Carly Pearce. Photo: Luke Rogers
Carly Pearce is stepping into the most honest era of her career.
After years of navigating the pressures of the country music industry, Pearce found herself at a crossroads. The Grammy, CMA and ACM award-winning artist recognized that the spark that first pulled her to Nashville had begun to fade. That realization became the starting point for what she now describes as her most personal creative chapter yet.
“When I wrote ‘Dream Come True,’ I realized I needed to fall back in love with music,” Pearce says. “I let the town and the charts and the followers and comparison kill me. I had to return to the reason that I fell in love with the dream.”
Photo: Luke Rogers
That mindset now shapes her forthcoming chapter, a time that reflects not only artistic growth, but a deeper commitment to honesty, vulnerability and storytelling.
Pearce offered the first glimpse of her next album in November with “Dream Come True,” a deeply autobiographical track she describes as a “gut check” on the real cost of success. Written alongside Lauren Hungate, Tofer Brown and Emily Weisband and produced with Ben West, the song strips away the fantasy of “making it” to reveal the quieter emotional toll that often comes with achievement.
“Every line is my story,” she says. “I moved into a cul-de-sac with a bunch of families around my age. I moved in by myself. I had this realization of some things that made me feel really lonely. [I had] a house full of things that reminded me of my success, but no one to share it with.”
The song isn’t rooted in regret, but in honesty. Pearce frames it as a reflection of the complicated emotions that come with finally living out a lifelong dream. “I moved here 17 years ago to do exactly what I’m doing. I never want people to think that I’m not grateful for that. But in gratitude, there is grief, and something that many people probably deal with is if you’re successful, you’ve probably missed out on something in your life.”
For Pearce, that emotional tradeoff shows up in very real, personal ways. “It’s missing events, it’s family and friends having to come to me on a tour bus, the majority of the time. It’s my life being exploited on social media or Reddit or some sort of headline. It’s my mom and her health journey, and feeling like I couldn’t be there to take care of her when she really helped me with this crazy dream,” she says.
This feeling is something Pearce says she’s come to recognize not just in herself, but in others. “My girlfriends who are the stay-at-home moms in the cul-de-sac, they had other dreams, too. They’re living out one dream, but they look at me and ask ‘What is that like?’ It’s a push and pull of the grass isn’t always greener.”
The emotional weight of the track was shaped inside a writing room built on trust. Hungate brought the initial idea to the session, and Pearce says the concept immediately connected with what she was experiencing at the time. “I just cried that day because I was feeling so beat up by the industry. I was feeling very much like ‘what does it all mean’ and ‘what is it all for?’”
That vulnerability was made possible by the close circle of collaborators Pearce has leaned on throughout this new chapter. Hungate, Brown and Weisband, along with frequent collaborator Jordan Reynolds, form what she calls “the heartbeat of the new record.”
Pearce’s most recent release, “Church Girl,” takes on faith, identity and acceptance, another deeply personal subject for Pearce. Written by Carter Faith, Cameron Bedell and Seth Ennis, the track marks a rare outside cut for Pearce.
“I was in my kitchen and it took my breath away when it got to the end of the chorus. It’s a bold song. I don’t think it’s by chance it’s finding me now, and I don’t think it’s by chance that it’s mine,” she shares.
The song’s message immediately resonated, particularly given Pearce’s upbringing and evolving relationship with faith. “Being somebody who grew up in the church, whose faith is such a big part of my life, and being somebody who’s also lived a lot of life, I feel like this message is so important to people because religion is so hard,” she explains. “It’s something I feel like a lot of people stay away from because of the judgment or because they feel the views are so rigid.”
Pearce has been open about her faith throughout her career. As she’s grown older and lived more life outside the structure of her childhood beliefs, she says her perspective has shifted towards one of empathy and grace. “I think my faith has evolved into a place of a lot of grace for humanity,” she says. “I’ve had to make some choices that, if you had told me as a child I was gonna have to make, I would have been like, ‘well, I’m going to hell.’ And, it’s just not the case.”
