Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Carly Pearce | Started from Dollywood, Now We’re Here (Touring the World)!

Episode Date: April 1, 2025

#828. Country star Carly Pearce joins Kaitlyn to share her wild ride from Dollywood performer to Grammy-winning artist. She dishes on surreal moments from her world tour, her hilarious on-stage mishaps (including that time she fell mid-song), and even a too-real embarrassing moment that involves... well, poop. Plus, Carly opens up about finding peace in her 30s and embracing this exciting new season of life.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Covergirl: Superboost your lashes with NEW Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara from COVERGIRL! Clump-free, smudge-free, and lasts up to 24 hours—perfect for any look! Only from Easy, Breezy, Beautiful COVERGIRL.Better Help: Visit BetterHelp.com/VINE to get 10% off your first month.Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:(14:52) – The viral on-stage fall!(24:02) – When Kaitlyn had Carly’s back after “the boy who bamboozled” her(31:00) – Carly’s experience working at Dollywood and how it became a full circle moment(42:04) – Carly’s most embarrassing moment revealedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Conix Ontario at 1866-531-2600 to speak to a advisor free of charge but mGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with eye gaming ontario this episode of off the vine is brought to you by covergirl super boost your lashes with new lash blast super cloud mascara from cover girl clump free smudge free and lasts up to 24 hours perfect for literally any look only from easy breezy beautiful cover girl better help visit betterhelp dot com slash vine to get 10% off your first month and progressive visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance You're listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow.

All right, welcome to Off the Vine. You know I love when my friends come back on the pod. And today we have a three-peak guest, the one, the only Grammy-winning, CMA-Slaying, country queen, my friend, Carly Pierce. She's been busy selling out shows across the world and dropping new music. Not a big deal. So we have so much to catch up on and I'm excited for you to hear our conversation. Let's talk about your hummingbird world tour. World tour?

Like, do you say that sometimes? You're like, I started from Dollywood. Now I'm on a world tour. Now you're on a world tour. Like, that's selling out shows in the UK is something that I'm like, that's goals. We just got back. I was there for the whole month of February. Yeah.

And it truly was some of my favorite shows of my career. Really? Yes. Tell me why. The fans over there. And, you know, you have these fans in America. as well but they just aren't as united i guess but the fans over there they just love album cuts they listen they care about songwriting they care about like all these little things that you've put together

for an album they just get it there's it's almost like you're playing these big venues but it feels like the blue word cafe in national and that's like who i am and so i just go over there and i'm like i think i'm moving here i love all of you i come with yes let's go i it's like my dream one day to either live like some just i want to be one with the europeans yes they get it they do they do every way too like they're they're friendly they're they care about the environment they're healthy they're healthy yes their food is not full of shit if even i had macdonalds over there and i was like wow this doesn't taste as good and then i was like oh probably because it's not you know i think macdonald's over there tastes better you do yes maybe it's not like it's just nasty for me well you're you're speaking to somebody who

literally my love language is McDonald's. Like, I love McDonald's so much. I used to go in the high school that I went to in my small town growing up. There was only one McDonald's. I'd go there every single day for lunch. Stop it. And they knew what a McKeelan was. A McKeatlin? Yeah. Stop it. It's a cheeseburger.

And then you put fries on the cheeseburger with mayonnaise on the fries on the cheeseburger. Oh. So good. And they knew. I went every single day. It was crazy. I'm like, that is not good for you. But you like it better over there. I like it better over there. I mean, I definitely don't feel.

is bad. I think maybe that's why. Yeah. Because when I lived in Germany, I ate McDonald's there a lot and I was always like I felt like energized. Totally. Like I felt like nourished. I ate like pasta, bread, like all these things and I just didn't feel bad. Even their beer and wine are like legally made with certain ingredients. Like beer can only have three certain ingredients in it in Europe like hops, barley and alcohol. They're just better. And so it's just like, oh, a Guinness. in Ireland. Nothing better. Oh, my band, they had quite a few.

Really? We went out one night in Dublin. And they ginnissed it up and I drank really bad Prosecco and had a headache. Oh, shoot. I'm not, I can't drink beer. I can. I can. I can in Europe.

Yeah, over there, I can. I can drink Guinness and Guinness in Europe is really where it's at. Dublin's like one of my favorite places too. Okay, so world tour, you're just crushing it. I was going to ask the difference about the fans, but you kind of just talked about it because I've talked to other country artists just like recently too and they said that they really appreciate the music over there

yeah and I don't know I mean obviously we have a festival it's actually going on right now I played it last year called C to C to C country to country festival where a lot of us go over together and kind of put on a festival yeah so it's not like it's a new thing that country artists are going over there but I just feel like right now there is just they are so excited about every country artist coming over yeah that's fun I feel like Canada is kind of like that too Canada is amazing to play like Canadians really do love them

country music they do yeah that's cool like what is the most surreal moment of being on a world tour was there something that stood out where you're like that was that was a moment i mean they it's so funny over there they love to give you really long like applausees oh and sometimes they do standing ovations like in the world of your set so i'll play like my most ballad ballad that i can't play in america because at a country festival they're like stop with the ballads more beer Play a bomb. Yeah. And they just applaud several shows.

