Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Carly Pearce: The Power of Vulnerability

Episode Date: May 11, 2021

Kaitlyn has her good friend and Country’s it-girl, Carly Pearce, on the podcast to talk all about where she's at now in comparison to a year ago and her incredible new collection of songs ���29” which are likely on loop in your head! Carly opens up about her divorce and what was truly going on behind the scenes in her personal life that last time she was on the podcast with Kaitlyn a year ago. Carly shares about the real and raw heartbreak, healing journey, and power of vulnerability. She is saying yes to dates but also shares the joys of being single and finding what truly makes her happy on her own without having to answer to anyone… and then she reveals if she’d rather fart on stage or have an epic voice crack. Kaitlyn puts on her psychic match making hat to predict who Carly is going to date next... You can find Carly on IG at @carlypearce and Twitter carlypearcemusic.com  APARTMENTS.COM - Go to apartments.com. The most pop ular place to find a place. STRAIGHT TALK - Get the $45 unlimited talk, text, and data plan with no contract on America’s best networks for up to 50% less! GEICO - Go to geico.com and in 1 5 minutes you could be saving 15% or more on car insurance. BEST FIENDS - Download Best Fiends free on the Apple App store or Google Play. HYUNDAI - Learn more at hyundai.com .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, listen up if you love a good slow burn romance, and let's be real, who doesn't? You need to check out the new Audible Original of Pride and Prejudice. It's an intimate performance that literally makes you feel like you're right there swooning with Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Marisa Abella as Elizabeth and Harris Dickinson as Darcy, I'm obsessed. So whether it is your first time with Jane Austen or your 50th, this version is such a fresh, fun listen. Go to audible.ca slash Jane Austen to dive in. Hey, everybody, you're listening to Caitlin Bristow's podcast, Off the Vine.

Take it away, Bree. Wine. Lots of wine. Hey, be on the mic, turn it up. Let's go. Hey, ramen, Pino, ready for the show. Everyone's welcome. So come on in because OTV, it's about to begin.

Hey. Welcome to Off the Vine. I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow, and my guest today is not only an incredible country artist, whose songs are probably consistently on loop in your head. She also happens to be one of my great girlfriends who hasn't been on the podcast in about a year. So we had to catch up on the mic. She's been called Country's It Girl and toured with everyone from Blake Shelton to Luke Bryan. She's earned several ACM award noms, including female artists of the year,

single of the year, and music event of the year with her platinum certified number one duet. I hope you're happy now with Lee Bryce. And today she's not only sharing all about her new collection of songs, 29 that by the way is so good too good be prepared to shed some tears listening to that one she's also letting us in on her personal life and what was going on behind the scenes this past year with her divorce so i'm so happy you guys get to hear more about carly and our friendship we of course have so much fun with games and confessions is she dating we'll find out enjoy today's convo with the amazing carly pierce i knew you would look all key

and put together and I'd be like podcasting in bed with like well you look beautiful as always so oh that's cute you're cute when you lie I am loving this hair length on you oh my god thank you I uh I literally I'm sure you can relate but I it was like I changed my hair and I love it I love it I love it I love it but then like for ACN so I was like I want long hair so oh yeah of course I hear you on that obviously last time we podcast I was trying to think about this because I've seen you so many times in person and we talk. So I feel like I'm going to ask you a bunch of questions that I already know the answers to. But obviously, no one else knows the answer. I know. I thought this was going to be a funny one. Yes, because it was June of last year. And obviously, so much has

happened in the world, but so much for you personally. And we had podcasted. And I, I don't know if it's because I know you, but I felt in my heart and I also have really good intuition. Like, I talked to my girlfriend yesterday and I was like, I just had like this really weird feeling that you're not okay right now. And she was like, holy shit. Like, I just felt this. And when you were talking to me that last podcast, I was like, I hope she's okay. But I didn't want to, like, I don't know, say anything. But once, I don't know, once the news came out that you were going through your divorce, you were like, Caitlin, I was going through it that day.

We did a podcast. And I was like, you were so strong. Oh, my God. I, like, wanted. There were so many moments because I looked at you, even then. And I mean, obviously, like, our friendship was grown. But I was like, I felt like I was lying. to you and I hated it.

