Inspire / SISTERS IN SONG
46 SEPTEMBER 2019 WOMANSDAYMAGAZINE
On Getting a Leg Up
in NashvilleML: The first person to ever
show her true colors, which
was just sweet and supportive,
was [Grammy Award winner]
Gretchen Wilson. We came out
at the same time, and I was really
young. She was just so sweet to
me and, like, “Call me if you need
anything.” Faith [Hill] sent me a
note one day with a bracelet that
was basically, like, “I wear this
onstage, and when I get scared
I just remember that I’m doing
what I’m supposed to do.” A lot
of them have been supportive
and kind. It really gives you hope,
because when you’re 19 and
you’re just starting out, you’re
scared to death. Everything’s
new, and it’s hard, and you’re
gone all the time, so having other
women in the industry—especially
icons like those—say, “Hey,
you’re going to be OK; call me if
you need anything” really meant
the world to me.
RM: I was closest to Barbara
Mandrell. We were friends early
on. Barbara was a very energetic,
loyal, determined, hardworking
woman, and I learned a lot from
her. You just go and do your job,
you be prepared. She was doing
six shows in Las Vegas when she
was in her early teens, 13 years
old. I’ll never forget her telling
me that she cooked peanut brittle
for her fan club’s Christmas gifts.
Tons of peanut brittle, and she’d
send it out to all her fans for
Christmas. She was a devoted
entertainer. She doesn’t get the
attention she deserves.
CP: I’d been in Nashville 10 years.
I had a record deal on Sony, and
I lost it. I was in a group that was
mentoring young girls trying to
figure out whether they [wanted
to be] artists or songwriters.
All these girls were trying to be
really strong and confident, even
if they weren’t. Then I introduced
myself and started crying: “I’m
Carly Pearce, and I just lost my
record deal, and have no idea
what I’m doing.” Kelsea Ballerini
was in there. She was about toput out her debut single, and
we became friends right then,
and she championed me long
before I had my [current] record
deal. She’s taken me out on every
one of her tours prior to me
having any singles on the radio.
She talked about me in every
interview. And when “Every
Little Thing” happened, she
sent a cake, flowers, and a card.
She is the perfect example of a
woman who had no reason other
than her pure heart. I’ll never
forget that, and I hope to pay it
forward someday.
ML: It helps you pass it on.
When people are nice to you, you
turn around and you’re nice to
someone else, because you realize
how scary it is out there at first.
It doesn’t necessarily get easier.
You just get used to it. I think it’s
important that you let the younger
generation know, “Hey, we’re
dealing with the same thing.
We’re all in the same boat.”On the Next Generation
ML: Maren Morris is just an
incredible artist. She does what
she wants unapologetically, which
I think is really cool. She’s one of
my favorite up-and-coming artists.
RM: I always learn stuff from the
younger females. It’s a lot of fun.
We just did a thing for Spotify
with RaeLynn, Maddie and Tae,
Abby Anderson, and Lauren
Jenkins. I would say, “Who are
you listening to in the country
music business now?” And
they’d tell me. And then I’d say,
“Well, who do you think is really
working hard and isn’t getting the
attention?” And oh my gosh! They
were jumping up on the soapbox
to talk about this person who was
not getting the recognition they
should. It was so inspiring to see
them say that instead of “I have no
idea what anybody else is doing.” PEARCE:^ RACHEL^ DEEB.