It was like over a minute where we couldn't start talking or playing because they just loved it. The most validating feeling of all time. I sent a voice text to my manager and I was like, I swear I'm completely sober. I feel the most understood I've ever felt my life over here. I love it. Yeah. I was just like, ah, I loved it. You feel like your talent is like respected and you feel seen.

And it's, I always think that when I'm at a concert, I look around always, I'm like, do people even hear the lyrics? Or are we just like all trying to get drunk and have a good time, which is great too. Yeah. I like, because I always, I love listening to people's lyrics. And I would like to go. Actually, now that's all my bucket list. I want to go to a country show in Europe or the UK. You should.

Yeah. They just, they get it. They get it. Yeah. Or at least they get me. I love them. That's amazing. Maybe when you share this episode, I'll get a bunch of European fans, and then I can go do off the vine.

They would be right in it. They would be there forever. They'd be hanging on every word. Would they laugh at my jokes, though? Yes, they would laugh at your jokes. Really? Yes. Now, maybe not in Germany because the language barrier, but they might, I don't know.

Who knows? I love them. Yeah. If I had somebody stand up and give me applause for over a minute, I really would feel seen. I was like, I feel like I could do anything. I was joking. I was like, am I Carrie Underwood? I'm not sure.

I know. I don't probably feel like that if I was just doing like a live podcast. What's something about touring internationally that people might not realize is actually really hard? So we travel on a tour bus, which is fine. And the tour buses over there are fine. They, if you're tall, you have to kind of bend down because the ceiling is lower than America. In the bus?

Yes. So you would think that's not that bad, but when you're on it for a month. Yeah, that's a lot. It's a little hard. But you have to take, if you go from like the UK to Ireland, you take a ferry ride. So your tour bus literally gets on, like a cruise ship pretty much. I don't like that. So like the motions, just like traveling like that is a lot.

Food can be different. You know, I would get scared of like, oh, is this going to make my stomach hurt for my show? And the time difference, just like you're living in a different way. I don't even think about the damn time difference. That would throw me off so hard. I always go. I've learned because I've been several times. I go like a few days for fun just to get acclimated and then we start working.

Oh, that's nice. God, that's my dream. I want to do a world tour. You got to do it. I know world tour just also makes you feel like Carrie Underwood. Yeah. Like saying world tour and selling out. It was fun.

A world tour. I'm so proud of you. Thanks. That's so freaking cool. What is, I know the tour bus is difficult, but what's one thing you need to have on your tour bus? That's like, if I don't have that, I'm going to lose my noodle. Ooh. I mean, I need wine and running shoes. I love to run. And I feel like that's something I can do anywhere. I don't need to go to a gym.

Yeah, you are a runner. I know. I forget you're one of those. I'm one of those weird people. If I don't run, I'm like, wait. No, I want to be one of those weird people. I just can't. I can't just put all my shoes and run. I'm like, within 30 seconds, I'm like, done. I know. I feel like you're either a runner or you're not. But I get just some kind of like mental. I'm like, that was lifting weights. Okay. See, I have to lift weights. Somebody has to tell me what to do or I'm not going to do it. Same. Okay. Yeah. But I don't love it like I love running. Oh, see, and I love it. See, I walk out of lifting weights like, my testosterone is just jacked and I'm like, I love it so much. Wait, so when you go to Europe, you probably can't bring Johnny and June. Johnny and June stay with my parents. They stay with Gamon, Gamon. Yeah, so it's a little hard. They have dogs too, right? They have, we have like a whole country music family down there. Yes. They have animals and they keep them sometimes just because I know certain

dogs are really good at being on the road. Johnny and June, they like it for like a minute and then they're good. They don't love it. Well, and it's nice to know they're with like your family and they're like so happy. They're so happy. They love my dad more than any of us. Do you have a dream venue that you haven't played at? The Greek theater. I want to play there. I love a theater. That's like my thing. But that's one that I haven't got to play that I'd love to. That would be really cool. Yeah, theaters are I mean, even just doing theaters from the Dancing with the Stars tour, I was like, God, it's just so, I don't know what it is about a theater. It feels more intimate, I guess. And like old school and traditional and. Yeah, there's something about still being able to connect

with people. And I, I, when you come to my show, it's not like, you've been to them. It's not like fireworks and video walls and all this stuff. And I know that was awesome for some people. But for me, it's really about that connection. So it's harder for me to do that if it's an arena or stadium. I just like the theater. That's a good point. Wait, actually, I think that really showcases your, like, voice and your, I just, I've always said this too, but like, you're, you're such a historic voice. Is that what I'm trying to say? What is the, what I'm, like, you really have that authentic country. Timeless. Timeless. I didn't want to say it, but I was like, I think that's what she wants. That's exactly the word that I was looking for. You have a timeless voice and I feel like when people come to your shows, it's like so impressive because you're not distracted by everything. You're like in it. My favorite shows to go to are shows at like the Ryman where it's just the artist and like their band and they're just that good.