I was like, no, things are great. We're so happy. Yeah, I know. It's just like perfect. Isn't it so hard to do that because, I mean, you had to because you want to be honest with everybody, obviously. But when you're in the world of the public eye, people, you need to like, you know, respect the other person, even though that must be hard, and put out a statement at the same

time. And you can't just drop a bomb on a podcast. And so you have to just, you know, essentially lie. to protect yourself and like, you know, it's such a weird world to navigate when people are watching. So I was like, I didn't feel offended that you were lying to me is what I'm getting at. Oh my God. I remember because, you know, what's interesting is I obviously filed for divorce and that's all very public at this point. Yeah. But like the other person did not know I was about to file. And so it was like this whole almost like internal war with myself of I have to do this when I'm ready to tell him and nobody can ever know until time. And it was it was so I mean that I remember being on that podcast with you and like almost holding back tears because I was like I am having to talk about something that literally is brings you pain.

It's like the most fake and it had been fake for so so long. this point and it was just like this is awful so yeah now we're good are you again that's i mean a year makes such a difference after you know such a public divorce and you've done so much but my gosh i always okay this is so hard for me because i'm like i obviously want to just be such a bitch but i'm not going to but i always think like the not that you're a revengeful like the vindictive person but in my mind I always think like the best revenge or a way of like a therapy let's call it therapeutic is success and you have had so much of it and I just feel like you know music is such a probably something that fills your soul and something you do through hard times

and to be able to take that situation of heartbreak and I know you've said this publicly that you felt embarrassed or like failure that you let yourself down and you're song 29, I cry like every time I listen to it. Oh, that's so good. You know, I didn't, I can't relate, but I like can at the same time because not like, I didn't get married, but I, you know, went through a very public engagement and that failed. But you must have just been like, what was a writing process for you like with this new music?

The most interesting part of it is, you know, I hope you're happy now was top 10. Yeah. And it was this amazing thing that was happening during a time where, you know, know, the world was so confused with what are we going to do, especially in our industry, it was like, we can't play shows and we're not connected to fans. But for me, I felt this like tie to everyone. But in the midst of, I remember sitting on a picnic table and realizing during quarantine that I was going to have to go to new music because I didn't identify with this album that I just wrote. And that was such a weird parallels, like the highest highs

than the lowest lowest. And I remember, you know, I lost my producer, Busby. through this time as well to glial bostomia brain cancer he's responsible for my first two records we wrote every little thing together he worked on I hope you're happy now that was actually the last song that he worked on and my gosh so in the midst of all that I'm my marriage is failing and then

my team is like and I knew it in my heart too that we needed to move on and go to new music and so Shane McInelly and Josh Osborne they produced the 29 project and they're two singer or they're both amazing singers as well but they're songwriters and producers and pretty much like every country song that you hear on the radio they probably wrote it yeah but i had a zoom a couple of days on zoom set up with

them and you know my team is like so i feel like when you're going into these rights i feel like you should you know just kind of kind of steer the conversation towards you know kind of what's coming in your life and in other words they didn't want me to come out and be honest and be like hey i'm about to file for divorce. And I remember getting on this Zoom, much like you and I are, and it was the first day that I was writing with Shane and Josh to maybe see if they were going to produce my next album. And I looked at them and I was like, hey, guys. So they were like, how are you? And I was like, well, I'm about to file for divorce. And I just said it. And they were like, oh my God. And I think because I was willing to be that honest and just at that time I was so shameful and I felt so much embarrassment and I was so broken

but because I was honest with them we were able to tap into writing and and music and just the side of me that I don't think I even knew was possible to do and in return I now sit a year later and I go wow I wrote music I thought I was vulnerable before this but then this music that I'm like wow, this has shown me what I'm capable of as a person. And it also is just given, you know, and I'm sure you can relate to this in like certain ways with what we do for a living. Like, yes, that brings us purpose and it's great. But I feel like my platform and my purpose has grown astronomically in the last year and has made me feel so full because I was honest. That day changed everything when I just said, I'm filing for divorce. It's not the perfect thing that you think it is.

Right. And they probably obviously knew him because he was in the music industry too. And they were for like, wait, what? Did not see that coming? And I know just to touch on, because I know so many of my listeners have probably gone through a divorce or feel that feeling of shame or, you know, embarrassment overall. Because you go into it, obviously, you guys were so happy and the world saw it. And I don't know how much you say or how much people know, but obviously you can tell if you listen to your music, what kind of happened.

