Carter Faith, the rising star of country music, is making waves with her exceptional debut album, *Cherry Valley*, which was released on October 3, 2025. The record has earned critical acclaim and a historic nomination for Album of the Year at the upcoming 2026 ACM Awards, marking Faith as the first artist in a decade to receive such recognition for their debut effort. The North Carolina native’s innovative sound, steeped in various eras of life and music, resonates profoundly with fans, establishing her as one of the industry’s most noteworthy new voices.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Carter-Faith-1-061026-86b8af6c09b34511853c9e2a6be6cb0c.jpg)
During a recent chat with PEOPLE at her LoveShackFancy pop-up in Nashville, Faith discussed the inspiration behind her debut album. She described *Cherry Valley* as a thoughtful blend of influences from different moments in country music and beyond. “I think the Cherry Valley universe is timeless,” she stated. “It’s inspired by so many different eras of life and country music, as well as music in general. When you combine these various times, it creates a classic feel.”
The timeless nature of *Cherry Valley* has struck a chord with listeners since its release, a sentiment that still astonishes Faith. “The most surreal thing is that I totally made this record just for myself and my producer, Topher Brown. We weren’t focused on who would listen to it. We created something that we would love regardless of whether anyone else heard it,” she reflected.
As Faith worked diligently on this paramount project, she encountered unexpected moments that ultimately became some of her favourite parts of the album. One such instance is the song “Six String,” which she referred to as a pleasant surprise. Initially uncertain about how the track would sound after being fleshed out with a full band, it turned into one of her favourites. “It was always one of my favourites, and although it wasn’t the most commercial track, we decided to make it super weird — and it’s now my favourite,” she expressed.
Looking ahead, Faith is set to expand the *Cherry Valley* experience with a deluxe edition titled *Cherry Valley Forever*. This new release will feature collaborations with artists, including the much-anticipated track with Wyatt Flores, called “Nothin’ Better to Do.” Faith shared her excitement for this collaboration, revealing her admiration for Flores’s artistry. “I think he’s so dope, really, and I’m excited for that,” she added.
In addition to the track with Flores, *Cherry Valley Forever* will include several new songs such as “Dead Horse,” “Pearl Handled Pistol,” “If a Man’s From Texas,” and “Ain’t Over Me Yet.” The last track is particularly noteworthy as it has already been released as a teaser, offering fans a glimpse into the evolving soundscape of Faith’s music.
Despite originally crafting *Cherry Valley* for her own enjoyment, Faith is mindful of how it has developed into a musical sanctuary for her listeners worldwide. “I hope fans are excited to come hang out—with me, but also with each other,” she explained, describing the safe space her music creates for fans. “I feel like I created a little universe, and I hope they all have fun together.”
Looking to the future, Faith has assured her audience that the influence of *Cherry Valley* will continue to resonate as she remains busy with new songwriting endeavors. “I’m always writing, so I’m definitely working on the next thing,” she teased, hinting at the possibility of capturing a moment in time with her future projects.
Currently, the artist is embarking on a monumental 2026 stadium tour with Post Malone, a collaboration that leaves her both thrilled and amazed. “I’m most excited about seeing his show every night,” Faith remarked, acknowledging that, as a huge fan of Malone, she’ll be enjoying his concerts without the financial burden of purchase. “It’s like getting to go to a bunch of free concerts!”
Fans can catch Carter Faith on the road as part of *The BIG ASS Stadium Tour Part 2*. The highly anticipated *Cherry Valley Forever* will be available on all major streaming platforms starting July 24, inviting listeners back into her eclectic world of music that beautifully fuses the past and the present.