Carly Pearce Helps ‘Close’ Pal Michael Bublé’s Nashville Dreams Come True, from Boots to the Opry Stage (Exclusive)

The “Maybe This Christmas” singers take PEOPLE behind the scenes of their Grand Ole Opry performance

Photo: Jamie Wendt

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 joined forces on 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 as Pearce is something of a Nashville veteran, was sure to show him the ropes.

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

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

“She has a penetrating, beautiful voice. She’s an incredible storyteller,” he said. “I remember I turned to my wife [Luisana] in bed and I said, ‘Babe, there’s no other woman in the world of music that could have done this and sounded like this.’”

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

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Sacred Circle

Jamie Wendt

“I loved getting to watch 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 would never have been a part of, and I couldn’t thank her enough.” – Michael

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Boots Made for Walkin’

Sydney Grommesh

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

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Let the Night Begin

Sydney Grommesh

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

“It was so amazing walking in with Carly and seeing her truly at home.” – Michael

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A Big Deal

Jamie Wendt

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

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A Grand Lineup

Jamie Wendt

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

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Jamming 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

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106th Time’s the Charm

Jamie Wendt

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

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Worlds Colliding

Jamie Wendt

“I loved getting to introduce Michael with my girl, Kelsea Ballerini. They are both coaches for the next season of The Voice and it was amazing that we both got to be there for his moment!” – Carly

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A Special Moment

Jamie Wendt

“To be in that church and to get to stand in a place where the greatest of all time stood and honor the history was unreal.” – Michael

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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 getting to play the Opry.” – Michael

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Taking It In

Jamie Wendt

The crowd looks on as Carly and Michael perform their festive duet.

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Sign of the Times

Jamie Wendt

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

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Real Pals

Jamie Wendt

“Michael and I have become so close the last few months. He really understands what the circle represents, and it was so clear watching him on stage.” – Carly

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Hello, Kelsea!

Jamie Wendt

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

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

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Making Spirits Bright

Jamie Wendt

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

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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