As Carly Pearce prepares to turn 35, the country singer is proud to say she’s putting herself first.
“I feel in every way — no matter if it’s the kind of music that I’m making or how I spend my days in my personal life — I’m choosing me,” Pearce, 34, exclusively shared in the new issue of Us Weekly. “For the first time, I’m totally doing things 100 percent the way that I want to, and I’m in my single era and kind of loving it for the first time in my life.”
Whether performing around the world for her Hummingbird tour or gearing up for a return to the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California, on Friday, April 25, the “What He Didn’t Do” singer continues to live out her music dreams.
She also can believe how many fans she has inspired by creating honest and vulnerable songs.
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“I never imagined that people would connect with my songwriting in the way that they have,” she told Us. “I always felt like I was a personal songwriter, but until I wrote my album, 29: Written in Stone, I just had no idea how much being vulnerable was going to be an asset of mine and a strength.”
“I don’t take for granted that people come to my shows to feel understood,” Pearce continued, “and I write music so that maybe I can help myself feel understood. It’s a really amazing thing.”
In between tour stops, we asked Pearce to Make Us a Mixtape of some of her favorite songs. Keep reading to see the tracks that left a lasting impact on her heart.
Song That Reminds Carly of Her Childhood:
“Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks. I think I was in elementary school just dreaming of singing country music. I was probably playing my first talent show with that song.
Song That Carly Sings in the Car When No One Is Watching:
I feel like any Shania Twain song. We’ll go with “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” Everybody knows that one.
Song That Makes Carly Cry:
There are so many! I’m gonna say “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” [by John Mayer]. There’s something so heartbreaking about that song. I think it’s just the idea of the realization that the relationship is slowly dying the way that he wrote it. As a songwriter, it’s a song that I wish I would have written.
Song That Reminds Carly of Summertime:
Anything Kenny Chesney, but I’ll specifically say “Anything But Mine.” I love him. He’s so good live.
Song by One of Carly’s Idols That Always Inspires Her:
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton because it’s so honest, so vulnerable and so iconic.
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Song Carly Recommends for a First Date:
I don’t know if it’s a first date. Maybe you’re just really feeling the first date, but I think one of the most romantic, hottest songs is “Violins” by Amos Lee. You’re probably making out at that point.
Song That Gets Carly and Everyone Around Her Dancing:
Oh, I know it works for my tour bus full of married men. It has to be “Formation” by Beyoncé. It is something, I promise.
To hear more from Pearce as she continues her world tour, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.
