Why You "Never Will" Stop Listening To Ashley McBryde

Arkansas native, Ashley McBryde has been releasing albums since 2006. Her self-titled album Ashley McBryde led the way. Elsebound and Girl Going Nowhere followed and most recently, Never Will was released on April 3rd. Never Will is her second major album released with Warner Music Nashville. It’s possible that we have Eric Church to thank for helping discover one of Country’s powerhouse females. In 2017, Church invited McBryde on stage to perform, “Bible and a .44.” Being introduced on stage as a “whiskey drinking badass” by Eric Church is no small feat. 

2019 was McBryde’s year. She won New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, New Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACM Awards and “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” received Breakthrough Video Of The Year at the CMT Awards. With the instant success of her first single, “One Night Standards” off Never Will, it’s likely she will continue to bring home numerous awards this year! Rolling Stone has praised McBryde for, “countering Nashville’s trucks-and-tailgates formula with stripped down realism.” 

Never Will is an 11-track album home to, “opinionated women, small-town secrets, motel trysts and revenge fantasies.” Never Will is full of bluegrass and southern rock influence. From the powerful female anthem of “One Night Standard” to the heartbreaking story of her brother’s death “Stone”, McBryde mixes her tough side with her soft side. The album's namesake, “Never Will” reveals the struggle that women in country music face. Despite those who attempt to downplay her accomplishments, claim she is a sellout, and the never ending country radio battle, McBryde never will give up. She sings, 

“Well, I didn’t, I don’t, I never will
No, they just started a fire they can’t control
And I wouldn’t trade one moment for the way it feels
Knowin’ I didn’t, I don’t, I never will 
Oh, I never will” 

Haley Moloney