Carly Pearce has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the country music industry over the last year and a half.
From earning her first No. 1 and winning Breakthrough Video Of The Year for her single “Every Little Thing,” to meeting her now fiancé, Michael Ray and releasing her sultry new single “Closer To You,” what more could Carly do to make this the best year ever? How about hopping on tour with Jason Aldean and Kane Brown and marrying the love of her life!
We had the chance to talk with Carly about some of the things she compromised with Michael on during the wedding planning, and what she’s looking forward to most about the Ride All Night tour.
CS: Let’s talk a little more about ‘Closer To You’. It’s on the radio now and in the Top 30, which is amazing because we know with females and country radio, it’s not always the good end of the stick.
CP: “I think it’s a really exciting time to be a female. I feel really lucky that I’m one of the ladies that’s helping to prove that women can work on radio. I’m just excited to continue to get more of my second record out and into the world.”
CS: And is ‘Closer To You’ on the second record? Can you give us a hint of what to expect?
CP: “I think just an evolution of everything that’s happened to me. There’s been a lot I’ve talked about that’s happened to me and a lot that I haven’t. You’re just going to kind of hear what’s been going on which is a lot.”
Carley Pearce and Michael Ray attend the 2019 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 05, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Getty Images via Zimbio)
CS: You’re engaged and you’re having a wedding coming up really soon. Would you say that’s where a lot of the inspiration is from with these new songs?
CP: “I mean obviously that’s a huge piece of it but I think just finding myself as a woman is really the heartbeat of the record and I think you’re going to hear a more mature sounding record.”
CS: Are there any collaborations that you could tell us about? Have you worked with Michael on any music?
CP: “There’s definitely a collaboration with Michael on the record of course. And then there’s another one that I’m really excited about that I cant talk about yet.”
CS: Do we have a release date yet?
CP: “The fall.”
CS: When are you planning all this wedding stuff in between?
CP: “I think I thrive on being busy so it’s just really exciting having a lot of things going on. It’s awesome.”
CS: Is it this year or next year?
CP: “We will be married by the end of the year, yes.”
CS: One of our reporters spoke to Michael and he said you are taking the reigns and so is your mom with wedding planning. How has that been and what’s been going on? Is that a fun experience with your mom?
CP: “We’re having such a great time. I’m really really close with my mom so it’s been a bonding experience to be able to have this with her. It’s mother-daughter bonding at its finest, especially because I’m an only child.”
CS: Have you said ‘yes to the dress’ yet?
CP: “Oh yeah. We’re pretty much done. We’re kind of at the end of planning. Everyone talks about how stressful planning is but I didn’t really think it was that stressful.”
CS: Do you have any of your friends performing?
CP: “Jake Owen is singing our first dance. We love his song ‘Made For You’ so he’s going to sing that.”
CS: Michael did say that one thing he is requesting is an open bar. Did you grant his request?
CP: “He’s definitely getting his open bar, yes.”
Carly Pearce performs at the HGTV Lodge on Friday, June 7 during the 2019 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville. (Courtesy of CMA)
CS: Aside from everything else, I know you’re going to be touring with Jason Aldean. You’re the only lady on his tour. Talk to us about that.
CP: “Yeah over the last 2 year I feel like I’ve got to be the girl power on a lot of the big male tours and I think that’s awesome. I feel lucky that they think I’m the right artist to open their show.”
CS: Is there anything you’re looking forward to most? Have you toured with Jason Aldean before or is this the first time?
CP: “We’re in the middle of the tour now so he’s great, his crew is great, Kane is great. It’s been really fun so far so I’m looking forward to picking it back up.”
CS: Is there any pressure? Because as you said you are the lady representing women on tour.
CP: “I think just wanting to make sure he’s happy with his decision. But really all I can do is be who I am, try to give 100%, and put as much music into those first 25 minutes of the show as I can and make people aware of who I am if they don’t know already.”
CS: Are there any touring plans for yourself that you want to do next year?
CP: “I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m definitely working on headlining some shows for the fall.”
