Carly Pearce is paying tribute to her longtime friend, songwriting partner and producer, busbee, with the release of a new song, “Show Me Around.” Michael James Ryan—known professionally as busbee—died in 2019 at the age of 43 from an aggressive form of brain cancer.
“As my mentor and friend, busbee helped me share the parts of my own life that I could only explain through music,” says Carly. “He holds such a sweet place in my heart, and I truly hope ‘Show Me Around’ brings comfort to his wife Jess and their three little girls. At his funeral, a songwriter that all of us in Nashville love named Barry Dean gave a speech that painted the most beautiful picture of heaven. There is no way to ease the pain of losing someone you love, this felt like a really hopeful way to look at our loved ones meeting us again one day and showing us around.”
Carly, who co-penned the song with Emily Shackelton and Ben West, honors busbee by singing: “I bet you’re up there right now / Making plans and writing out / All your favorite places / That you just can’t wait to take us / And we’ll get to spend forever talking ’bout whatever / When I get there, promise you’ll track me down / And show me around.”
Not only did busbee produce Carly’s debut and sophomore albums, but he also co-penned many of her songs, including “Every Little Thing,” “Catch Fire,” “Call Me” and more. In addition, busbee’s songwriting credits include Maren Morris’ “My Church,” Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.,” Keith Urban’s “Fighter,” Garth Brooks’ “People Loving People,” Lady Antebellum’s “You Look Good” and more.
Listen to “Show Me Around” below.