Pearce acknowledges that releasing such a bold track comes with risk. “There’s a lot of angry people. There’s a lot of judgy people,” she says. Still, she is firm about the song’s intention. “For me, it is not me saying, ‘go get high and have sex, and be crazy’ at all. But, it’s me saying if your path to Jesus looks a little different, I think Jesus still loves you, and I think he would want more people to accept you for those parts of your story and the journey that you’re on.”
Pearce will take this new chapter on the road with her upcoming “Inside the Dream Tour,” which includes six dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland. She is also slated to return to Australia for the first time since 2019 in March.
As she looks ahead to the full album release, Pearce says this era represents a creative homecoming. “This really is my best music I’ve ever made.”
CRS Reveals 2026 Lineup For ‘Cycle of A Song’ Series
/by Lauryn SinkCountry Radio Seminar has unveiled the lineup for its “Cycle of A Song” series as part of the Digital Music Summit (DMS) during CRS 2026.
The “Cycle of A Song” series provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of the journey a song takes from inception to chart success. This year’s series will feature Josh Ross’ “Single Again,” Chase Matthew’s “Darlin’,” and Koe Wetzel’s “High Road.” Additional details including panel participants and more will be announced at a later date.
General registration for CRS 2026, taking place March 18–20 in Nashville, is available now.
“Cycle of A Song” Schedule:
Wednesday, March 18 (11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.) — “Single Again” with Josh Ross
Thursday, March 19 (2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.) — “Darlin” with Chase Matthew
Friday, March 20 (3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.) — “High Road” with Koe Wetzel
Jump.Global Elevates JJ Farrell
/by Madison HahnenJJ Farrell. Photo: Hannah Drake
jump.global has promoted JJ Farrell to Managing Director. In his new role, he will oversee day-to-day operations across jump.global, including partnerships, client services, community growth and live events.
Farrell is upped from his previous role as Senior Director of Marketing & Partnerships, leading the company’s roster of agency clients and strategic partners while helping expand flagship initiatives including the NO EGO event series and the jump.global Summit.
Before jump.global, Farrell served as Membership, Marketing, and Partnerships Manager at the Music Business Association. His previous stops also include roles with the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, Sony Music Nashville, Atlantic Records, and KP Entertainment. Farrell is a graduate of Belmont University’s Music Business program, and is currently based in Nashville.
“jump.global has become a home for building meaningful connections and creating space for honest, human-centered conversations across the music business,” says Farrell. “I’m excited to continue serving our global community of thousands and to help make this industry a better place to exist.”
“In the seven years I’ve known JJ, he’s grown from an exceptional marketer and events professional into a multifaceted brand builder and strategic leader,” adds Nick Maiale, Founder of jump.global. “I’m thrilled to see him step into this role as we expand our services and launch year-round community membership offerings, and exciting new events, in 2026.”
Farrell can be reached here.
BREAKING: Sony Music Publishing & Domain Capital Group Acquire Miranda Lambert’s Full Song Catalog
/by LB CantrellPete Chiappetta, Miranda Lambert and Rusty Gaston. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Domain Capital Group have partnered to acquire Miranda Lambert‘s catalog, encompassing her complete back catalog of songs. SMP Nashville and Domain have also signed a go-forward publishing deal with Lambert covering future works, extending SMP’s longstanding partnership with the country superstar, which originally began in 2003.
Managing Director, Domain Capital Group Pete Chiappetta says, “Miranda Lambert’s many awards and accolades are a testament to her ability to create impactful songs and her catalog is full of them. We are excited to be able to partner with her as well as Rusty and the incredible team at Sony Music Publishing and see what Miranda does next. This catalog is a meaningful addition to Domain’s country music portfolio and reflects our continued focus on investing in timeless songs and the writers who create them.”
“Miranda is real in every sense of the word,” shares Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “Her authenticity sets her apart and has made her a trailblazing songwriter whose voice and songs have shaped modern country music. We are honored to partner with Pete and Domain to champion her incredible songs and continue to support her as she chases her dreams to new heights.”
A critically acclaimed, award-winning songwriter, artist, entertainer, producer and entrepreneur, Lambert’s catalog encompasses No. 1 hits including “White Liar,” “Bluebird,” “Over You” and “Heart Like Mine,” as well as No. 1 country albums including the Platinum-certified The Weight of These Wings, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Kerosene. She has also achieved acclaim for songs she has penned for other artists including Morgan Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and Ashley Monroe’s “I’m Good At Leavin’,” plus Luke Combs’s “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” and Lainey Wilson’s “Good Horses,” both of which also showcase Lambert as a featured artist.