So I just aspire to create like music and a performance that's that same way. But also I want people to get to know me. I don't want them to just come and watch me sing. Yeah, you're fun on stage. I actually really enjoy your shows because you do. I feel like you connect really well with a crowd. I like it. Yeah.

That's why I like it. You can tell you like it too, which is also very important. Have you ever been to a show where you can tell somebody who doesn't watch? to be there? I don't think I have. That would, I mean, I've, I've played shows I didn't want to be there at. Really? Yeah. I'm sure that you just got to turn it on. You know. You do have to turn it on. God, I remember being like, even right now, I'm turning it on for you. I'm not because my Advil finally kicked in, but I saw your story. Oh, God, the cramps. I'm like, why do I have to suffer so bad every month? It's so funny because I was June, speaking of my little dogs, has kennel

cough which I you know had that once oh my god it sounds like she's like dying it's so sad it's like i said to i have a couple girlfriends that i saw this morning and i was like how you guys have children like how do you handle them being sick because literally she would cough or sneeze and i was like oh i know what did they say because i would be i don't know how she literally said sit there and watch make sure they breathe yeah so i was like okay i'm doing that with my dog but oh my gosh kennel cough it broke my heart when pino had that i know cough and he was so helpless i know but she's still playing then she'll cough i'm like stop so i was up all night too oh i'm sorry no i'm sorry for you a single mom who works too hard that's us that's us everyone this hates us they're like

whatever like oh no you have cute dogs your don't cramps i do i get it so bad though i really i was like when i got home yesterday from walking the boys i had to grab onto the counter and moan i was in so much pain. Oh. Like I actually was like, oh, I wish I had my, the camera in my house. I wish it was facing me and caught that because I literally looked like I was going into labor. I'm very lucky. I don't have bad cramps. I never have. So I'm like very thankful. I didn't until later in my life because degenerative, I don't know, uterus, what's going on? I have like fibroids everywhere and I'm like, cool, cool, cool, cool. Great. Thank you. Like now the cramps come. I'm like, can't I get a break? Oh, do you get homesick? Yes. You do. Yes. Yes.

Okay. Like, is there a certain amount of time where you're like, I'm ready to go home? I don't like, even like a 10-day stretch. Yeah. I think that's kind of when I start to be like, okay, I'm just a home body. Which is kind of interesting to think about what I do for a living. I think a lot of artists are. Especially, you know, I've been doing this almost 10 years.

Yeah. There's just like this point now where like I own a home and I just have put a lot of my heart into it. You get it. It's like, I just, I love. being here there's something about it that I really love you've made it your home yeah I feel like people who do we're we're so lucky to get to be able to travel all the time but it really makes you appreciate home totally so much more where people I do feel like because were you always a homebody like your light your whole life or was it once you started like traveling the world and being like

I'm tired I'm appreciating homework it's that yeah it's that for sure I'm like I love to go the grocery store I love to do laundry now and people are like what I'm like no like that's like a normalcy to me like walking down the street in my neighborhood or whatever i still laugh at your fail fall and how you did that uh-huh and it was like boom boom and you just kept landing on your tailbone that was one of my favorite videos ever but what is what has been your like biggest tour fail so far that really literally let me set the scene for you because it was an unfortunate day for me okay so we're playing a festival or i'm sorry like a fair in iowa yeah which Which Iowa fairs, they go hard.

They do go hard. I actually really love it. I've heard that. Yeah, they are, you get to a venue or you get to like a field and you're like, nobody's going to be here. And then everybody shows up. I was sick. I had some kind of like bronchitis thing.

How the fuck do you sing with bronchitis? Oh, it. Well. So I take all this medication. Oh no. And I kind of overmedicate. I'm a little bit of like a, I don't know what that is. What is that called?

Like, I do everything to an extreme level. Kind of. I'm like, I do a lot of pills. I'm a little bit of an extremist in everything. So like, you know, when they're like, oh, you should only take one puff of afrin every two hours. I'm like huffing it, trying to be able to sing. So I'm like taking aphrine, taking other medication. So I get ready to get up on stage to sing and it had been raining. And then I'm like, you know when you're sick and you're like sweating? So I'm sweating. I don't want to sing. I have like tons of extensions in. fake eyelashes on makeup and I feel like shit. Yeah. And I'm on like my third song. So we're in like the very beginning of a 90 minute show. Oh gosh. So I'm like, and I'm singing Next Girl.

And I walk down the catwalk. So I'm like really close to these people. Yeah. So I fall and my bass player said he saw it happen and he was like, oh my God, but I got back up so fast. And we all joke like my lyrics. my song are like, I bet you probably met him at a bar. So I missed, I met you probably met him.

