Carly Pearce Fights for Women in Country Music: ‘There’s Such a Lane for Us’

The disadvantages that women face in country music has been a longstanding debate in the genre, and rising artist Carly Pearce is ready to blast through that glass ceiling.

"I think we need more females," Pearce says confidently, citing Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris as modern-day trailblazers. "I think people are wanting more females and there's such a lane for us."

Pearce looks to fierce women like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire and Shania Twain, just to name a few, as a source of inspiration for how to break down doors and leave an impactful impression on the genre. “They all had an identity, they had a lane,” Pearce explains of her idols. "Carving your own lane is the name of the game in my opinion, and that's a true artist if you think of all the big people, you can pick words that are only unique to them."

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The rising star is well on her way to carving her own unique lane in country music with her striking debut single “Every Little Thing” that embodies a sense of honesty and poignancy that makes for a timeless country song. “There isn't somebody doing that, so I think when I came out with this song, it didn't sound like anything,” she says. “I think country fans want as much truth as they can get their hands on and this is truth.”

And you’d be hard-pressed to find an up-and-comer as passionate about the genre as Pearce, who hopes to have a lasting impact on its history like the fiery legends that came before her. “I love country music. I don't care if I ever do anything else. I want to live and die in the genre,” she says passionately. “I hope that in 10, 20, 40 years when you think of the ladies that made an impact on country, you think of me.”

Pearce's debut album, Every Little Thing, is set for release on Oct. 13.

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