Pictured (L-R): Producer Josh Osborne, Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Carly Pearce, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta and Allison Jones, Big Machine Records’ Kris Lamb, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Alexa Campbell
Industry members gathered at the Virgin Hotel on Music Row this week to celebrate another No. 1 hit for the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Carly Pearce.
Hosted by ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, the party commemorated the success of “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” a duet between Pearce and Ashley McBryde that the two co-wrote with Shane McAnally. McBryde and McAnally were not able to attend, but McAnally’s co-producer on the track, Josh Osborne, filled in for them.
Sistad got things started by listing off some of Pearce’s hard-won accomplishments that she’s celebrated over the last two years. On top of being the reigning CMA Female Vocalist, she also holds the equivalent honor at the ACM. “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” was her third No. 1 song.
“We are so proud to have you as part of the ASCAP family, you know that. We’re so happy for all the good things that are happening for you. We love you,” Sistad said.
Altadena’s Daniel Lee was the first of the publishers to say a few words. Lee recognized the song’s co-writers, co-producers, the musicians and the engineers on “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” He thanked Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group and the promotion staff, as well as BMG, SMACK, Jody Williams Songs and Warner Chappell.
Lee made sure to speak about Altadena founder and one of Pearce’s first champions, the late busbee.
“I have to acknowledge busbee. He’s missed, he’s loved, he will never be forgotten,” Lee said, before turning his attention to Pearce. “You are the gold standard for artists. You spoil all of us and you actually are cut from the same cloth as Loretta Lynn.”
Pictured (L-R, back row): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Machine Records’ Kris Lamb and Clay Hunnicutt, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta and Allison Jones, Big Machine Records’ Erik Powell; (L-R, front row): BMG’s Chris Oglesby, SMACK Songs’ Jeremy Groves, Producer Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce, Altadena’s Daniel Lee, Warner Chappell Music’s Ben Vaughn and Spencer Nohe, Jody Williams Songs’ Jody Williams. Photo: Alexa Campbell
BMG’s Chris Oglesby was next up to speak. He said that when Carly Pearce comes to mind, he thinks of three things: work ethic, her reverence for the history of the country music community, and her gift of songwriting.
“She writes what she knows and she writes from the heart,” Oglesby said. “She surrounds herself with creatives who do that same thing and help her paint the pictures that help us all deal with the emotions that we have.”
Label head Borchetta said a few words about his superstar artist, as well. He also had three points he wanted to make: team, song and elite.
Borchetta recognized his team members on getting the song up the charts, as well as his entire staff on Pearce’s stellar 29 project. When speaking about the song, Borchetta highlighted the magic of the demo of “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”
When he turned his attention to Pearce, he equated her to the elite of the genre.
“I’ve had the amazing great fortune to work with what I think is more female vocalists of the year than anyone else,” Borchetta said, listing off the female greats he’s worked with, such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, and more. “I’ve gotten to work with the elite. Now I’m getting to work with one of the members of the next elite in Carly Pearce.”
The Big Machine team then presented Pearce with a Gold plaque for both “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” and “What He Didn’t Do.”
Next up to speak was co-producer Josh Osborne.
“Writing is something I’ve done most of my life. Production is something I’m not as confident in, but when you hear songs like this, they just make sense instantly,” Osborne said.
“Shane and I are getting a lot of kudos for the production but I can just tell you that Carly is just as much a part of that if not more than we are. She is the driving force behind this. When you hear a great Carly Pearce record, she is the reason it is a great Carly Pearce record.”
Next it was time to hear from the star of the hour. She made sure to thank her whole team, from Sistad, the person who first believed in her, to Borchetta, Oglesby, Lee, her co-creators, her band and crew, and her new manager Narvel Blackstock.
“It takes people in the beginning to say yes,” she said. “It’s been a magical two years for me. I’ve grown up in this town with a lot of you. I moved here at 19 only thinking about one day being someone who mattered in country music. I understand that you have to support the other people around you and I feel so held and so supported. I’m so grateful for that.”
The post Carly Pearce Celebrates Third No. 1 ‘Never Wanted To Be That Girl’ appeared first on MusicRow.com.