But for other people listening and going to that, that they can relate to, a lot of people wanted to ask you how you knew it was time to move on and if there's light at the end of the tunnel like how that process was for you. I think you know better than anybody can you walk the whole thing with me. It's like I have to be careful how I say all this. I know. Trust me. Oh, me too. You know, my faith is a big part of my life. And in that, and I feel like a lot of people can relate to this, that divorce is certainly not something that a Christian woman makes a part of her story. Right. And I feel like I had a lot of friends who had different scenarios like this, but somebody in my band, I remember sitting on my bus crying before quarantine and saying,

how did you know he had gone through a divorce? And I said, how did you know when it was time to get divorced? And he said, when I felt like all of the pillars that we had built had fallen. And I remember walking through this little town during quarantine where my parents were knowing that we had no pillars left and knowing i just had this i was listening to a podcast of a christian preacher her name's joyce mire and out of nowhere i didn't even know that she had gone through a divorce um and she just says it in her podcast in this particular episode that i was to and i just felt like it was this moment where i went okay i got married and i'm sure a lot of people listening if you've gone through maybe not a divorce but something where you had your best intentions it's like

I went into that with the best intentions. I got married for the right reasons. I certainly, when you love somebody, you trust them. And I did all of those things. And it's not my fault that this happened to me. But it was going to be my fault if I stayed in something that I knew wasn't serving me anymore. Yes. And that was the moment where I went, you got to get out.

And I actually, I call it if anybody's like an old school country fan, Tammy Wynette, she's like just, she went. through a very public situation with George Jones, and I felt like this was my Tammy Wynette moment, but I, my song, I hope you're happy now, went number one on a Monday, and I filed for divorce on a Friday. Yes. That's not country music. I don't know what it is. But, you know, it's just been like, what fans don't understand is I was vulnerable with

them through this process. I didn't try to fight it. I didn't try to act like it didn't happen. I just owned it. And I was like, this is terrible. This is so awful. This is so hard. And publicly, it was.

so hard. But what they didn't realize was when I started to be vulnerable, they started to tell me their stories too, almost like a sisterhood. And what that was doing was almost giving me permission to be a human. Because sometimes we are looked at it when you have a platform, like you're not a human. And people say really mean things. I mean, oh, the amount of like messages, I'm sure you can relate. Oh, yeah. You gave up on your marriage. What a joke you are. And it's like, it's so hard to not read into that stuff but it was like fans really gave me the encouragement and helped me along in the last year in ways that I don't know that they'll ever even know and we haven't even seen each other isn't that wild i i totally understand that because i said this on dancing with the stars i've

said it before i heard it through a therapist that vulnerability creates connection and i always think that and i always remember that because that's i've kind of always tried to be honest and and vulnerable on my platform because I saw, of course, there's going to be those people that come after you, but I saw how many people opened up to me and how many people related. And no matter if you're here or here or here on Instagram or in life or whatever stage you're at, so many people can relate to hard times. And the more you talk about it, the more like, I feel like loyal your people become, the more you feel able to be yourself and human with them. And I feel like that's, I don't know if that's like the music industry. I feel like it is where

you are a performer. You are like almost a character on stage owning the stage looking and feeling so confident, but nobody ever really sees the behind the scenes of stuff. So they might hear about it through your music, but they don't know if that's actually happening to you personally or if someone else wrote it or you're trying to, you know, have a song for someone else to relate to i just feel like like you i heard you say people you felt closer to your fans than ever through all of this and people could probably listen to your music and be like wow she is being so honest and and vulnerable and you knew okay collection of songs project whatever called 29 and it was released february which was really recently walk me through the seven new songs because was it like a

process is it like i feel like i remember you telling me something where it's you explain that i'm not going to do it justice. Well, what's so funny about it is I never intended to write like a concept project, but I think what happened was I'm lucky enough, Scott Borchetta, who owns my record label, we are very close. And I called him and he said, you know what? You're one of my artists that I know you have to see this through. And he's like, I want you to go and do what you do.

