Photo Credit: Alexa Campbell
NASHVILLE, TN (April 18, 2022) – Reigning ACM and CMA Awards Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year, CARLY PEARCE has always been rooted in the traditional Country stylings of her Kentucky home state. During a special one-night-only concert event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville (4/6), she highlighted the power of music in her own performance and a special donation through the Music Has Value Fund to Kentucky Music Educators Association in partnership with National Association for Music Education. The Taylor Mill native has seen the devastation from recent tornadoes across the area, and specifically, for the family of her bass player Phil Noel in Mayfield. INSIDE 29: WRITTEN IN STONE LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY was filmed for release later in the year, but local fans of all ages experienced the taping first-hand. Carly expanded on the deeply personal songs of love, loss and truth she lived through on the critically-acclaimed and commercially-lauded album, 29: WRITTEN IN STONE (Big Machine Records).
“I am grateful to have had the support of my strong Kentucky lineage and embrace from true lovers of Country music so it’s an honor to help give back to the community that raised me. This donation from the Music Has Value Fund is a way to uplift some other dreamers in the face of chaos,” says Carly. “I wrote this album out of survival, and it ended up being the most beautiful season of my life. My hope is that we all find healing in our heartaches.”
NAfME Southern Division President Sonja Z.M. Williams says, “Carly Pearce, thank you for being the voice for those who suffered losses during tornadoes in Kentucky. Thank you for giving back to the community that helped shape you at a young age. We applaud you and the Music Has Value Fund for choosing to support underserved schools. Those students need to have every opportunity to make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music without any obstacles. I know the members of the Kentucky Music Educators Association, led by David Graham, are ecstatic to be on the receiving end of this initiative. We look forward to hearing how the funding positively impacts the schools!”
“The Music Has Value Fund is happy to assist the Kentucky Music Educators Association in supporting music programs in Mayfield. Rebuilding the schools will take time. Our hope is that music programs will be in place and ready when the schools are ready. Our thoughts and prayers continue for the families and all music educators affected by Kentucky tornadoes,” says Big Machine Label Group EVP Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta.
As a committed songwriter, Carly has resonated with her honest lyrics and timeless musicality, lighting a fire with her debut album EVERY LITTLE THING and the PLATINUM-certified history making title track. Heartache and determination continue to connect her with fans across the country who can relate. Last night Carly surprised fans with a few special guests as she sang through the entirety of 29: WRITTEN IN STONE and invited Lee Brice to the stage for their 2X PLATINUM-certified, No. 1 “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which won both the CMA Musical Event and ACM Music Event, plus ACM Single of the Year. She brought up Ashley McBryde for their ACM Awards Music Event of the Year duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” CMA/ACM Awards Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor on fiddle for “29,” acclaimed Bluegrass sensations The Isaacs to harmonize on “Easy Going” and Grammy-nominated Matthew West for their version of his hit “Truth Be Told.” Ahead of Carly’s induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame on October 28, the Grand Ole Opry member (fittingly invited by Dolly Parton) is clearly living out her childhood dream.
Last week, she performed album opener “Diamondback” on the CMT Music Awards – watch here. The show is now available on demand on Paramount+*. For Kenny Chesney’s HERE AND NOW TOUR 2022 dates, please visit CarlyPearce.com.
