When the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone into their homes, and artists off the road, Carly Pearce didn’t head to the Nashville home she shares with her husband, Michael Ray. Instead, the Kentucky native traveled to Alabama, to be closer to her mother, Jackie, although she reveals that because of her mom’s health challenges, they still have to stay away from each other.
“Even though I’m going to see her, I’m staying at a different house,” Carly shared with her record label. “I’m not going to be really around her. She has Stage 4 COPD. So this is a really, just terrifying time for my family … she already has probably 30 percent lung use.”
Carly understands how hard it is for people to continue to social distance, but she urges her friends and fans to continue doing it, for people with health struggles like her own mother.
“I am literally one of those people that’s like, ‘Do this for my mom if you’re not doing it for anybody else,'” Carly urged. “It’s killing her to not be able to be around me. So, this coronavirus has taken a hit in my immediate family of just trying to make sure she’s all right.”
Carly chose to stay close to her parents mostly because she was afraid of not being by her mother, should her mother’s health take a turn for the worse.
“I made the decision to come down here to Alabama for the last month because frankly, I got scared,” Pearce told People. “My mom has weak lungs and she had some scares last year with pneumonia — I just didn’t want to be seven hours away from her right now. I’m an only child, so I made that decision.”
Carly celebrated her 30th birthday in Alabama on April 24 with a low-key celebration, instead of a big, wine-filled party she would have likely had if she wasn’t being forced to social distance. Still, Carly admits she was overall very happy with the way she spent her big day.
“I’m pretty introverted, so I’m actually relieved that I don’t have to have some blowout 30th birthday party,” Carly said. “I’m perfectly fine with a quiet day and a little wine and just the chance to be happy. It’s really all I need.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of BMLG / John Shearer