So I went and I kept my circle very close as far as who I was writing these songs with and it just really all of a sudden about four songs in I felt like oh this is kind of like a chronological story of where I've been and where I'm going and it's funny because we didn't really know how many songs it was going to be it was kind of like just go do your thing and let us know when you feel like you're at a point where you want to do something with it and I wrote messy that was the last song that I wrote and I remember I was in the shower so random but I was in the shower and I just like sang moving on is messy and I was like what what is that

and that day I had a write and I remember I wrote that song I was like it's done this part of it is done I don't know what's going to come after it but it really felt like up until that point I lived all of that and it felt like a good point of like this isn't fun but like I'm giving myself grace through it and I feel good enough that I can stand on this and when I look back at it it really does take each step of what the last year has been like for me. And it's interesting to see it like as a collection. And it's kind of emotional for me to see it and go, oh my gosh. Like you really took people on a journey that hopefully then will help other people if they're going through a journey that they, because I mean, you know, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Like there

is no way that I could go through that. And I did. And I'm better. And it's okay. now back to off the vine with kately bristow strong is also being able to break down and be emotional and open up but you you know you really relied on your friends you came out you hung out with us like you talked through it you did everything right to like take care of yourself during that whether that was, you know, again, talking to friends, writing music, just crushing it overall. Like, you didn't give up, which you probably felt like you wanted to and that you couldn't move on like you said. But you really did just power through everything and used your people around you to support you. And I just think that's another good piece for people to take away

if they're listening to as much as you want to just lay in bed. That's okay too. I did that. I just laid in bed and cried, but on other days, you know, rely on your friends and talk to your family and open up and I don't know what other people do. I know you write music, but I just, I don't know, I love getting through it with the people that I love. Oh my gosh. And I mean, let me just say you were such a key part of that. And you and I bonded on things that if I hadn't been vulnerable with actually how I was feeling, I wouldn't have even been able to open myself up to have you help me through some things and relate to me in ways. And just the sisterhood that I feel like I found through this year, something that has always stuck with me that you said to me at one point

that was like I needed to hear it was still going back because we all want to look and see what our what our exes are doing. And you look to me and you go, are you shopping for paint? And I constantly think about that. And it's just like these moments where your friends and your family, like they have your best interest at heart. And they really do. carry you through. And I'm naturally a more private person, but I forced myself to go towards people that were safe. And that's the only way that I got through it. And a lot of wine at your house. Yes. Wine is always a key thing to have during these times. That's so funny. And I just love, I mean, I feel like I'm a broken record because I was to say I love, I mean, you did it before when you won an award,

you were like, to the guy who broke my heart. Like, thank you. And I'm, I'm like, you're doing it again. You know what I mean? Your next girl, which obviously everybody loves that song, it's killing it on country radio. This song in particular, why did you choose it for a single? Because it, I'm always like, oh, I remember you telling me about that song. I was like, hell, yeah, this is so good.

And I love that you could turn it into that. First of all, so many people have said to me, oh my God, were you afraid to put this music out? Like, there's another person that people are going to attach this to. And I have to remind people, as I sit in my house, looking at my wall that has like my like my awards wall that I always wanted in my house. The two songs that have really changed my world, every little thing and I hope you're happy now. Every little thing, God broke my heart. I hope you're happy now. I'm apologizing to somebody

that I hurt. And it's like I'm not doing anything differently than I've always done. I've built my brand on being authentic and writing about my life. So it's interesting. Now, yes, can you attach somebody to like the last relationship I was in? Sure. But I wanted to come out with next girl. It was the first song that Shane Josh and I wrote after I was like, hey guys, my life isn't what you think it is. Right. And to me, I grew up on 90s country. I loved female country. And like I felt like those girls had these anthems that were so empowering like Shania and Faith and Patty Lovelace and Liam Mulmack, but they said something. They weren't just like a fluff song that went by, but they just made you feel something. And

I actually had the idea next girl more as like a typical Carly Pierce like slow song like a letter to the next girl. And Shane was like, you love these female anthems. Why don't we write one with it? And it just like exploded out of our mouths. I mean, it was just like, it wrote itself. And I remember it was finished. And I was like, this is what I want to come out with. Because everybody's going to think I'm going to come out with something that's super like painful. And it's like, no, I'm going to come out feeling strong because I do feel strong. And I want girls to feel strong if they encounter this situation. Yeah. I love how you turned it into that. And it was like a warning for the next girl. And like, of course, we're going to attach it to to the other person but that that's your story like you said that is your story that's what you're going through you always write about your stories and what a shame if you kept that to yourself and the world didn't get to hear this music because it does help so many people and it is relatable and you know like that would just be a disservice to yourself and everyone else to keep that in i know and i always say to people and i mean this like respectfully but like don't think that I'm sitting thinking about this person all the time.

