Country singer Carly Pearce has reflected on her longstanding connection with Dolly Parton following the latter’s passing in August. Pearce’s relationship with Parton spans more than two decades, beginning when Pearce was a teenager performing at Dollywood, Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
At age 15, Pearce successfully auditioned for the Country Crossroads show at Dollywood and, a year later, moved with her mother to Pigeon Forge from Kentucky to pursue performing full-time. “I jumped into six shows a day, five days a week,” Pearce recalled, describing her early encounter with Parton during this period as a formative experience. She described the country icon as a guiding influence, remembering Parton’s unique approach to storytelling in music and her role as a pioneer for women in the traditionally male-dominated country music industry.
Pearce recently led a tribute to Parton at the Grand Ole Opry’s August 29 event at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, held just days after Parton’s death. The show coincided with Pearce’s scheduled performance to promote her album Honest Woman, enabling her to honor her late mentor through a rendition of “Those Memories of You,” a song originally recorded by Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. Pearce called the experience both “heavy” and “a big honor,” emphasizing the significance of Parton in her personal and professional journey.
Their paths crossed again professionally years after Dollywood when both artists promoted albums on television. A notable milestone occurred in June 2021, when Parton surprised Pearce backstage during a Dollywood commercial shoot by inviting her to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry— an acknowledgment Pearce considers one of her favorite career moments, alongside winning the 2021 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year and a 2023 Grammy Award for her duet with Ashley McBryde.
Pearce’s new album, Honest Woman, reflects themes of vulnerability, perseverance, and introspection. The album opens with “Dream Come True,” a song that explores the emotional complexities behind career success and personal sacrifice. Pearce noted feeling isolated at times in her pursuit of music, reflecting on the decision to focus on her career over a traditional family life.
Her songwriting draws inspiration from country legends such as Loretta Lynn, with the track “You Can Have Him” evoking traditional country influences and storytelling. Pearce also highlighted the personal nature of “He Don’t Like My Dogs,” a song about her shih tzus, Johnny and June, named after Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. For Pearce, the dogs provide a familial connection in the absence of children.
The album features collaborations with artists including Riley Green, Dan Tyminski of Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Morgane Stapleton, wife of Chris Stapleton. Pearce shared that her partnership with Morgane Stapleton came through a direct message on Instagram, illustrating the evolving nature of networking in the music industry.
Closing the album is “Why God Why Me,” an acoustic ballad underscoring Pearce’s enduring faith, which she described as her “North Star” amid the challenges of the music business. Throughout her work, Pearce strives for honesty and emotional authenticity, qualities she attributes to Parton’s lasting influence.
As Pearce continues to build her career, her connection to Dolly Parton remains a defining thread, highlighting the legacy of one of country music’s most influential figures and the ongoing evolution of the genre.