In 2017, Carly Pearce earned her first No. 1 song with her debut single, the gold-certified "Every Little Thing." It wasn't as though Pearce had earned a country hit overnight, though: The Kentucky native had spent years working to find success in Nashville, after moving to town at the age of 19. Prior to that, Pearce had dropped out of high school as a teenager to move to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and perform at Dollywood.

Below, Pearce recalls to The Boot what it was like hearing herself on the radio for the first time.

I was on radio tour in Louisville when I heard my song for the first time. I remember sitting in the car, about to get out and go into the hotel after a really long day of visiting who knows how many stations -- and hearing it low on the radio dial. I cranked it up so loud and cried because I couldn't believe it was happening.

I'll never forget that moment. I just remember thinking about all of the years I worked, dreamt and poured my heart into this career -- and, finally I was hearing a song I wrote about my story and my heartbreak on a major station.

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