Category: Country

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It’s not everyday you can see someone making a lifetime career fresh into the spotlight. Leave it to the one and only Dolly Parton to help good talent shine through when she sees it. Haha ok… maybe it wasn’t actually Dolly who discovered Carly Pearce, but singing at the Dollywood theme park definitely boosted the momentum of her impending-to-now stardom. After a short, 4-year glitch, recovering from a record deal gone wrong; Pearce began the ascension to musical glory.

Upon the release of a duet with Josh Abbott “Wasn’t That Drunk,”Pearce found herself garnering much more serious airplay. But then, with the assistance and magic of producer Busbee, Carly Pearce soon found herself becoming a household name. With the release of “Every Little Thing” in 2017, that was the moment the singer’s world changed. That one song melted the hearts of all those who feel the sorrow and pain, etched in memory, of a love gone terribly wrong; but some of it still felt so right. Soon to follow, we got a peak of her lighters side on “Hide the Wine.” It was fun, flirty, and was a great compliment to her debut single. We got to see how quick-changing and versatile Carly Pearce’s writing can be while allowing her true personality to showcase in her music.

Carly Pearce, Every Little Thing

It took three years to 2020, to garner new material from Pearce. She was busy riding high on tours with the likes of big names like Lady Antebellum & Hunter Hayes, and Rascal Flatts; even headlining her very own Way Back Tour with Russell Dickerson. On a more personal note, her 2019-2020 year was her rollercoaster to ride. From turning 30 to marrying and divorcing fellow country musician Michael Ray, to the uncertainty of COVID-19, and ultimately to losing her greatest friend and mentor of the music world – renowned music producer, Busbee; Carly Pearce swore off the negativity of the past year with hit music. Her eponymous second album Carly Pearce, made major headway with “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” The single shot up faster than any of her previous work, thus accrediting her multiple nominations and wins across the plethora of country music award shows throughout the year. While more upbeat, “I Hope Your Happy Now” was right in Pearce’s element of tugging on your heartstrings, as Lee Brice lent his vocals and musical prowess for the other half of this ‘blame it on me,’ touch-of-pop single. The album also included promotional hits like: “Closer to You” (one of my personal favorites), “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” and “Call Me.” Other songs including:”Dashboard Jesus,” and “Finish Your Sentences” (ironically enough, which was a duet with her now ex-husband Michael Ray). The album was severely undersold with just the attention on the two singles, whereas, more attention on my favorites and “Call Me” would have given a longer lifespan to the album’s popularity.

As the new year began, Carly reclaimed 2021 as her personal rise back on top of her confidence and creative artistry. She released her third round of music in February of this year. The lead single “Next Girl” was an ode to that same feeling of saying goodbye to the divorce drama. Alerting the new beau that the singer sees her ex out with, she pulls her aside and lets her in on all the phrases and attempts at wooing the guy puts into motion over the new girl. “Should’ve Known Better” follows with a roll-with-the-punches attitude. The singer proclaims, “I gave you my heart. You let it go to waste.” She says of how the relationship should’ve never progressed at the first red flags. The title track explains of how it is the age where, in her mind or what she’s been lead to believe, everything is suppose to go to pure independence. But, all that happened was it became the year “she’ll never live down.” If this the album didn’t have you stuck feeling heartbroken already. The major loss of Busbee to Carly and the music industry overall is showcased in plain view on “Show Me Around.” The song, while sorrowful of his passing, is a shining example of hoping to see him in the hereafter and that he will reunite to show Pearce all he has seen and done since leaving the world. It is a thrilling example of imagery and wonder that Carly Pearce effortlessly puts to good use, and Lord knows Busbee would be so proud and honored.

The EP 29, allows us just enough ear candy for our pleasure and satisfaction. While it does have an overall somber tone to it, the mini-album still shines with glimmers of hope and resilience. Pearce knows full well how to captivate her audience. Her method to blend pop vocals with a 90s-styled country lyric theme and band, puts the singer well within the ranks of her top competition of Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and Carrie Underwood. Carly Pearce has everything to gain from being the “new kid on the block.” She has the young vibrancy, and soothing voice, with the tone, soul and heart of her predecessors like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and even Alison Krauss. If you haven’t touched this EP yet, you ‘should’ve known better’ than to keep waiting on a masterpiece like 29.