And all of a sudden I just, I'm getting up and I go, at a bar. I got just so defeated. I was like, and I had this moment after that where I thought I was going to start crying. I think I did cry a little bit. Yeah.

And I was like, oh, I'm so embarrassed. Like I want to run off stage. I hate this. Yeah. And I just kept going. And then afterwards we put out of like a little Instagram video and we're like, if you have a video,

if you were there tonight, you know send the video and we got that angle and my assistant Sydney she sent she's like you need to let me do this you need to let me make this video and so Sydney made it and it's to this day I gained over a hundred thousand followers over that video and it is my most you know I make all these like heartfelt moments no nope it was that and Gwen Stefani I know her and she was like this is amazing yeah that's awesome oh yeah because didn't you tour with Blank yeah oh my god that's oh my god that's so funny but I wanted I wanted to cry well I feel like that even when I'm by myself and I fall I like want to cry after because I'm like I feel sorry for myself I'm like oh that was embarrassing

it was so embarrassing and like I was so close to people at that point I wasn't like back off the stage I was like on the catwalk I'm like at a bar now I want to see because I've only seen the edited one of you falling I'll show you it's bad oh that must be so hard to not feel well and do a full performance. I just had, I had, world tour, I got the flu. No. And you still performed. Yeah.

Again, extremist jacked up on prednisone and was able to do it. I would be like, hey, guys, I'm sorry about this one. I'm out. I was like, sweating. I'm like, okay, it's fine. Like, do you tell them while you're out there? You're like, I've got the flu. I'm not well.

Yes. Because if an artist did that, I would be like, I would like stand up. They were in it. Yeah, okay. Yeah, I mean, you know, if you're on your deathbed, you can't do it. Right. I see artists like, Kelsey had like a stomach bug and I was like, I'm out.

If I'm puking, I'm not coming out. Totally. I'm not going to put a trash can side stage. Like, I can't, she's like a warrior. No way. Yeah, I'm like, I'm good. Oh, no way. I'm like a flu.

I'm like a flu. I'm like, I just tell them. So I told them and it was awesome. Gosh, yeah, I would respect an artist so hard if they're out there with the flu and I paid to be there and you didn't cancel. I'd be like, but I also, I always feel so bad for artists when they have to cancel because they're like, I wouldn't do this unless I had to. And people get mad.

I'm like, you can't control. Oh, yeah, they get mad. They get mad over everything. You know, you could like sneeze wrong. And they're like, I didn't like that. I don't like that sneeze very much. If you could do it differently. Yeah, could you sneeze a little nicer?

Wait, do you read reviews from your, you do? Because your tour got incredible reviews. Oh, I thought you were going to say mean comments. Well, yes, I was going to ask that too. I did. I do, yes. I like to read them to see what parts. I kind of use it as like studying, like a review of.

just what stood out to somebody who goes to a lot of shows. Dropping the deluxe edition of Hummingbird today. Yes. With five new tracks, one of them, if looks could kill. And it's already getting so much buzz, which I've, I laughed so hard when I saw that because I was like, I know those looks from you. And I feel like I have the same looks. And you get it in your eyes when we talk about certain things.

And that's mean people. Yes. If looks can kill. Yes. But I was laughing because I'm like, I know Carly's look so well. Well, you know what's funny is I got the idea from that song kind of about the way people say that I, you know, that. Like you have like a look that people know what you mean.

But I was like, what if you spun that to like, because the whole song is like if looks could kill, meaning like the guy that you used to be with the way he's looking at another girl. Oh. So it's like taking on a different. Yeah, because you tease that online, right? Yeah.

It's like taking on that different meaning. mean, but I got it because of that. That's funny. Yeah. Oh, that's a good, yeah, because who hasn't experienced that? It's hard. Even if you're like, I don't even like you and I still don't like. Yeah, but now you like her, so maybe I do like you.

You're like, wait, am I fucked up? But that's, yeah, I saw you tease it online. And you said it was for anyone who's had a hard time watching someone move on, which everyone can relate to, like I said. But what would you say to someone listening who is going through that right now? Oh, just, I really do believe that if somebody leaves your life, there's a reason for it. And I know that is the most cliche thing in the whole world, but I feel like they just weren't yours to keep. Well, I like cliche because it's always a simple thought, but means so much.

Yeah. You know, like, they aren't supposed to be in your life, period. Totally. And like, I mean, that song, I've had that happen to me not that long ago. And, you know, I still look at this person and who. they're with now and it sucks but it still you have to believe that's what is meant for them yeah and you're going to find yours yeah and plus it's instagram we only put the highlights up you and i know what i do is like i'll have a glass or two of wine probably two if i'm doing this

and i'll just post something or like repost something or like something or comment on something and then the next morning i'm like oh yeah i did do it oops I love it. But sometimes being a little petty. I like a little petty. Only if they deserve a little pettiness. Yeah. Sometimes they do.

