Carly Pearce is still grieving the loss of her friend and producer, Busbee (real name: Michael James Ryan Busbee), who passed away last September, after a brief but fierce battle with brain cancer. It was at his funeral where she was inspired to write a new song, “Show Me Around,” which she just debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.
“I put out a record in February, and my producer, his name was Busbee, and he wrote all of the songs that you’ve heard on the radio with me, and produced both of my albums, and just really took a chance on me when nobody did,” Carly said prior to performing the new song. “When I turned my record in last summer, at the age of 43 he found out that he had glioblastoma brain cancer, and in eight weeks, he passed away. At his funeral, a songwriter that all of us in Nashville love named Barry Dean, gave the most beautiful speech.
“Busbee had three little girls and a beautiful wife,” she continued. “He painted this picture of Heaven that was so beautiful to me, that Busbee had a map, and he was getting the lay of the land, and figuring out all the places, just like Disneyland, that he wanted to show his family, and show all of us. Anybody that’s ever lost anybody, this felt like a really cool way to look at our loved ones that are gonna meet us in Heaven and show us around.”
Busbee, along with hit songwriter Emily Shackleton, co-wrote Carly’s No. 1 hit, “Every Little Thing.” He also produced her self-titled sophomore album, which was released on February 14. Carly honored Busbee at her album release party held earlier this year.
“A huge part of this record is Busbee, and Busbee turned this record in ten days before we found out he was sick,” Carly said at an industry party to celebrate the release of the record. “As I have been working with him, he has become part of my family. I can’t really put into words the amount of emotions I feel just putting this record out, and to be quite honest with you, I had a moment where I didn’t want to put it out, because I didn’t really know what music looked like without him.
“He taught me so much about owning who I am as a songwriter, as an artist,” she continued. “He pushed me to the point that I hated him at times. But he really felt like this record was gonna take me to the next level, and I just feel grateful for the time that I got with him.”
Carly performed at the Opry with Steve Wariner, Lee Brice and her husband, Michael Ray. The Grand Ole Opry will continue its weekly consecutive shows on Saturday, June 13, with Lady Antebellum, and the Scott Family. Find more information, including how to watch live, at Opry.com.