Her current Grammy-nominated single, “A Song To Sing,” which she co-wrote and sings on with Chris Stapleton, arrived as the biggest streaming debut of her career, while her additional co-written collaboration “Trailblazer” with Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson is also up for a Grammy this year. Her tenth solo studio album, the Grammy-nominated Postcards from Texas, continued her streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart.
Lambert’s critically acclaimed catalog of music will also serve as the inspiration for a forthcoming project being developed by Sony Pictures Television for Hulu.
Lambert was represented in the transaction by Jess Rosen at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Domain Capital Group was represented by Sheppard Mullin.
Ella Langley Slates Sophomore Album
/by Madison HahnenElla Langley will release her sophomore album, Dandelion, on April 10 via SAWGOD/Columbia Records.
The 18-track project is executive produced by Langley with Miranda Lambert and Ben West. Langley will release the title track this Friday (Jan. 30), which was co-penned Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Austin Goodloe and Brett Tyler. The album also features previously released track “Choosin’ Texas, currently charting in the top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 for a third consecutive week, and in the top five position at country radio. The lead single has garnered over 240 million streams to date
“This record has so much growth in it,” shares Langley. “I’ve never poured more of myself into a project, into a song, into an idea, and it’s fallen out so beautifully. It’s about learning yourself, making mistakes, and realizing that it’s all just part of life.
“I want this record to be something that fans can relate to, but also something they want to get up and dance to at the same time,” she continues. “To me, this record feels like fireflies in the summertime. It feels like windows down on a red dirt road. It feels like the best kind of Sunday afternoon. It feels like those days I remember as a kid where it felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day. This record is really a love letter to that.”
On the record, dandelions represent survival through the hardest environments, signifying hope, healing, and resilience. “I learned that dandelion tea is actually a natural detox for the liver,” she says. “So a record called Dandelion after a record called hungover made all the sense in the world to me.”
Physical copies of Dandelion will be available in a Limited Edition Signed Honey Bee Yellow Colored Vinyl, Standard Puffball White Colored Vinyl, and Standard Jewelcase CD.
Mitchell Tenpenny To Kick Off New ‘Speed Of Light Tour’ In February
/by Lorie HollabaughMitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Mitchell Tenpenny is launching his new headline “Speed of Light Tour” on Feb. 6 in Rockford, Illinois with special guest Jake Banfield.
The upcoming tour, which will run through the end of the year, is named after new music Tenpenny is set to release this spring, and the announcement comes on the heels of a new single he released last Friday, “You Phase” penned by Tenpenny, Andy Albert and Corey Crowder.
Many of the tour dates are already on sale, with additional shows on sale Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. For the new shows, ticket pre-sale for Tenpenny’s Night Owl fan club members begins today (Jan. 27) with local pre-sales starting Jan. 29. at Mitchell10Penny.com. Additional dates will be announced in the coming months.
Tenpenny will also appear at the 20th-anniversary celebration of The Listening Room on March 3 at the Ryman Auditorium along with Hardy, Blessing Offor, Jo Dee Messina, Phil Barton, Brian Davis, J.T. Harding, Matt Jenkins, Wendell Mobley and James Slater, and is also slated as a special guest on Hardy’s upcoming “The Country! Country! Tour” in April.
“Speed of Light Tour” Dates:
2-6 – Rockford, IL – Hard Rock Live Rockford
2-7 – Cincinnati, OH – Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati Ballroom
2-11 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hard Rock Event Center
2-12 – Coconut Creek, FL – The Stage at Coco Outdoors
2-13 – Port Charlotte, FL – Country Jam Fest*
2-26 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz**
2-27 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s**
2-28 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues**
3-3 – Nashville, TN – The Listening Room 20th Anniversary*
3-21 – Gilbert, AZ – Boots in the Park*(Gilbert Regional Park)
3-26 – Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s**
3-27 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre**
3-28 – Binghamton, NY – Touch of Texas**
4-9 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center +
4-10 – Tupelo, MS – Cadence Bank Arena+
4-23 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena+
4-24 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium+
4-25 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center+
5-15 – Albuquerque, NM – Boots In The Park*
5-22 – West Wendover, NV – Peppermill Concert Hall – on sale Jan. 30
5-23 – Modesto, CA – The Fruit Yard – on sale Jan. 30
6-4 – Elizabeth, CO – Elizabeth Stampede – on sale date coming..
