Photo Credit: Brent Harrington/CBS
NASHVILLE, TN (April 17, 2021) – The Washington Post details a personally transitional, yet professionally impactful, year for CARLY PEARCE. The three-time ACM Awards nominee and “one of Nashville’s breakout stars over the past several years, has always written candid songs,” though her latest collection 29 (Big Machine Records) truly dives deep into the soul with the listener emerging a little wiser.
Read the full article in today’s print edition and online, titled Country star Carly Pearce released a powerful revenge album — and it’s not what you would expect.
Reporter Emily Yahr explores the collection of “’90s country-inspired tracks that chronicle the spectrum of heartbreak” as “’29’ serves as a unique type of revenge album — not in the ‘burn it all down’ kind of way, but rather showing that living well is the best revenge.”
Striking a chord across the world of Country music fans, industry and people who look for real life in their music, Carly reveals, “I didn’t really know how to do anything except be honest. So I made the decision to say: ‘I unapologetically went through this and there’s no way to go around it. And I’m just going to share it with you.’” That honesty is something Carly has always tried to follow, even thanking an ex for breaking her heart during her acceptance speech at the 2018 CMT Music Awards.
While the new music, “came out of a situation that for me was completely soul-crushing” Carly reflects, “we have to make decisions in life in hard times: Are we going to let this define us or refine us? And I think this is my refinement moment.”
Her Top 25-and-climbing single provides a bit of levity and caution to the project, as Yahr notes, “She also comes out swinging on ‘Next Girl,’ also written with McAnally and Osbourne, an upbeat yet searing tune that warns women about falling for a man’s smooth pickup lines.”
Yet once again, through rough patches, she has connected with listeners who hear themselves in her lyrics. Already celebrating a coveted CMA Awards Musical Event win, “I Hope You’re Happy Now” has now earned the ACM Awards Music Event of the Year ahead of Sunday night’s (4/18) show. Carly and Lee Brice will perform their No. 1 duet on the live broadcast, airing at 8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