Like, give me a little more credit than like, I want to make great music. And I want to do something that, like, is impactful and something that I can stand behind. I never want to be the girl that, and every artist is different. But it's like some artists do really well with just cutting kind of the same songs that they don't write and whatever. And that's kind of their brand. But for me, I want to stand behind the music that I sing to where when I intro these songs, you know that I lived it. And that's important to me. Absolutely.

And it not only is great music, but it also helps you. Like you, I can only imagine if I could write as well as you could write songs. I've heard your songs. Yeah, but I need to like rely on a lot of other people to get me there. But I find it so, I always use the word therapeutic. I'm trying to think of a different word, but that's really what it is to just write it down. I'm just so proud of you as a artist, as a friend, as a female. Like in every way, I'm just like, hell, yeah, what is that?

feel like? You know, I try to like put it into words, but it's like, those are the fived. Like you want to be in the five. And it's very easy to be the new, new artist. Yes, new artist is great. And then it's kind of like you fall in this in between area where it's like you're not really new, but you're not quite there yet. And just in such a pivotal time for me as a as an artist losing Busby and having to figure out where to go with that, the rug being pulled out from under me in my personal life, I felt like of any moment that this could be the moment that people see me in the five, it was the most overwhelming. I mean, it's what I've dreamed of my whole life. I dream of being one of those girls that really said something that mattered. And I feel like between the CMAs and between the ACMs,

it's like, I really understand my place in the industry. And I understand that people really do care what I have to say and that's yeah truly all I ever cared about so I just am real happy to be in those five I love it because I just know and I think everyone knows that you have dreamt about this since you were so little you've probably with what call it manifesting or if you've prayed on it or anything you've just really pictured yourself in this position and you've worked so hard to get there and you've arrived and you're like holy shit I did it it yeah it's like you you think about these things as a kid and there was i call it a blessing and a curse because i knew from such a young age exactly what i wanted to do and there were times where it was so far from

what i was doing but i just knew it was going to happen eventually and it's just cool to see it all kind of come to fruition yeah and it's and it's crazy to think that part of your success is a failure in a way you know what i mean like i and i've said this on so many podcasts about failures being opportunities, because failure sounds like such a terrible word, but it really does shape you and your career and puts you in a position to, you know, find your own strengths and be nominated for all these things and write incredible music. And it is part of your success. Oh, I see like three major failures that have kind of carried me on.

One being I had a record deal when I was 22 on Sony Records. Music never came out. I ended up having to clean Airbnbs. I was a backup singer for Lucy with a pretty little liars actress. I worked retail. I was a nanny, but I never quit. And then it led me to meeting Busby.

And Busby and I related and I told him about this guy that wanted me to move to Texas and get married because I was not supposed to be an artist. And he told me I'd never be an artist. And then it was like, we wrote every little thing about that. And now you get to this and it's like, oh, my goodness. Yet again, something just really big happens in my life that was unexpected.

and I chose to not let it define me. I just tried to let it refine me. And here we are. And it's like struggles can be opportunities and failures can like really change the course of your life for good. We just associate and like attach bad to everything. Yeah, I know. I always think failure just always sounds like such a nasty word, but it's really not.

Because again, it's always an opportunity. And I saw that you're going on tour this summer. I'm coming. Come on. We are very, very cautiously optimist. of playing shows. There are so many things going on in the works that I'm hoping that I can share. I feel like I talked to all my artist friends, Lindsay, as well. She's got like things going on that we're like, can we ever announce this stuff? But I feel like I think you're getting better. And so

the minute I'm allowed to come out, which I hope all these things happen, I'm coming. Yeah, because I know there's so many factors obviously going into like if people are vaccinated or how safe it is or, you know, what it's going to look like. But I love the, optimism because I think it could happen and will happen. What are you like the most excited about with going back on tour? What do you love about it? Connecting with the fans, I'm sure. Yeah.

