ASHLEY McBryde is the singer bringing old school swagger to country music.
With towering tones, she sings from the heart about ordinary lives . . . and admits she’s “a bourbon and whiskey enthusiast”.
Ashley found fame the hard way, doing waitress and security guard jobs to support her music ambitions.
Today marks the UK release of her debut album, the authentic, effervescent Girl Going Nowhere, and she’s one of the stars performing at C2C in London, Glasgow and Dublin next weekend. Here, exclusively for SFTW, she tells her story to Simon Cosyns . . .
When did you first get into singing?
Oh gosh . . . I can’t ever remember NOT singing. I made little songs up as a small, small child. I’d sing about my chores . . . even walking to the mailbox (down a dirt road and pretty far for a kiddo).
I’d sing about the birds and rabbits I’d see. I basically never shut up.
I was 12 when I came into the living room at my grandparents house and proclaimed I had written a song. It was called Fight The Flames. My mother asked me where I’d gotten the song. I was so offended. I looked down at my guitar and back at her and said, “I WROTE IT!” She smiled and said, “Ohhh boy”.
When did you realise that a career in music was for you?
I was five years old the first time I announced to my family that I was going to be a singer and make up songs for the radio. And it really never changed. I knew I should at least attempt to be decent at something else as I got older, but it was always music.
Tell us about all jobs you had to do . . . and what was your big breakthrough moment?
Oh man… the jobs I’ve had. Waitress, security guard at a hospital, veterinarian technician, band camp teacher. I was a terrible waitress but I believe EVERYONE should be in the service industry at some point. I also worked in music retail. I wasn’t bad at that but it wasn’t filling my soul. I did anything to eat and still write and perform 5-6 nights a week.
Do you agree with fellow country singer Eric Church that you’re a “whiskey- drinking badass?”
Haha, his words, not mine. But It seems to have stuck. I am a bourbon and whiskey enthusiast and I suppose I’ve gained a reputation surrounding it. I wouldn’t label myself that, but I don’t shy away from it either.
How come the “worst day ever” led to A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega?
All three of us songwriters had had an awful day separately. So before we started writing, we were sharing stories about our “worst days ever.” That spurred Jesse to tell us about the time his car broke down as he was leaving Atlanta. He wound up going to the Crimson Moon in Dahlonega GA and stayed to hear the show, which happened to be Shawn Mullins. He met a girl that night (“pretty little blonde thing lookin’ your way” from the song) and they wound up getting married. All we had to do at that point was make the truth rhyme.
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Like you, I love Guy Clark, so tell the story of Girl Going Nowhere?
Guy Clark’s music came into my life when I was a teenager. Dublin Blues was the record. When I heard Stuff That Works and Randall Knife, my mind was blown. The beauty and the power of stating such complex feelings so simply opened my eyes. I owe him a lot.
The day we wrote Girl Going Nowhere, Mr. Clark had passed away that morning. I was pretty upset. It was visible when I met my co-writer Jeremy Bussey. To calm me down we chatted about when we each moved to town (Nashville). A few stories really stuck out.
Jeremy said, “Have you played the Opry?” I answered, “Not yet. But I will.” He smiled and said, “All we have to do today is write what you’d like to say to all those people the first time you step into the circle. And let’s write it in such a way that if Guy Clark had to listen to it, he wouldn’t mind.”
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Why is honesty such an important quality in country music?
Honesty is important in everything we do. But especially in country music. The heritage and tradition of country music was built on storytelling. Stories about real, hardworking, sometimes misunderstood human beings.
You’re on the same C2C bill as Chris Stapleton and Lyle Lovett. Your impressions of those two?
We’ve done a few shows with Chris Stapleton. His show never gets old. Ever. His voice is golden. His voice with (partner) Morgane’s beautiful harmonies is just perfection.
Lyle Lovett!!! I’ve never had the chance to see him live! But If I Had a Boat is on many of my playlists. I’m a fan of the man and the legend he is. I can’t wait to experience it live.
Which women in country music do you admire most?
I admire so many but I’ll keep it short here. Miranda Lambert of course. She’s fierce. She’s honest. She’s a damn fine entertainer and vocalist. I learned a lot opening for her.
Reba. I don’t need to say her last name, right? When it comes to class, career, and earning every inch and mile, it’s Reba.