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It’s no secret Kristin Chenoweth has established herself as a legend in her own right. Now she uses her prominece to give light to the some of the vocal legendary women that came before her.

“The Way We Were” – It’s the wish-I-could-turn-back-time song that defined Barbra Streisand’s artistry. Chenoweth, with her bravado and jaw-dropping cadence, She knows how to turn a classic and make it all her own.

“You Don’t Own Me” (feat. Ariana Grande) – It is a rise-up anthem to take back a woman’s own life. Ariana brings her vocal prowess to the song and blends beautifully with Chenoweth’s simplistic tone. Together, they create a strong, united front to tear down any man’s narcissism and overconfidence; should that man be so headstrong.

“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Putting a country twist on Linda Ronstadt’s record, Chenoweth tackles the song with a laid-back style all her own. Coming to terms that she can’t go back to how things were, she accepts moving on and proclaims they both go their own way in life.

“I Will Always Love You” (feat. Dolly Parton) – Who hasn’t touched this classic, or at least heard it? The song that lives on to touch deep into souls and is interpreted in countless ways, becomes a duet of beauty and purity. Dolly Parton joins Kristin as they bid each other adeu for a wondrous tribute cover.

“What A Difference A Day Makes” – Spinning into the Jazz genre, a soft and elegant song takes shape. Knowing there is always a better day ahead to change a mind, or realize it wasn’t meant to be. In this case, all positivity shines through.

“When I Fall In Love” – Conditionally, love is so much more than just a feeling or action. Rather it is based on an intensity and what we set as our final destination for landing into someone else’s heart. It’s a perfect song that fits Chenoweth perfectly.

“Crazy” – As the piano sets in for the final Jazz number, it tells of a swell of feelings and emotions that the songstress cannot wrap her mind and heart around at first. At the end of the day, she is crazy either way she continues down her path but, ends in good nature.

“The Man That Got Away” – Everything has progressed and the woman is meandering through her life now, simply because of the man that she wishes she could have back. We move on sometimes, never knowing how good someone was until the void sets in. Hope is all she has, that someday she will see that man again but, understands that it is a distant dream.

“I’m A Woman” (feat. Jennifer Hudson, and Reba McEntire) – Everything is possible in this song. This triple threat serves up a sassy take on a song that pays homage to all of a woman’s capabilities. It speaks to how much one woman can handle on a day-to-day basis. It is perfect for throwing back at someone who questions how one can do so much and still have time for themselves.

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” – It lends to the question, does love last more than a moment, a night, a passionate feeling? Or, will one of the two involved stay and cultivate the feeling into something deeper? The song fits the album perfectly as it winds down its main tracklisting.

“I Wanna Be Around” – The song is a sweet vindictive tune that hopes the end result of the next love affair goes south. The woman is jilted and does not want to see the happiness bloom more than it did with her. The woman wants to witness it all first-hand so that she has a sense of closure and satisfaction. It serves well to Kristin’s voice, as the build up is right up her vocal alley.

“Desperado” (Target Bonus Track) – Singing of a tale of someone who just wants to find some solid ground, the song is a traveler’s song. It lends to wonder if the person in question will ever find what they are searching for. Is it the overemotion they are feeling or is it the inability to “let somebody love” them? It’s a great song for us to look deep within ourselves.

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (feat. Steve Tyrell) (Target Bonus Track) – The title is exactly how the song portrays. It is a happy-go-lucky, partnership song that sings of true togetherness. Yes, the weather may be cold, but the love is strong between the duo. It is the complimentary teamwork of the duet that serves as a strong contender for the top track of the album.

“I Wish You Love” (Target Bonus Track) – It might be best recognized lyrically as the companion to Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”. The song is probably the most elegant and second most vocally challenging for the everyday singer. It is a beautiful ending to a record dedicated to the legendary women of yesterday.

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  1. Who are some of your influences?

Cassadee Pope, Kacey Musgraves,Taylor Swift,  Hannah Ellis, and Shinedown would definitely be a few of my biggest influences for this record. 

2. When and where did you come up with the concept for “21”.

So, I wrote “Him” after coming home from my boyfriend’s house and something just hit me. Throughout my 21st year of life, I went through a lot mentally and emotionally. Not only was I tackling college, two jobs, and an internship, but I was also going through a tough breakup after having been together for four years and falling out of love awhile prior to the breakup. After the breakup, I started going through another romantic situation with a friend that just went south. For a while, I was really down on myself in the world of romance and I just didn’t think true love existed… Then unexpectedly, I fell in love again with my current boyfriend and he literally brought out the music in me. He was the ultimate reward to one of the toughest years of my life and once I wrote, “Him,” I was inspired to tell the story of my 21st year of life after not writing, or playing music for over a year. 

