Carly Pearce

Carly Pearce

Author: Artist Friendly Media September 16, 2026 Duration: 43:04
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Carly Pearce. Born in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, Carly Pearce left high school at 16 to take a performing job at Dollywood, then moved to Nashville at 19 to chase a solo career full-time — working odd jobs and driving her own van between shows before her big break finally came. Her 2017 debut single, "Every Little Thing," launched a run that's since brought her a Grammy, three CMA Awards, and four ACM Awards, including CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2021. That same year, Dolly Parton personally invited her to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, one of the highest honors in country music. Pearce's most acclaimed work, 2021's 29: Written in Stone, turned the pain of her divorce into a Grammy-winning album, and she's continued that streak of raw, unflinching songwriting on 2024's Hummingbird and this year’s Honest Woman. While talking with Joel, Carly opens up about the years of grinding it out before anyone was paying attention, learning to trust her own instincts instead of everyone else's opinions, and why she's finally made peace with even the hardest chapters of her story. (0:00) – High Heels in the Warehouse(1:11) – Dolly Parton Fulfilled a Lifelong Opry Dream(1:59) – Country Grandparents, Southern Rock Parents(6:33) – Quitting School at Age Fourteen(11:25) – Forbes 30 Under 30 & Grand Ole Opry Member(17:10) – Reclaiming Her Artistic Voice(21:14) – Writing Through a Public Divorce(24:53) – Music as a Lifeline(26:46) – Kentucky Bluegrass Roots on Record(35:51) – Six Shows a Day at Dollywood(36:46) – Faith as Her Grounding Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a familiar rhythm to most conversations with musicians, but Artist Friendly with Joel Madden deliberately breaks that pattern. Hosted by the Good Charlotte frontman and founder, this podcast from Alternative Press operates from a place of shared understanding. Joel isn't just a host; he's been in the exact seats his guests occupy, navigating the complexities of life as an artist, performer, and entrepreneur. That unique perspective allows him to bypass the usual promotional chatter and get to the heart of what a creative life actually entails. Each episode feels like a candid backstage conversation, where today's most compelling breakthrough artists-from chart-topping names to those just on the cusp-feel comfortable revealing the real stories. They discuss the pivotal breaks that seemed to come from nowhere, the crushing failures that ultimately redirected their path, and the specific, often unglamorous, insider moves that truly made a difference in their careers. Listening, you gain an authentic masterclass in creative survival, straight from the people living it. This isn't about surface-level anecdotes; it's about the gritty, practical, and human experiences behind the music and art we love. For anyone curious about the reality of building a life in the arts, this podcast offers a rare and genuinely insightful window.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Artist Friendly with Joel Madden
Podcast Episodes
Zac Brown (Rerun) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:09
On this week's rerun episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by ⁠Zac Brown⁠. The Zac Brown Band have been a torchbearer within Southern music, bringing their wide-ranging blend of country, pop, rock, and soul t…
Alexandra Kay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:44
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Alexandra Kay. The last time Kay appeared on Artist Friendly, she was getting ready to tour in support of her debut album, 2023’s All I’ve Ever Known, w…
Jutes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:52
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Jutes. Springing out of Ottawa, Canada, Jutes is a former film school student turned musician who was raised on the Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, and…
ILLENIUM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:03
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by ILLENIUM. Though ILLENIUM (aka Nick Miller) produces Grammy-nominated EDM, he spent his younger days entrenched in the worlds of alternative rock, metal…
Cameron Diaz (Rerun) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:22
On this week's rerun episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Cameron Diaz. In this Thanksgiving encore, Joel and his sister-in-law share an honest, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about family life, lo…
Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line. Throughout the past decade, the Starting Line have largely stayed active by playing their classics across various tou…
Orville Peck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:39
On this Surprise Drop of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Orville Peck. Though Peck wears a fringe mask whenever he performs, he continues to be one of the few openly queer artists in country. In the duo’s lates…
Ryan Key of Yellowcard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:01
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Ryan Key of ⁠Yellowcard⁠. This October, Yellowcard returned with ⁠Better Days⁠, their first full-length in nearly a decade, produced by ⁠Travis Barker⁠.…
Huddy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:42
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Huddy. From his beginnings at Hype House to starring in Machine Gun Kelly’s Downfalls High film to sharing his own sugary pop punk, Huddy has proved him…