6-6 – Larchwood, IA – Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort++
6-13 – Karlstad, MN – Kick’n Up Kountry Festival*
6-20 – Winsted, MN – Winstock Country Music Festival*
8-27 – Wabash, IN – Honeywell Center- Ford Theater** – on sale Feb. 6
8-29 – Cedarburg, WI – Country in the Burg*
9-4 – Hepworth, ON – Sauble Beach Party 2026*
**Jake Benfield is special guets
*Festival or event show
+ Mitchell special guest on HARDY tour
++ Mitchell special guest with Dustin Lynch
Logan Crosby Partners With Dating App NeverMissed For New ‘So Damn Free Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughLogan Crosby. Photo: Jackson Dean Keith
Rising artist Logan Crosby has partnered with the dating app NeverMissed for his upcoming “So Damn Free Tour,” coinciding with the release of his new single “So Damn Free.”
The tour kicks off Jan. 22 in Mobile, Alabama, and as part of the new collaboration, NeverMissed will activate at all shows, giving singles the chance to meet, check-in, and spark real-world connections, no swiping required. Unlike traditional dating apps, NeverMissed brings people together through shared moments at the bar, the gym, the merch line, or the concert floor.
Fans attending shows on the new tour will be able to interact with the app via on-site QR codes, exclusive prompts, and live activations that encourage concertgoers to turn missed connections into real ones. Throughout the tour, attendees can download and check-in on NeverMissed to see who else is in the venue, view profiles and send a hello to those who’ve checked in, or log a fleeting moment if they spot someone they didn’t get to approach.
“NeverMissed grew from one simple idea — we cross paths with people every day that we never get a chance to talk to,” says Stephanie Fischer, CEO of NeverMissed. “NeverMissed is a digital wingman to give those with a missed connection a chance to meet. This partnership with Logan lets us bring that idea to life in a fun, real-world environment where everyone’s already looking for connection, community, and a good time.”
“I am elated to partner with NeverMissed as we bring the ‘So Damn Free Tour’ to cities all across the country,” says Crosby. “I’m absolutely thrilled to work with NeverMissed as they transform the way people connect in the ever changing dating scene. Just like music, connection is what it’s all about – NeverMissed and I can’t wait to make sure you stay connected!“
Crosby first caught national attention when he appeared on hit ABC show Claim to Fame, and his singles “Run Away With You,” “What Have I Done” and “All I Wanna Do,” and his genre-bending sound have landed him spots performing alongside artists like Megan Moroney, the Jonas Brothers, Cole Swindell, Kameron Marlowe and Alexandra Kay.
“So Damn Free Tour” Dates:
1/22 Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
1/23 Starkville, MS – Rick’s Cafe
1/24 Knoxville, TN – Open Chord Music
1/29 Durham, NC – Motorco
1/30 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
1/31 Lexington, KY – The Burl
2/5 Greenville, SC – Radio Room
2/6 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
2/7 Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom
2/12 Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck
2/13 Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall
2/14 Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
2/19 Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas*
2/20 Houston, TX – House of Blues*
2/21 Baton Rouge, LA – Texas Club*
2/26 Statesboro, GA – Blue Room
2/27 Birmingham, AL – Workplay
2/28 Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
*Support for Priscilla Block
Carter Faith Among SiriusXM’s Future Five 2026 List
/by Lauryn SinkCarter Faith. Photo: Courtesy of SiriusXM
Carter Faith has landed among SiriusXM’s 2026 Future Five list alongside Ian Asher, Monaleo, Sienna Spiro and Wind Walkers.
“SiriusXM’s Future Five is all about shining a spotlight on the artists we believe are ready to break through in a big way,” says Steve Blatter, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Music Programming at SiriusXM and Pandora. “Our programming team lives at the forefront of music discovery, and these five artists capture exactly where each of their genres is headed next.”
