Carly Burruss is Wide Open Country's Front Porch Feelings promotion winner for her song, "Southern Pace."
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Burruss told Wide Open Country that penned the song after a years-long period of touring and traveling. At that time, her life was "really chaotic."
"I had the title Southern Pace in my notes for several years, and I brought it to my friend and long-time co-writer Dee Briggs. He's one of the best storytellers I know, and he absolutely knocked it out of the park," she said. "The song wrote itself. We wanted to paint a picture of what home felt like to us."
Now, Burruss said the track "remains one of my most favorite songs."
"'Southern Pace' is all about the feeling of being at home and being at peace," Burruss said. "My favorite places in the world are the places I can be outside, go for a walk, and be with the people I love."
"One of those places is at my parents' house sitting on the back porch by the pool. The other is Onsite just outside of Nashville where I spent time in residential treatment surrounded by the most beautiful trees, acres of land, animals, and friends," she continued. "That place specifically speaks to the last line of the chorus—'a sacred space, a southern pace.'"
Burruss further noted that "slowing down gives me the space to sit with myself, tend to what needs healing, and reconnect with my sources of life and joy—God and my friends and family."
Read on to learn more about Burruss.
Carly Burruss Q&A
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SONGWRITING? WHAT GOT YOU INTO MUSIC IN THE FIRST PLACE?
My kindergarten teacher read us Shel Silverstein poems, and that sparked my love for comedy and storytelling. Paired with my grandparents' collection of Ray Stevens records, I got obsessed with comedy and songwriting. I also grew up in a church that deeply valued music, and because of that I started singing and playing piano really young.
I didn't always love it, but as I got older I took it really seriously and played one of the first songs I ever wrote on a whim one Sunday morning, which was so out of character. After that I never looked back! In college, I formed a bluegrass band with two friends called the Sawnee Mountain Train Wreck and that was my first foray into playing with a band. Shortly after that, I got to perform with Keith Urban on tour. That's where I really got the bug for touring and playing.
WHAT HAS WINNING MEANT TO YOU?
Winning this promotion reminds me how much I love to tell stories, and that there's value in what I bring to the world through my creativity. Being honored for doing what I love is so encouraging. It can be easy to forget who I am or what makes me special as an artist and songwriter, so this has lit a fire under me again to keep telling my stories.
WHAT SONGWRITERS AND ARTISTS DO YOU COUNT AS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS? WHY?
Kacey Musgraves is who I credit with kicking off my artist career. Her first album came out when I was in high school. That was the first time I heard someone tell a story like I did—with humor, heart, and an old-school country sensibility. It showed me a lane I didn't know existed, and it was off to the races from there.
In middle school and high school, I was crashing my family's computer downloading Lori McKenna and Kara Dioguardi songwriter demos from Limewire while everyone else was listening to Top 40, so there were definitely signs I was headed in that direction. Right now I'm especially obsessed with Medium Build, Ryman, and Laci Kaye Booth.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PLANS IN 2026.
I've been writing like crazy this year for the first time in awhile. I took some time off to live my life, do stand-up, and act in a TV show. So let's just say I have PLENTY to talk about, and you'll hear it very soon!
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CAREER DREAM?
My biggest career dreams are to host a TV show and go out on a combo comedy/music tour. I want to be back on the road meeting people, playing music, making people laugh, and telling stories. I want to have fun. That's what brings me life, and I look forward to re-aligning my gifts with what brings me joy.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHER ARTISTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING ENTERING THE CONTEST?
Always throw your hat in the ring. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! The biggest wins in my career have come from betting on myself. What's meant for you will never miss you.
Photos by Roxy Moure
