Carly Pearce’s Year Just Keeps Getting Better With ACM Nomination

“It’s just surreal. I don't really know how to put it into words," Pearce told SLN over the phone.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Carly Pearce’s Year Just Keeps Getting Better With ACM Nomination
Carly Pearce; Photo via Instagram

When the Academy of Country Music revealed the nominees for its 53rd annual celebration, first-time nominee Carly Pearce had no idea she’d be celebrating with those named during an early morning flight.

“I was on a flight, and I was trying not to scream too loud and scare everyone,” Pearce recalled during a phone call with Sounds Like Nashville after learning of her New Female Vocalist of the Year nomination. “It’s just surreal. I don’t really know how to put it into words. You watch these shows your whole life, and you want so badly to one day see your name under one of the nomination categories.”

Pearce, who had hosted Sounds Like Nashville’s red carpet at the 2017 ACM Awards, said the second she heard her name was a complete full circle moment in her professional life.

“To know that one year ago I was on the carpet with y’all and now to actually be on the other side and be nominated is crazy. It just keeps getting better,” she said with a laugh.

Though she was in the midst of a busy travel day, Pearce was able to connect with her parents, who had encouraged her to follow her dream and allowed her to leave school and pursue music. She celebrated with them, via text, and they reveled in the massively successful year she’s had since releasing her debut No.1 single, “Every Little Thing.”

“We’re on a text chain, my parents and my aunt and uncle. They are very excited and freaking out,” she shared. “They’ve been sharing all the videos of different people saying that I was nominated. They are so excited every day. They’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, you did it!’ I was with two of the members of my band which was really fun. We got to celebrate that. They were really excited. They actually videoed and took photos for me.”

While her family only chatted through technology, Pearce was able to celebrate her latest accomplishment among a long list with guests aboard her Southwest flight. She’ll soon learn the news of her fate when she attends the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 15 in Las Vegas.