Faith debuted on SiriusXM in 2022 as an unsigned artist. Her track “Betty” from her debut album Cherry Valley has reached nearly one million on-demand streams per week. Over the last 12 weeks, she’s accumulated two million on-demand streams.
Past Future Five selections include Carly Pearce, Gabby Barrett, Megan Moroney, Lil Uzi Vert, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Roddy Ricch, Coco Jones, Doja Cat, Dominic Fike, Don Toliver and more.
Backline Launches 24/7 Mental Health & Crisis Support Line
/by Lauryn SinkBackline has launched B-LINE, a 24/7 mental health and crisis support line created exclusively for the music industry.
The support line will connect music industry professionals and their families with trained counselors. Support is available now by calling 1-855-BLINE99 or texting 254-639.
“This has always been the dream,” says Backline co-founder and Executive Director, Hilary Gleason. “We’ve supported thousands of music industry professionals in their mental health and wellness journeys, but one critical piece was missing: real-time access to care. B-LINE changes that.”
Backline tapped Spotify as the lead sponsor, alongside Noah Kahan and Live Nation. Additional support for B-LINE comes from Adyen, AEG Presents, The Busyhead Project, Red Light Management, and Wasserman Foundation.
“I started working with Backline to provide mental health services for my touring band and crew in 2023,” says Kahan. “Support for the wellbeing of the incredibly hard working artists and people that make the music industry function has long been neglected. A dedicated 24 hour hotline is the first step toward accessing critical mental health support. The Busyhead Project and I are proud to work with Backline to create a pathway toward a healthier future and an entry point for accessing resources.”
“Artists are the lifeblood of culture, but too often they and their teams don’t have the safety nets they need. That has to change,” adds Spotify’s Global Head of Music, Charlie Hellman. “Spotify is proud to enable Backline to build B-LINE and expand access to this critical support.”
Since 2019, Backline has invested $3.5 million into mental health and wellness in the music industry and served 84,000 people. Suicide rates of musicians are nearly ten times the national average for males, and 73% of independent musicians report symptoms of mental illness. The latest 2025 poll shows 8.3% of respondents suffered with suicidal thoughts in 2025. Additional Backline resources can be found here.
Walter Thomas Rises To EVP, Motown Gospel & TAMLA Records
/by LB CantrellWalter Thomas. Photo: Alex Rodger
Capitol Music Group has elevated Walter Thomas to Executive Vice President, Motown Gospel and TAMLA Records. His promotion comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for both labels.
“Walter Thomas is a transformational leader whose vision continues to elevate our artists, our teams, and the entire Gospel and Christian music landscape,” says Brad O’Donnell, President, Capitol Christian Music Group. “His strategic clarity, passion for artist development, and ability to unite culture with faith-centered music has positioned Motown Gospel and TAMLA for a remarkable new chapter.”
In the last year, Motown Gospel’s Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s studio album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart, Pastor Mike Jr. set a historic record for most Artist of the Year wins at the Stellar Awards, the labels celebrated five nominations for the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards and Motown Gospel secured six No. 1 Billboard & Mediabase Airplay singles. New TAMLA Records artist Lee Vasi proved to be a breakout success, and the company extended its partnership with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
In his expanded role, Thomas will oversee the creative, marketing and strategic direction for Motown Gospel and TAMLA, strengthening partnerships and continuing to champion talent across gospel, Christian, R&B and positive music.
“This promotion is a reflection of our team’s relentless dedication and the extraordinary artists who trust us with their voices,” shares Thomas. “Motown Gospel and TAMLA are home to some of the most impactful storytellers of our time. I’m honored to help lead our next era — one built on innovation, cultural relevance and music that inspires the world.”
Inside Carly Pearce’s Most Honest Era Yet [Interview]
/by Lauryn SinkCarly Pearce. Photo: Luke Rogers
Carly Pearce is stepping into the most honest era of her career.
After years of navigating the pressures of the country music industry, Pearce found herself at a crossroads. The Grammy, CMA and ACM award-winning artist recognized that the spark that first pulled her to Nashville had begun to fade. That realization became the starting point for what she now describes as her most personal creative chapter yet.
“When I wrote ‘Dream Come True,’ I realized I needed to fall back in love with music,” Pearce says. “I let the town and the charts and the followers and comparison kill me. I had to return to the reason that I fell in love with the dream.”