Oh, actually, let me play this audio because this I was like, I'm like, petty. I've been petty for you. Morning, cheers. Just, fuck. Do you know how bad I just want to say all the things I want to say so bad? And I cannot. I cannot because I'm too nice. And holy, it literally makes me so frustrated that I cried.

That's why I'm crying. I'm like, that's me. That is a conversation that I have, my managers here. I will call him. And we have that whole dialogue, I have that whole dialogue at him. It's not with him, at him. And then I'm like, okay, I got it out. Yeah.

Oh, sometimes that's all you need. Yeah, I agree. But I'm with you. I feel that so hard. Yeah, I'm like, this is where I see growth in myself, because I used to actually go and like, I'd put something on my story just to be like, see, everybody, look, I can tell you this.

You did it for me? I did do it for you. That was, that was legendary. That was like back in. Can we talk about it? Sure. Okay. I don't even remember his name right now.

Go ahead. We won't even say it. Yeah. The man. The man, just call him the man. The boy. The boy. The boy that bamboozled you.

Mm-hmm. when he bamboozled you, I was like so fired up for you. Remember when I was at dinner? I was at dinner with you and I was like, he did this and this and this. And you were like, oh, did he? And I was like, yeah, I can't really say anything. And you were like, I will. I was like, guess who can though?

I was so mad because I'm like, oh, you sweet little innocent soul too. You like had waited for the right one. And like then he does that to you. And I was just like, this guy can go absolutely. himself and my favorite is you said nothing it was all in the song that you posted and we're sitting there and I was like yeah yeah and then it was like everywhere and I was like my girl yeah got to have a girl's back you really do and we have had each other to do some weird shit I've I've left a few comments when they needed to be left on such people my favorite is that is just like the

subtleness of something or the not so subtleness of something yeah like Just straight up clown. Yeah. Call a clown, you know what I mean? Yeah, I'll do it. Call a clown a clown. Yeah. He did.

Wait, okay, stagecoach, big deal. So excited. I want to come. Oh my gosh, you should be. Why are you not going? Stage coach gives me so much anxiety. Fair, fair. I mean, I don't want to go as like a person out in the crowd.

You don't have to go as a person in the crowd. Just come hang out with me. Okay, maybe I'll come. It's in April, right? Mm-hmm. What is the vibe going to be like? Is it, you're on the main. stage this time that's freaking huge but do you have any like surprises planned or like do you know

what's happening yet i mean it's april have you yeah you like know what's going on i get to do something really cool i'm like unveiling something oh is that fine cool that's cool i'm like can i say that yeah it's and something that i was very honored that they asked me to do you'll understand but i get to play on a bill with like some of my favorite artists like i brothers osborne are some of my favorite guys yeah i love zach brian's music yeah launa del ray um, Sierra Farrell. She's like an incredible Americana artist. She just like won every Grammy she was up for. Really? Um, she's like a bluegrassy. Like I, it's just my kind of thing. Yeah. So I'm really excited. Wow. That's huge. Yeah. That's cool. Okay. Maybe I do want to go. I think you got to go.

Okay. Fine. But just expect a couple texts being like, help me. Yeah. You don't have to be. You don't have to be with the wannabe. I just get anxiety and crowds. Come on. We went to the People's Choice Country Awards together and we had a blast. Honestly, I am so happy. You talked to me to go in because I had the best night. It was so fun. That's what I'm telling you. That's why stage coach will be the same thing. I actually had so much fun and then I get mad at myself because I'm like, why would I get

in my head about something? No. Also, CMA Awards, your performance with Chris Stapleton. Yes. I just got goosebumps thinking about it. That was one of the more nerve. I don't really get nervous. I guess TV performances, I get a little nervous.

But to get to sing with, I mean, I think he's one of the greatest voices that will ever live in the history of life. Wow. And you got to. It was crazy. And he's the sweetest. his wife, Morgan. They're the nicest people in the whole world. I've heard that they're so nice. That's so, I mean, it's just like, do you ever pinch yourself? Because I know, I know how you are

because you're like me where you're like, okay, but what's next? And like, you're an achiever. You are and you do achieve. But do you ever take it in and just be like, I'm, I sold out a world tour. I did a duet with Chris Stapleton. I've won a Grammy. Like, do you ever just sit there and be like, me? You know what's really funny of like, I would, I would really say having, a song with Chris Stapleton might be one of the greatest career highlights for me ever. Like above a lot of the other things. Like Granal Opry member, Grammy, female vocalist, and Chris Stapleton. Like those are the things to me that I literally like, I cannot believe that that happened.

I mean, that is straight up chills. Even though just like those are your top four things in life. I'm like, that's such a dream. Yeah. Well, it's good to like, like you said, it's so easy to just. be like what's next onto the next what else but what else what else what else when you're an achiever and like but i have to sometimes really go back and remind myself that i wrote yesterday i saw on instagram i saw new song and i was like i'm very excited about it i wrote with walker hayes he

you want to talk about one of the nicest people in the world angel just an actual authentic angel who just we sat there for four and a half hours and like we walked out of there being like well that was therapy oh he's he's awesome oh it was so great but i'm like it was a dream for me to just be sitting in a room with him like he's a really good writer he's a very good writer and i was like this is so cool do you have a dream duet and i mean you've already done the dream do you have another dream duet where you're like like anyone out there in the world who you're like i would die to do do that with them. John Mayer.

