Carly Pearce

Carly Pearce was married to fellow country singer Michael Ray from October 2019 until their divorce in June 2020. Their separation later became part of the emotional background for her EP 29, which also addressed the death of her longtime producer, Busbee.

Pearce dated former Minor League Baseball player Riley King beginning in 2021, and they separated in 2023. She later dated drummer B.C. Taylor, who was a member of her performing band, before their relationship ended by the summer of 2024. In July 2025, Pearce announced that she was in a relationship with entrepreneur Jordan Karcher.

Pearce began performing professionally at age 11, when she joined a bluegrass band. She also sang in churches, tent revival shows, and other venues, including a boys prison. Her grandparents introduced her to country music, and her stage name came from her grandfather's surname.

At 16, Pearce auditioned for the Country Crossroads show at Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park associated with Dolly Parton. After getting the job, she persuaded her parents to move to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and performed at Dollywood five times a week, often appearing in several shows each day. She also contributed vocals to bluegrass compilation albums.

Pearce moved to Nashville at 19 to pursue a country music career. She signed a developmental deal with Sony Music Nashville in 2012, but lost the deal after the producer connected to the project was dismissed. While working part-time jobs, she met Pete Fisher, who gave her an opportunity to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015. Fisher later introduced her to producer Busbee, who signed her to a developing artist deal.

Pearce's self-written song "Every Little Thing" was initially released independently in 2016. After SiriusXM's The Highway gave it widespread airplay, the song attracted interest from record labels, leading Pearce to sign with Big Machine Records.

Released to country radio in 2017, "Every Little Thing" became Pearce's first major hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, number five on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and earned a gold certification in the United States. Her debut album, Every Little Thing, reached number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Pearce followed the album with "Hide the Wine," which reached number 13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2018. She also toured with Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Blake Shelton. In 2019, she released "I Hope You're Happy Now," a duet with Lee Brice that became her second Country Airplay number one.

Pearce's self-titled second studio album was released in 2020 and reached number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It was Busbee's final production project before his death in 2019.

In 2021, Pearce released the seven-song EP 29, whose title referred to personal setbacks during her twenty-ninth year. She expanded the project into her third studio album, 29: Written in Stone, released in September 2021. The album reached number nine on the Billboard country albums chart and included "Never Wanted to Be That Girl," a duet with Ashley McBryde.

"Never Wanted to Be That Girl" became Pearce's third Country Airplay number one and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Pearce was invited by Dolly Parton to become a Grand Ole Opry member in 2021. She later recorded 29: Written in Stone (Live from Music City), her first live album, released in 2023.

Pearce released Hummingbird in June 2024. Its lead single, "We Don't Fight Anymore," features harmony vocals from Chris Stapleton and reached the country top ten. The album rose to number 31 on the US country albums chart, and its deluxe edition, Hummingbird: No Rain, No Flowers, followed in March 2025.

Her other major releases include the singles "Next Girl" and "What He Didn't Do." The latter reached number one on the Aircheck/Mediabase chart and became the first solo song by a woman to top the country radio charts in 80 weeks. Pearce announced the single "Dream Come True" as the lead release from her fifth studio album, followed by the Riley Green duet "If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay."

Pearce's music combines contemporary country with bluegrass influences. Her early work with a bluegrass band shaped her approach, while Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, and Rhonda Vincent are among the artists she has credited as influences. She has also cited Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, and Faith Hill as important inspirations.

Pearce has received four Academy of Country Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards, one CMT Music Award, and one Grammy Award. She has also performed as an opening act for Lady A's What a Song Can Do Tour and collaborated with the group on "Friends Don't Let Friends."