Photo: Luke Rogers
That mindset now shapes her forthcoming chapter, a time that reflects not only artistic growth, but a deeper commitment to honesty, vulnerability and storytelling.
Pearce offered the first glimpse of her next album in November with “Dream Come True,” a deeply autobiographical track she describes as a “gut check” on the real cost of success. Written alongside Lauren Hungate, Tofer Brown and Emily Weisband and produced with Ben West, the song strips away the fantasy of “making it” to reveal the quieter emotional toll that often comes with achievement.
“Every line is my story,” she says. “I moved into a cul-de-sac with a bunch of families around my age. I moved in by myself. I had this realization of some things that made me feel really lonely. [I had] a house full of things that reminded me of my success, but no one to share it with.”
The song isn’t rooted in regret, but in honesty. Pearce frames it as a reflection of the complicated emotions that come with finally living out a lifelong dream. “I moved here 17 years ago to do exactly what I’m doing. I never want people to think that I’m not grateful for that. But in gratitude, there is grief, and something that many people probably deal with is if you’re successful, you’ve probably missed out on something in your life.”
For Pearce, that emotional tradeoff shows up in very real, personal ways. “It’s missing events, it’s family and friends having to come to me on a tour bus, the majority of the time. It’s my life being exploited on social media or Reddit or some sort of headline. It’s my mom and her health journey, and feeling like I couldn’t be there to take care of her when she really helped me with this crazy dream,” she says.
This feeling is something Pearce says she’s come to recognize not just in herself, but in others. “My girlfriends who are the stay-at-home moms in the cul-de-sac, they had other dreams, too. They’re living out one dream, but they look at me and ask ‘What is that like?’ It’s a push and pull of the grass isn’t always greener.”
The emotional weight of the track was shaped inside a writing room built on trust. Hungate brought the initial idea to the session, and Pearce says the concept immediately connected with what she was experiencing at the time. “I just cried that day because I was feeling so beat up by the industry. I was feeling very much like ‘what does it all mean’ and ‘what is it all for?’”
That vulnerability was made possible by the close circle of collaborators Pearce has leaned on throughout this new chapter. Hungate, Brown and Weisband, along with frequent collaborator Jordan Reynolds, form what she calls “the heartbeat of the new record.”
Pearce’s most recent release, “Church Girl,” takes on faith, identity and acceptance, another deeply personal subject for Pearce. Written by Carter Faith, Cameron Bedell and Seth Ennis, the track marks a rare outside cut for Pearce.
“I was in my kitchen and it took my breath away when it got to the end of the chorus. It’s a bold song. I don’t think it’s by chance it’s finding me now, and I don’t think it’s by chance that it’s mine,” she shares.
The song’s message immediately resonated, particularly given Pearce’s upbringing and evolving relationship with faith. “Being somebody who grew up in the church, whose faith is such a big part of my life, and being somebody who’s also lived a lot of life, I feel like this message is so important to people because religion is so hard,” she explains. “It’s something I feel like a lot of people stay away from because of the judgment or because they feel the views are so rigid.”
Pearce has been open about her faith throughout her career. As she’s grown older and lived more life outside the structure of her childhood beliefs, she says her perspective has shifted towards one of empathy and grace. “I think my faith has evolved into a place of a lot of grace for humanity,” she says. “I’ve had to make some choices that, if you had told me as a child I was gonna have to make, I would have been like, ‘well, I’m going to hell.’ And, it’s just not the case.”
Pearce acknowledges that releasing such a bold track comes with risk. “There’s a lot of angry people. There’s a lot of judgy people,” she says. Still, she is firm about the song’s intention. “For me, it is not me saying, ‘go get high and have sex, and be crazy’ at all. But, it’s me saying if your path to Jesus looks a little different, I think Jesus still loves you, and I think he would want more people to accept you for those parts of your story and the journey that you’re on.”
Pearce will take this new chapter on the road with her upcoming “Inside the Dream Tour,” which includes six dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland. She is also slated to return to Australia for the first time since 2019 in March.
As she looks ahead to the full album release, Pearce says this era represents a creative homecoming. “This really is my best music I’ve ever made.”