Carly Pearce is enjoying every little bit of her 30s.
The “Country Music Made Me Do It” singer, 33, talked to PEOPLE about what makes this period of her life feel different from others before taking the stage in New York City to play All for on Tuesday night the Hall.
“I literally do what I love every day. I became the artist I always wanted to be. I can sing the songs I’ve always wanted to and write the music I’ve wanted to, be a part of the events I’ve always wanted to be at, she said ahead of a performance that benefited the Country Music Hall of Fame. and the Museum. “I’m not chasing anything anymore and that feels really good.”
Pearce, who is gearing up for a headlining tour in October while also gearing up to release a new album, noted that she’s had a lot of ups and downs in her late 20s, including marrying and divorcing Michael Ray in the same year (she was 29 — which has since served as inspiration for her 2021 self-titled album. 29: Written in stone).
Carly Pearce performs at All for the Hall on September 12, 2023 in New York City.
Jared Siskin/Getty
“It’s such a pivotal record, but also a really painful time for me. I feel like more than anything, what 29 did for me solidified who I am as a performer. The traditional side of country music is very important to me, so we’re actually doubling down on that,” she explained about how she plans to be involved musically in the new album.
“So much has happened to me in the last few years in my personal and professional life, and I feel even more confident that I can put my flag on the ground with everything that I am.”
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Pearce ended up taking the stage at the benefit alongside Country Music Hall of Famers Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris and her partner in crime Ashley McBryde, with whom she won a 2023 Grammy for their duet “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.”
“It will be very full circle to play this song [Ashley] tonight. Sitting next to someone who you’ve had success with, who you also admire so much, is really cool,” she said.
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Carly Pearce, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Ashley McBryde in New York on September 12, 2023.
Jared Siskin/Getty
For her part, McBryde shared Pearce’s excitement at being able to perform the song together, though she did express a little logistical concern to PEOPLE:
“I thought, oh, Carly’s here. We have to do [“Never Wanted to Be That Girl”]. And the funny thing is, if I’m doing it on my show and she’s doing it on her show, now we’ve probably forgotten who’s saying what!” she jokes.
(The two, in fact, did not forget.)
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As for what makes Pearce most proud and passionate at 33?
“The 30s are my favorite time of life and I feel the most myself,” she said, adding: “which I think only I feel very happy about.”
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Source: HIS Education