Carly Pearce Helps Michael Bublé’s Nashville Dreams Come True at the Opry (Exclusive)

It’s the holiday season — and no one is feeling more festive than Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce!

The crooner, 49, and the country star, 34, recently teamed up for the soulful duet “Maybe This Christmas,” and on Sunday, Dec. 15, performed the track together at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

The event marked Bublé’s Opry debut, and since Pearce is something of a Nashville veteran, he was sure to show him the ropes.

“I love country music and I love the reverence she has for the heroes she’s had,” Bublé told PEOPLE of Pearce, who served as his team’s playoff mentor this season. The voice. “And at the same time, she’s a contemporary contemporary artist who brings country forward.”

The singer added that he felt no other singer could have helped him achieve “Maybe This Christmas” the way Pearce did.

“She has a piercing, beautiful voice. She is an incredible storyteller,” he said. “I remember turning to my wife (Luisana) in bed and I said, ‘Babe, there’s no other woman in the world of music who could have done this and sounded like this’.”

Here, the collaborators take PEOPLE exclusively behind the scenes of their Nashville weekend at the Opry.

Sacred Circle

Jamie Wendt


“I loved watching Michael take his first step into the circle. It brings me back to my first time in 2015!” – Carly

“Carly brought me into a world I never would have been a part of and I couldn’t thank her enough.” – Michael

Boots made for walking

Sydney Grommesh


“We had to stop by the Lucchese Boot Company before the show! I felt like Michael needed a new pair of boots to remember his Opry debut!” – Carly

Let the night begin

Sydney Grommesh


“Getting to walk Michael through the artist entrance and show him all my favorite parts of the Opry House was so special to me!” – Carly

“It was so great to walk in with Carly and see her really at home.” – Michael

A big deal

Jamie Wendt


“Stepping into the circle at the Opry is one of my top five career moments.” – Michael

A great lineup

Jamie Wendt


“The stage was stacked Sunday night with so many of my favorite artists. I was excited for Michael to hear The Isaacs from the side stage.” – Carly

Whine out

Jamie Wendt


“There’s not a door closed backstage. We had an impromptu jam session with The Isaacs for an hour, playing Hank (Williams), Patsy (Cline) and all the greats.” – Michael

106th time’s the charm

Jamie Wendt


“My 106th time standing in the circle!” – Carly

Worlds collide

Jamie Wendt


“I loved introducing Michael to my girl, Kelsea Ballerini. They are both coaches for next season The voice and it was great that we both got to be there for his moment!” – Carly

A special moment

Jamie Wendt


“To be in that church and get to stand where the greatest ever stood and honor history was unreal.” – Michael

A dream realized

Jamie Wendt


“Singing ‘Maybe This Christmas’ on the stage that made country music famous – doesn’t get any better than that!” – Carly

“I’m a massive country fan and it was truly a dream come true to play the Opry.” – Michael

Taking it in

Jamie Wendt


The audience watches as Carly and Michael perform their festive duet.

Sign of the times

Jamie Wendt


Carly and Michael both signed a special pamphlet highlighting the night’s event.

Real friends

Jamie Wendt


“Michael and I have become so close over the past few months. He really understands what the circle represents and it was so clear to see him on stage.” – Carly

Hi Kelsea!

Jamie Wendt


“Love these two! I’ve played the Opry so many times and I can honestly say it was one of my favorite nights ever.” – Carly

“It was really so special to have my sisters Carly Pearce and Kelsea Ballerini introduce me for my first time ever at the Opry.” – Michael

Make spirits light

Jamie Wendt


“Cheers to an incredible night with a glass of my Fraser & Thompson whiskey and Carly’s special brand of Conundrum wine.” – Michael

Modern technology

Alyssa Barker/Apple Music


“We recorded ‘Maybe This Christmas’ on an iPhone 16 Pro with the new vocal recording feature on Voice Memos, so we couldn’t leave Nashville without stopping by Apple Music.” – Michael