Carly Pearce, fresh off her first CMA win, took time this week to honor Busbee, her late friend, mentor and producer.
Busbee, whose real name was Michael James Ryan, was a producer to numerous country and pop stars. He died in September of 2019 from an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was only 43.
The song “I Hope You’re Happy Now” was the final collaboration between Pearce and Busbee. Pearce won the CMA for Best Musical Event. She sang the song at Wednesday’s CMA Awards Show with Lee Brice.
Pearce, who was nominated for three other CMA awards, said “country music … saved my life in 2020.”
Pearce wrote of Busbee:
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” was the very last song Busbee worked on before he got sick. I got to thank him tonight on stage at the Opry and sing this special song that I wrote for him “Show Me Around.” Thank you Busbee. I’ll always know you helped get me my first CMA award.”
Busbee worked with a who’s who list of country stars, including Maren Morris, Garth Brooks, Lady A and Keith Urban. He had vast talents, also having worked with pop stars Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Shakira and Christina Aguilera.
Carly Pearce Wrote “Show Me Around,” a Song About Heaven, For Busbee”
Pearce made her 75th performance at the Opry in June. That’s when she sang the new song she wrote for Busbee.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, not many fans saw her sing the song live. The words are about seeing her friend again in heaven.
“At his funeral, a songwriter that all of us in Nashville love named Barry Dean gave the most beautiful speech,” Pearce said. “And Busbee has three little girls and a beautiful wife. And he painted this picture of heaven that was so beautiful to me.”
“If anybody’s ever lost anybody, this felt like a really cool way to look at our loved ones that are going to meet us in heaven and show us around.”
The first verse of the song:
“I heard you got a brand new place. Seems like at least a million miles away. I hope I get to meet you there someday. And we’ll pick back up like no time passed. Yeah, I pray it happens like that.”