I love, I mean, I never thought I would miss traveling with five grown men in a tour but I really miss that like brotherhood that I have. Yes. Like the five brothers that I never have. They seem so great to you, which I loved. They, I mean, they've been such a huge support system as well through all of this. And you really do get so close to these people. I think the thing that I am the most excited about is kind of what I've touched on throughout

this conversation is fans don't even know what they did for me during quarantine with I hope you're happy now. And then just with the support that I felt through the internet from people or fans that would come up to me in public. And of course, I'm like, oh my God, they're looking at me and they know, like, I feel so embarrassed of what has happened to me. And they're coming up to me. And they're like, you're the reason that I got out of a relationship that I knew. da-da-da-da-da-da-da. Yep. Just that I can look these people in the eye and be like, thank you.

Yeah. I think it's going to be really emotional for me. It is for sure. I mean, I think in general for people to connect again is emotional. But when you go through something with so many people that have been there for you that, again, you said earlier, you don't even personally know them or you wouldn't know their face. You'll get to see their face and you'll get that opportunity to just connect, which I think we all are going to have such a different perspective on connecting with people when we come out of this. You know what I mean?

Yes. I think we already do with all the Zoom calls that we have and missing family and friends and everything. I think everyone has a different perspective now to connect with people. That must be, that's going to be so magical for you to do. I want to witness that. Oh, my. You have to come and hang out with us on the road.

I will. Yes, you have to. Yeah. I'm inviting myself. Good. I want you out there. Yeah. You're listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow.

Emily Ma says, how do you mentally cope with the feelings expressed in 29? Because I'm in the same boat right now. Oh, well, first of all, Emily, I'm sorry. Yeah. You know, I think kind of echoing what we've been saying, but take it as a time to grow and lean on people that love you and we'll catch you and just understand that this is a season and don't let it don't let it take over your life like this is what is supposed to be happening in your life and it's just a season it's going

to get better that's i love thinking of things as seasons i even just talking to katie right now obviously who's the bachelorette like it's so interesting and so cool for me to be able to say i've been in your shoes because what is there like 15 girls in the world who have been in her shoes and so it's so cool to be able to kind of help her and guide her through that and I was see the outside yes and I was saying like this is a season to enjoy like you'll never date this many men again and it's so overwhelming and it's so hard because you know relationships are developing and you're hurting people's feelings and you're getting hurt and all these things but one of my favorite quotes I don't know if it's a quote or saying whatever is people are in your in your life for a season reason or a

lifetime. And that's what I had her think through this, you know, journey, quote, unquote, of hers. Sherry-esque, I think, says, is she dating? Well, yeah. I mean, I've had some successful dates. I wouldn't say I'm dating anyone exclusively at all. But I'm definitely, like, putting myself out there. I love that. You know, I'm saying yes to dates. There you go. yeah i love that are you i don't even know this answer to this now i'm curious are you like jaded from country singers or are you like i'll give them another shot well i uh i think i have a few that maybe if they if they asked me i might go oh but i definitely feel like the majority i would say i'm i've had enough i love it

I mean, I thought I was jaded from Bachelor guys, and here we are. Exactly. So that's why I'm like, never say never. But in the smoke, and I'm kind of like, oh, no. Yes. Oh, I like this question, because it could be good for other listeners out there. Katie Kate, Kit says, how do you find joy in being single? Oh.

You know what? I think if you are good with yourself and good on your own, that's like what, that's like the bar of where you need to be when you meet somebody and for me find hobbies i've gotten really into like fixing out my house and yes again and having girls nights and hanging out with my dog i mean i genuinely have gotten into a routine where i feel pretty great and just understand this is a time for you to anything as possible and also you answer to no one you just think it's a good thing and i just think it's a good like take it as a good thing that's preparing you for whatever's coming totally it's such a good opportunity to just like get to know yourself and and and feel okay on your own i think

that is so important mrs j page says do you think your ex will ever turn his truth into his music i don't know you imagine i i'm not sure i could write a song for him right now that would tell his truth all right all right music for his truth there we go definitely write a song for it that's so funny and then what is your favorite song out of the seven songs 29 yeah i i was actually i listened to it on repeat this morning because it is just so good uh and then because of you know you wrote that as a story in going through all this um sarah bowman wants to know is there any plans to already record some new music about where you're at now. I mean, I don't feel like seven is enough to be done. So, I mean, we're probably going to have to continue it. Maybe I'm doing that now. Yes. I miss you. I miss you. I'm like,