3. How did you come about recording your first album?

We recorded, “Him,” first in November of 2018 and then I released the news about the single on my 22nd birthday (December 3, 2018). I also announced that I would be releasing a full-length album titled, ‘21,’ later in 2019.  We didn’t actually record the rest of the album until March of 2019 and it took about two months total to record and really put it together collectively and creatively. I will never forget the last night we spent recording the album, it was like 2 AM one night in April after an award show the music department was hosting at my college, Monmouth University.  We recorded the final two vocals that night and then the record was done. It was the best feeling ever.

4. What was your favorite track to record?

My favorite record was definitely the second single I released off the album which was, “More.”  It’s the last song on the record. It is the last because it makes me feel strong and empowered about who I am both as an individual and an artist in particular going forward. The rest of the album kind of resembles who I was when I was 21 and who I used to be. “More” is who I feel like I am now that I am in a better place in my life and it is the foreshadow of the sound and vulnerability that is to come next in my future music.

5. Do you feel pulled more towards one genre of music over another?

I feel that we morph into what inspires us, specifically as a musician. As you go through different experiences and life events, you become a part of that scene, or culture that is surrounding you at that moment. Same thing with music. I listened to a lot of different music. I am rooted in pop punk, but I love pop and country music. I feel like there will always be a little pop punk in my music because of those roots, but that is what makes me Kelli Faith and not someone else.  It feels very natural as I just build upon myself and the music I create to become an embodiment of everything I am inspired by.

6. As a women in music, how do you see yourself in contributing to the music scene, and your growth as an artist?

Early on, I felt like I could not write love songs because it was such a stereotype, then as I grew into my artist persona as Kelli Faith; I came to understand that it did not matter what I was writing about because I was writing from my own heart and my own perspective. I saw a lot of male artists like Maroon 5, or Ed Sheeran make hits from love songs countless times over and no one’s ever judged them for any of those songs. So, in response to experiencing all of this, I stopped caring about what others might think about me, or what I had to say in my music. Instead, I let my heart take the reigns and my emotions do the driving. I feel like my music could inspire more women to allow themselves to be emotional and authentic in their own music. ‘21’ taught me not to hold back and that is what I want to help other women, and just anyone in general, and/or in music do.

7. Who are some of the personalities that helped you craft “21”?

Craig Smith and Alex Peragine helped me mix, master, produce, and record the entire record. They were essential to building the framework of the album, I am incredibly grateful. I had a lot of instrumental production behind my record as well, including: Dee DiMeola, Cassidy Crosby, Julia Whary, and Jay Sweet. Lastly, the promotional team really brought out the best content to display ‘21’ in its final stages: Summer DeFalco for photography, Nicole Govel for the album artwork, Jenna Bruno for PR, Angelica Pasquali and Nicole Diglio for the logo and video content you will see in the coming weeks. Kris Khunachek also produced the music video for “More” and he is simply amazing.

8. Who would you dream of touring with if you should blossom further into your music career?

I think that would definitely be Cassadee Pope. I feel like  I would be the perfect opener for her shows. I would never want to be so big of an artist where I couldn’t go outside into the public eye by myself. I feel that her artistry and energy very much aligns to mine, so that really attracts me to her and other artists like Kacey Musgraves.  Kacey Musgraves is just on a bit of a larger scale, but if that were to ever happen, anything is a dream to be honest.

9. How do you feel your schooling or your growth inspired your artistry?

What came out of Monmouth University were the connections and friendships that allowed me to explore my creativity. I gained a large understanding from a PR class on branding and etc, however, the majority of my inspiration and thought process behind the album did not come from schooling or lessons, but the connections I made throughout college.

10. What’s next after “21”?

There will be another music video coming in the future for sure. Be prepared for a small tour once the album gets released probably later in the winter. Like I had mentioned before, ‘21’ taught me to not hold back, so I think whatever music is to come, will definitely demonstrate a new side to Kelli Faith. A lot has happened in the making of this album and I think it truly curated a perfect setup to my future music.