Oh. Wait, that would be cool. I would love to. Even if we just like reimagined slow dancing in a burning room is a duet. It's my favorite song ever. Same. Yeah. It's one of like the hottest songs ever.

Hotest songs ever. I would just love. I just listened to it like two nights ago while I was cooking. It's so good. Sometimes I just toss on John Mayer when I'm cooking. Same. Yeah. Continuum.

That's the album. Yep. It's so good. Oh, that would be a really good collab. Yeah. Huh. John, if you're out there. John.

If you love your country and Western. music. Honestly, I think he's in my wordled group chat. Stop. I swear. I think he is. Wow. He's not in mine. I don't know how I got in this wordled group chat. There's like the most random people in it. But it was because like my friend is a photographer for somebody really big. And then we all started wordle and then they kept adding a couple people. And then one of my friends was like, I think John mayors in that group chat. I'm like, what the fuck? I'll be like, hey John. Hey, John. My friend Carly would like to write a song with you. What if you just said, hey, John in the world chat? Like, it's nothing about world and you're just like, hey, John. And then imagine it actually isn't him. And everyone's like,

who the fuck John? Oh, my God. I said earlier, I was like started from Dollywood, now you're here. I want to know more about you working at Hollywood when you were 16. Because when you took that job, were you thinking like this could be a step in the right direction for my career? Like, what was the thought process? I know. I feel like people don't really ask me about, they're just like, you moved and worked at Hollywood. I'm like, yes. But my brain, At 15, I was a freshman in high school. Yeah. I lived very close to Cincinnati.

So I saw a lot of like, you know, the activities in Cincinnati. Saw that they were auditioning for shows at Dollywood. Oh, you had to audition? Yeah. Wait, what were you doing there? You weren't like working the mayor to go around or something? No, I literally saw it in the newspaper. When I was living in Kentucky that they were holding auditions in Cincinnati for

Hollywood for the shows at Dollywood. I was like, Mom, let me go. And my mom was like, you're in school. You're like starting high school because I just finished. I was at the end of my freshman year. Yeah. Went and auditioned. I was 15.

You had to be 16. We convinced them that I was going to be 16 by the time that the show started. I got my license. My mom pulled me out of school. I got a, I enrolled in a homeschooling program online. And my mom and I moved when I was 16 to a one bedroom, one bathroom, grizzly bear decorated apartment with a jacuzzi tub in the bedroom. I'm obsessed with the story. Isn't it? But you think about that now, like I think all these

years later, the sacrifice, my parents are still married. That's so cool. My mom's like, see you soon. Husband. See you soon. Life. Like, I'm going to go take my daughter to do this. Bless your mom. Your mom's an angel. My mom is incredible. And my dad too. And your dad, obviously. But I mean, like, my mom, she just like hung out in Pige and Forge. But yes, I thought, oh, this is so much better for my career. Because I knew I wanted to get to Nashville. but I didn't want to be in school. I was good at school too, but I was just like, I want to sing.

Wow. And it was the best thing I ever did. That is, I love, like, singers' stories. I feel like everyone's got such a cool story. Like, the fact that you moved to a one-bedroom grizzly bear decorated apartment with a jacuzzi and what? In the bedroom. In the bedroom?

With your mom. With your mom to work at Dollywood while you're turning 16. And, like, that was the start of, and then you get to like, you've sang with Dolly or did she meet? I sang with her this. last January, got to sing with her, and then she invited me to be a member of the Granul Opera. Yes, that's what it was.

Oh, my. What a full circle moment. They tricked me by having me come to the Dolly headquarters, because she's got a headquarters. Of course she does. It's so badass. But they said I was doing a commercial for Dollywood. And so I was like, well, that's awesome. So I go, and I hear little high heels come down the hall.

And I thought they were surprising me, and she was going to do the Dollywood commercial with me and then she invited me to become literally the highest honor of my life truly oh my gosh that's freaking cool she's awesome cool things yeah i love i want to see dolly without makeup so bad but i don't i'm like that's just dolly do you know that i did a rehearsal because i sang with her for her pet gala yeah cute her she has a line called doggy parton of clothes oh i did know that yeah june has the dolly wig of course um she looks like a little dolly when i went into those rehearsals i mean she is dressed i was dressed i was dressed like I got out of a workout. I was like, hey, high heels, perfect.

I mean, she is so dialed in at every moment. Like, she is just beautiful. I asked her, I said, how do you wear those shoes? And she said that they're actually, like, pretty comfortable. Really? But I hugged her. And when I left, I ran to my assistant. And when I got home and I said, smell me.