I miss going on having dinner and wine. I know. I'll be, wait, when do you, if you, or I don't know if you're allowed to say this, if you do go on tour in the summer, when would you go? we start having some things in June okay in the fall is when I'm like really hoping to be able to do some stuff okay cool because I will be home in May so perfect just I'm just in there with my suitcase I'm one of the I'm one of the boys now yes yes Caitlin Bristow wants to know do you have a confession for me so I do have a confession for you and I'm really trying to think about them and I decided I would give you something dating in the dating world that I don't know what this says about me this was one of those moments that I was like what is this saying about me but there's a dating app that I was on right after my divorce that you know just was given me some courage yeah some confidence yeah and then I got off of of it because I just was like, I don't know about all this. So I recently got back on it and I

had a lot of messages that I've missed in the last like, you know, five months. And my confession is that I re-messaged them all and was like, hey, I'm back. I'm back and I'm ready. You want to go out? Yes. I love that for you. I'm like, hey, I'm back. You still single? That's cool. They're probably like, wow, she kept me on my toes for a long time. Oh, my gosh.

How fun. You know what? It's just like, that's the fun part about it is. You never know who you're going to meet. I don't know what's next for me. I don't know, you know, you get back out in the world when it's opening back up and who are you going to meet? How's it going to be? And it's just, I'm excited.

I really am just, I think about where I was at, like. year compared to now and just any of you that are struggling please know it gets so much better and you're going to feel proud of yourself when you get through it it's so true just the rock bottom feeling till and how fast a year goes and how you look back after one year and you're like wow i went through it and here i am and you feel empowered you really really do i could tell you who you're going to date next because i'm not going to name names but do you remember when we were out for dinner and I guessed who you had went on a little date with. Yep.

That was wild. I don't know how I knew. All the people in the world I had hung out with someone and I said, she literally had no idea that I knew him. And I said, hey, I went out with someone and she just said his name. And I was like, are you psychic? I am. I didn't hear anything about it.

Nobody knew. I didn't even know you knew this person. That was so weird. So do you know how I'm going to have a. Do you have a feeling about whom I'm going to date? Kind of. I'm like, can you say that you need to text me? Because I need to know.

Wait, I'm trying to think. I'm going to think on it and really let something come to me. And then I'll maybe, you don't care if I say it out loud, do you? No. Okay. When I think about it and really let it come to me, when this podcast comes out, I'm going to say it. Perfect. and I will be so ready because I believe what you believe.

I'm telling you, my intuition is next level. Okay, I'm going to play a game with you before we go because I always love a good, would you rather? Okay. Okay, so would you rather tour every single day for an entire year or not tour at all for an entire year? After this past year, I would say tour every single day for a year. year. That'd be so exhausting, but so awesome. Would you rather play on stage with Dolly Parton or Reba McIntyre?

Oh, that's so hard, but Dolly. Yeah, always Dolly. Oh, my gosh. You've met her, right? Yes. What are you saying with her? I was on her Christmas show this past year and she, just even like hearing her say my name and talking about me, I was like, it just feels like a little angel. that was that was how I felt about Ellen DeGeneres when she was making fun of me on the show but I was like I don't care Ellen knows my name and she was like I love her exactly that's funny dolly's cool though okay would you rather be a host or mentor on American Idol or the voice oh I'd like to be a mentor yeah you'd be so good at that got a lot of things to say to them yes I feel like you'd be really good at that Okay. Would you rather fart on stage or have an epic voice crack? This could have been my confession. My band, I hope they don't listen. I would definitely rather fart because I've done it and nobody knows that you're doing it because it's so well, except your band when they smell it. That's so funny. But then still, there's a lot of people in the band. You don't know where it's coming from. Exactly. And they definitely aren't going to think it's a girl.

That's hilarious. Would you rather be. Only be able to listen to country music for the rest of your life or all the other genres, but not country. Oh, country. I'm one of those, too, actually. I love that. Would you rather be featured on the next Beads album or Sean Mendez? What's the first one? Beads.

