigley, CAA’s Marc Dennis. Photo: Sonni Young / Remedy Creative

To a crowd full of industry friends and fans, Carly Pearce showed off her skill as a musical communicator when she previewed her self-titled, sophomore album Tuesday night (Feb. 11) at the Analog at the Hutton Hotel. The 13-song project releases on Friday (Feb. 14) on Big Machine Records.

BMLG’s President and CEO, Scott Borchetta introduced Pearce. “Tonight is such a great girl power story,” he said. “For those of you who don’t know her story, it’s incredible. It’s about survival, it’s about perseverance, it’s about ‘I’m going to figure out how to do this.'”

Pearce previewed a handful of tracks from the new record, in addition to her top 20 hit, “Hide The Wine,” and her first No. 1, “Every Little Thing.”

“This is a really special night for me,” Pearce said. “I have wanted to share this music with you guys for so long. I’m so proud.”

Lee Brice, her duet partner on the No. 1 song on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” came out to support Pearce and sing his part of the soaring collaboration. Pearce’s husband Michael Ray joined her on another duet on the project called “Finish Your Sentences,” co-written by Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley.

Of the sampling Pearce played, several captured the refreshing emotional rawness that embodied “Every Little Thing,” including “Halfway Home,” a tune Pearce penned with Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz about the heartache that comes with breaking up with somebody. Her co-writers Sam Ellis and Natalie Hemby captured it yet again with “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” a song about persevering through the tough times and savoring the good. Pearce’s vocal delivery, and depth as a songwriter, on both tracks exemplified her skill as a country music communicator.

Another track, “Lightning In A Bottle,” penned by Hannah Ellis and Anna Vaus, captured Pearce’s romantic side, much like her Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Troy Verges-penned jam “Closer To You.”

Apparently, the Carly Pearce album was the last full record that songwriter/producer busbee produced before he passed away in September of 2019. busbee’s wife flew to Nashville to be at Pearce’s show, and Pearce presented her with a plaque and spoke emotionally about her work with the visionary producer, and said that she had dedicated the record to him.

“I just feel grateful for my time with him, and I feel like it’s my duty to carry on his legacy and be just a small part that gets to keep these songs going and just cherish these little moments of music he created.

“I forever want each and every one of you to listen to this record and hear busbee’s heart in it because his heart was all over this and I will forever be grateful to busbee,” Pearce said.

Carly Pearce Tracklist:
1. “Closer To You” | Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges
2. “Call Me” | busbee, Emily Shackelton, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook
3. “I Hope You’re Happy Now (Carly Pearce and Lee Brice)” | Carly Pearce, Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton
4. “Dashboard Jesus” | Victoria Banks, Sara Haze, Emily Shackelton
5. “Halfway Home” | Carly Pearce, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
6. “Heart’s Going Out Of Its Mind” | Carly Pearce, Joe Ginsberg, Laura Veltz
7. “Finish Your Sentences (Carly Pearce and Michael Ray)” | Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Thomas Rhett
8. “It Won’t Always Be Like This” | Carly Pearce, Sam Ellis, Natalie Hemby
9. “Lightning In A Bottle” | Hannah Ellis, Anna Vaus
10. “Love Has No Heart” | Sara Haze, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen
11. “Woman Down” | Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
12. “You Kissed Me First” | Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson
13. “Greener Grass” | Hillary Lindsey, Jonny Price, Ben West

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LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

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