I smell like her. Like, I literally smelled like a fairy godmother. Like exactly how you wanted to smell. It was all over me. And I like didn't want to wash my shirt. I get that. Yeah, I was like, oh. That's what happened.

I met Paul Rudd. Really? Oh my God. You just did. I hugged him and I was like, well, never showering again. I'm obsessed with it. Did he smell good? Yes.

I don't know what my obsession is. Like, I think a lot of people actually have a crush on him. Yeah. Mine's like kind of creepy next level. And the fact that I like touched him, okay, that's embarrassing. I'm just like, I'm like such a fan for Paul Rudd. And I don't really get nervous around. people and with him I was like just an absolute embarrassing best but I feel like that's I get that

feeling of like I want to stay smelling like them yes I do feel like dolly would have a specific smell too I'm telling you it's like it's what you would imagine but you I can't explain it to you but it's she's like America's very godmother she really is yeah before I let you go I don't know how you stay grounded with such a busy schedule like what do you do on your days off at home is it just spending time with your dogs having a glass of holy shit you're wine. I know we have wines, although you actually like majors. I just have a label of like the best. I just went into it and I was like, I'll make a label with like my favorite wine. I thought that was so cool because I know your love for wine. It's the same as my love for wine.

Yes. And you went to do something on social media and you were like going to get your own bottle of wine at a store and you're like, this is the coolest, one of the coolest things I've ever done. I'm like, I get that feeling so much. It's such like a and for you, it's like you went and created these wines. For me, like you said, this is a wine that I drink all the time. And I love that it's like a twist top. And I love that it's like a really good bottle of wine. I never wanted to do something. You know, I became kind of like the wino in country music with hide the wine.

Yeah. But I've waited to not partner with a wine that I didn't love. Totally. And this was the dream for me. So I'm, yeah, I love it. It's, I already had a bottle of it. Yes. Like you gave me a bottle.

I didn't remember. Was it when we went for sushi? Uh, yes. Yeah, you gave you a bottle. And I was like, God, it's so good, too. It's, but is that part of like, for me, like, I love having a day off, spending it with my dogs. Yes. Being in my sweats all day, maybe getting a therapy session in.

Yes, yes. Doing some kind of like vision boarding or something and a glass of wine. Like that is like my happy day. Yep. What is your happy day? I love having my dogs. Yeah. Sweats are definitely involved.

Yes. I have really, I live in a cul-de-sac with some of my... I went to your neighbor's house by accident instead of your house members. Did you? Yes. Oh my gosh, you did. In the CMA Awards with my nips out, I was like, hey, is Carly home? They're like, she lives there. I'm like, I've been here. Why am I here? What am I doing? You're like, I'm dressed for an event, I swear. I'm not just like a hooker. I feel like it's been such a blessing. Some of my best girlfriends live in the cul-de-sac now.

Oh, that's cool. So I feel like just being with them, having girls' night. with my dogs, in sweats, like with good food. I mean, and like a workout somewhere in there. That's like, I'm a very at my core simple girl. Yeah. And I have the same friends, like my band and the people that work with me, we've been friends since the beginning. Yeah, that's great.

And so I think that keeps me grounded. And I don't even think of myself as being famous, but like I don't like that. I get that. I think of just, this sounds so cliche too, but I really do think of it as like, God blessed me to be able to do this on a level like this, which is such a gift, but I'm still the same person. 100%.

Well, God blessed you and you worked really hard. I did work really hard. You did the grind. I definitely did the grind, but I just don't feel differently. Yeah, I get that. I feel like kind of the same from coming off TV. Like I think a lot of people, it was so funny. People would message me that I worked with for years and they'd be like, I don't know if you

remember me, but, and I'm like, just because I went on a TV show, doesn't mean I am a different person, I don't remember people, I don't remember where I came from. Totally. And if anything, I think it grounded me more because I saw people go off the deep end in other ways. Yep. And I'm like, it's really important to me to stay grounded. Yes. And I feel like you're the same. And you've been open about growth, healing, everything in between. I feel like you write about it too. Yeah. But what is something that you've learned about yourself in the last year? I think you can relate to this. I think I thought, I'm about to be 35. Yeah.

I thought I would be like married kids and I don't have any of that. Yeah. And I think I'm learning, I'm okay by myself. Yeah. Which I think is setting me up for like the best season of my life. And I've I've not been to that place ever. I believe that. And I see that in you as well because I saw something actually this morning when I was

doom scrolling. I saw someone saying that they what when you've done like. the work and you've done healing and you've been through hard times and you have gotten through whatever that you've gotten through, you start seeing, like other people start getting exposed for the work they haven't done. And it kind of sets your standards higher for what you know you're worthy of and what happiness looks like for you. Yeah. And it makes you okay with being alone because you don't want to settle. And you don't want to be in situations that you don't want to be in or that make you feel any, like you want to be around people who make you. You want to be around people who

