They Built Their Dream Home Together
Carrie and Mike spent $3.25 million on 400 acres south of Nashville in 2011, and in 2016, they started designing what she’s called her “forever home” — a sprawling modern farmhouse that took years to build. “My must-haves are a woodburning fireplace, a porch swing and rocking chairs,” Carrie’s said. While she has a convenient washer-dryer in her closet, Mike, an avid hunter, has decorated with taxidermy, including deer, a turkey and a wolf.
Little things about Mike annoyed her,” says the insider. “She left the house whenever she could to have space, and would disappear for hours. It was all very innocent, but he’d accuse her of lying and hiding things. Mike felt like he was losing Carrie and became super-needy.”
It doesn’t help that Carrie loves to work. In just the past two years, she’s released a book, a Christmas album, a gospel album and multiple duets, including the Jason Aldean chart-topper. She launched a Las Vegas residency in December that’s since been extended, and is now preparing to drop a new country album, which means life will get even busier. Mike, meanwhile, has been running apparel company Catchin’ Deers with his brother, and in May will speak at a men’s Christian leadership conference.
“Mike is seeing even less of Carrie. He goes crazy thinking about all the guys she’s working closely with, like Jason,” says the insider. “He’ll sometimes hit the bar and get drunk with his friends as a distraction or because he’s bored and feeling lonely.”
Her hectic schedule also led to a nasty war of words recently. “Mike hoped Carrie would slow down, so when she told him about adding dates to her residency, he blew up,” reveals the insider. “It was the worst fight they’ve ever had, and Carrie stormed out that night.” The clash changed everything for Carrie. “She feels trapped in a bad marriage,” claims the insider. “They’ve tried everything to make things work — therapy, couples retreats — but nothing seems to help. Carrie and Mike act like strangers half of the time.”
FORGING FORWARD
According to the insider, Carrie is eager to avoid “a courtroom showdown” over their sons, Isaiah, 7, and Jacob, 3, and the $8 million house that they painstakingly designed together (see sidebar). “She’s staying strong for her boys and doing her best to keep the family intact,” adds the insider. “If Mike doesn’t learn to control his jealousy and temper though, he could push her away — and losing Carrie altogether is his worst nightmare.”