Carly Pearce is the real deal.
She took home the Female Vocalist of the Year award last night at the CMAs, her first time winning that award, and for me, it was one of the highlights of the whole show.
When Amy Grant and Lauren Daigle called her name, Carly was absolutely stunned and clearly couldn’t believe she won. As she excitedly headed towards the stage, her friend and collaborator, Ashley McBryde, helped her up the stairs.
Carly stopped at the top of the steps and crouched down, overwhelmed by emotion and trying to collect herself before she had to give a speech.
When she got to the podium, she admits that she was completely shocked to hear her name called:
“I really didn’t think this was gonna happen.”
Still having a hard time getting the words out, she looked over to Ashley and just said “Help me”.
And ladies, get you a friend like Ashley McBryde, because she walked right up those stairs and started talking for Carly until she had a second to collect herself.
It was a small moment, but it was one of my favorites because it represented everything it means and should be to be a women in country music.
Ashley stepped up and said a few words for her:
“What she meant to say was…
There’s a lot of love, respect and admiration in the category.”
Then, as Carly was ready to talk again, Ashley gracefully bowed out and let her continue.
Carly gave a great speech, noting how much it meant to her to win this award because of how much she love and cares about country music:
“I wanna thank God. I wanna thank my record label, Scott Borchetta and Big Machine records. Clint Higham, Kyle Quigley, Jason Bastin, Holly Gleason, Mark Dennis, I know you’re out here.
I’ve had just like a crazy year, and I just want you guys to know that this means everything to me.
Country music saved me in a time when I need and I just want you guys to that this is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world, and I just hope you know that country music is all I love. Thank you so much.”
And, when she says she’s had a wild year, she means it. She released her 29 EP back in February, accomplished a lifelong dream being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and more recently, released a fantastic album, 29: Written In Stone.
She’s a breath of fresh air and a bright spot in the genre. The CMAs got this one absolutely right last night, because no one deserved this award more than Carly:
I mean, really, though:
