It's not easy for a rising artist to get a stamp of approval from a country star as influential as Eric Church. But Arkansas native Ashley McBryde has already earned the title of Church's "favorite artist out right now that's not out yet." Why? Just take a look at this footage of McBryde playing her song "Bible and a .44" alongside Church during his Chicago concert last month.
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Although McBryde is a newcomer when it comes to the mainstream country world, she's been making a name for herself in Nashville for over a decade. She independently released her first EP in 2006 and has been constantly penning tunes and playing shows since. Over the years, she's earned opening slots for big names like Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr.
More than ten years later, she's earning a lot of buzz for her new single "A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega," a honky-tonk anthem for the heartbroken and downtrodden. The tune is already racking up spins on satellite radio and plays on streaming platforms. It's also an impressive preview of McBryde's in-the-works debut LP which is being produced by Jay Joyce.
In a time when female country voices are so desperately needed on the airwaves, McBryde deserves to be one of the genre's next big breakthroughs.
You can see Ashley McBryde performing as support for Eric Church on select dates.
Sounds Like: The clear but twangy tone of Brandy Clark with the grit and guts of Miranda Lambert.
Required Listening: "A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega," an inspiring and relatable tune that will get you through those days that can only be survived with a double shot of whiskey.