make you feel evolved and who make you feel like yourself and you want to be in relationships that bring out the best in you. And if you don't have that, you're okay alone. Yeah. And you get to this place, I know for me where it's like being in the wrong relationship actually is so much worse than being by yourself. But being able to get to that place is is pretty hard. And I don't know. I just think being able to celebrate like yourself as a whole and not only find happiness with somebody else. I'm clearly reading a book right now about this. But I love that one book. How to be single and happy is what it's called. And literally it opens it up and it's like talking about a girl who's 34 and she's in therapy. And she's like, but wait, I don't have this,

this, this, this. And it's like teaching you about. And I think you can read it even in a relationship. Like just how to be whole with just you. Yeah. And I feel that. It's such an important lesson. I feel like 35, 27 and 35 to me feel very pivotal for 27 being, you start to be like hey i want to get to know who i am what am i doing and 35 being like oh i've cracked open a whole new layer of myself and self-acceptance and then that's why people say 40 you're like because you've just yes over and over learning life lessons and finding out who you are and caring less about what others think and what they're doing and so many you know we're we're all only feeling like we have to be in a certain places because of society yes it's not like we actually have to be

I'm turning 40 this year and I'm like, I don't know what's going on. My uterus is fucking. I'm like, I don't even know anymore, but I'm like, whatever happens is going to be on the right timeline for me. It's right. Yeah. And like the wrong timeline is forcing something that isn't meant to be. And yes.

Yeah. Last thing, but my favorite thing, confessions. Okay. Something embarrassing that you would like to share today. Now is your chance. Unless you don't have anything, but I feel like you do. I'm a runner. Yeah.

This is a big one. I was literally sitting here contemplating, looking at spade and sparrows, going, do I want to let this out into the world? Yes, you do. Do you know where I'm going with this? I'm excited. I was on a run once. Oh, no. And it has changed the way that I run.

Oh. We got to have coffee now before we run so we can do our business. Got it. Yes. Yeah. Fair. Understood. I was on a run.

I was about two and a half months. miles away from my house. Oh, no. And I got a poop pain. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I was like, oh, no, I'm far.

I'm far. And you know, like, when your desire or your need to go to the bathroom becomes that, like, diarrhea feeling. Yes. Where it's the, oh, okay, I made it through that contraction, okay? Yes. I would run when those weren't happening and then I'd speedwalk. And I made it to my street, like literally the start of my. my driveway and I poop my pants fully I'm talking not a shart oh fully well at least you're at your

house I made it to my house and I for some reason immediately called my best friend like my childhood best friend I was like I just shit myself on a run and she was like hello so literally don't run figure that out before you go on a run far away because yeah sometimes I mean it was bad Oh, God, that, okay, thank you for sharing that because, you know, when I told you yesterday, I was holding the counters. Yes. You know when, have you, you don't suffer from cramps, but the cramps that I get make me have to shit my pants. Yes. And that is what was happening when I grabbed and Moni, I was going through what felt like a contraction, like you said, also trying to squeeze it in.

Yes. And cramps on top. And I remember just, I literally held it and was like, no. And I was like, like, shaking. I had cold sweats. Like when I finally made it to my house, I was like, am I sick? And then it was like, no, I just held in poop for like two miles.

I'm impressed that you made it home, but you had to. Made it to my driveway. Just full shit. Had to just throw it out. No, I hope, I have always wondered if someone saw it in the neighborhood. It's been a few years, but I'm like, yeah, I ship my pants on a run. You know what? You are owning it now.

You're owning your truth. And I bet so many runners can. relate to this. Do you understand why I had to really? I was like, am I going to do it? But you know what? You got to do it. You got to do it. Thoughts and prayers to the running community with shitting their pants. I feel like there's a lot of you out there. Yeah. Do not trust a fart on a run either. Lord. Help me. Oh my God. I honestly feel that. Like when you were talking about the contractions, I was like, okay. Now I have to tell you that that's what that was yesterday for me with the cramping. I was like, I'm not shaking. Yes. Yes. And I was like shaking like,

you know that dumb and dumber scene when he literally like lets it all go on the toilet? Like that's what it was when I got to the bathroom. That was me at the driveway. I didn't get to make it to the toilet. I'm sorry about that. I'm so sorry. Well, thank you for sharing your confession. And I can't wait to crack.

Can I have it? Yes. I was like, oh, shit, I just like, thank you for the bathroom. What if I was like, okay, thank you so much. Bye. I'm going to send you with a bottle of mine. Yes, please. We are like, I've never met two people who like wine more than you and I.

Never. Remember the last time we hung out, you had to Uber home. I was like, I'm out of here. also um the when we were at the people's choice remember yes we were drinking drinking wine and we were cheering for who was it that we stood up for that nobody else was standing up for and we were like guys war entreaty when they did their amen performance and we were dying yeah they are they're so good yeah i feel like there was somebody else too like an underdog or something no no no no was it was somebody big yeah it was it was i think it was brad paisley there might have been too much

flying clearly for me. I'm like, I don't remember. Well, I'm going to leave for Pilates. I have to be there in 14 minutes. Go. She's like, got to go.