Justin Bieber, the Beeper. Oh, Bees. It sounded like you said Beads and I was like Beads. Definitely Bieber. I'm a huge beep. I'm a bully. I am too. My gosh, I'm telling you, I sadly saw something the other day where it was like five whole minutes of Justin being rude to Haley. And I was like, what? And I watched it like a loser. There's my confession. I watched five minutes of a YouTube video of Justin Bieber being mean to Haley. And I was like, well, I mean, if they, like, I probably seem mean to Jason sometimes and they could put it into a little. So I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt because I too. I'm a believer.

That his news, I mean, I just like he continues to just go with the trends. Like, he just reinvents himself. It's so true. He's so good. And did you see, do you follow him on Instagram? No. Oh, do you? What a believer you are.

I know. I'm like, maybe he's not as big of a believer as I'm friends. I definitely follow him. I need to false. He just posted this new video where he was like bopped into the piano. Then he'd play something. Then he'd go over to a different instrument and then he'd sing over it. And it was just like, he's so talented.

He really, like, child star, free. Yeah, he really is. He's, yeah. Would you rather your song go viral on TikTok? Or would you rather get a flattering DM from your personal favorite artist? You probably get those anyways. I'm like, I guess a viral TikTok. Yeah, I think that'd be cool.

We should, you should do a song, and then we'll make up a dance to it, and then we'll make it go viral. I'm done. Done. And then my last question is, what are your hopes for my favorite decade so far, your 30s? Oh, my goodness. I obviously hope to continue to make an impact on country music. I really hope in this decade I be a grandel opera number. That's like my baby school.

Yes. I want a family. I want to find love. I want to kind of transition into that part of. my life and make it a bigger piece of it than just traveling all the time and uh just more time you know my mom has a lung disorder and i just went all the time with her and just to just be the best my mom said she felt her best at 35 so really who that's where i'm not and i feel great she literally said she felt her hottest and her best at 35 that was when she was in her prime so

i great it's downhill from here for me no no she was like 30 are the best So I just want all the good. I want to be able to look back on my 30s and say the same thing to my kids. Yeah, I will say that 30s, and I mean, I'm a broken record with that too, but 30s, they really are just the best so far. And I'm sure it only gets better. Like, for, I feel mentally you get just stronger and stronger over every decade, but 30s so far have been just incredible. Okay, wait, I just remembered one more question. I want to ask because I saw it in the, I can't remember the name, but someone in the DMs, one in the DMs wanted to know.

how you trust moving forward now when you get into a relationship and you've gone through what you have how do you go in and kind of surrender to the process of finding love again without being dated I think that's a process yeah I think the biggest piece for me has been giving forgiveness to that person in your past and being able to just kind of let that go and understand that people that hurt you you can't carry that on into the next person in your life and just like make assumptions that that's going to be that is not how everybody operates and I think when you've been hurt it's very easy to assign trauma to everybody that comes into your life and I think just being diligent to make sure that you don't carry the things from your past into your

present so true that is such a good point yes it's so hard and like you said it's not like it's just the last relationship that you're in. It can be fixed. I mean, my goodness, I have things that come up. And it's like you just have to compartmentalize them in your brain to understand that they're irrational thoughts about somebody in your presence. Exactly. Compartmentalize.

That is the key. Well, I just freaking love you. And I miss you. And I'll see you when I get home because I, me, you, Lindsay, Steph, maybe cat. People are like who, who, but we will have a girl's night and make up for lost time because I love our girl tonight. me too and i need to see pinot and raman and june misses june needs to see pino and raman josh it's my favorite when the dogs are together and june is it in her little playpen and the dogs are just like get out of that i want to spot you is this our baby we're not sure i'm sure oh my god so fun um well

tell everybody where they can find you and you're i mean i'm sure your new music is everywhere that people find new music but tell everyone my music is everywhere where music is at Carly Pierce on Instagram and Twitter and then everywhere else, Carly Pierce Music.com, Carly Pierce Music, whatever. Amazing. Well, I'm just so proud of you

and love the shit out of you and I'll always be here for you. Oh my God, I love you. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. Thanks for listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. Get new episodes every Tuesday

exclusively on Podcast 1.com, the podcast 1 app, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.