What success looks like is often a matter of perspective.
For Ashley McBryde, it’s standing among great country artists such as Dolly Parton and Wynonna Judd.
Some may say she did it with spectacular grace.
As a child, McBryde was surrounded by music.
McBryde’s father, William McBryde, juggled several careers, including as a doctor and a preacher.
William also had a deep interest in music and collected several expensive guitars.
When asked about this particular memory during a 2019 interview withFaceCulture,McBryde recalled being scolded by her parents.
“I remember the spanking that followed,” she stated.
“I was disciplined for it pretty harshly because they were nice guitars.
After she learned about chord progressions and other musical elements, it was time for McBryde to add vocals.
That would not happen, so I better have a really good backup plan.'
Her words really weighed on me the rest of my growing-up life.”
According to her interview with FaceCulture in 2018, she went there to study music.
“I was a French horn major and I loved it.
I loved studying classical music,” she recalled.
“It’s pretty important, especially to me now.
I wish I’d appreciated it more then, the way I do it now.”
While there, McBryde started to perform at bars in Memphis after a friend convinced her to do so.
Sadly, this wouldn’t be enough to make her appeal to several record labels.
This was until 2014 when John Peets discovered McBryde.
“But I’m attracted to the misfits and the ones who don’t fit in.”
One of these happened to be “Bible and a .44.”
In 2018, McBryde toldPopCultureshe was extremely anxious before the show.
“I was super nervous,” she stated.
As long as I don’t fall, then it’s a good night."
Amid her breakthrough, McBryde was met with a devastating loss just months after her debut album was released.
In June 2018, McBryde’s brother, Clay McBryde, died by suicide.
In turn, McBryde experienced strong symptoms of anxiety.
“I developed anxiety really, really, really bad right after Clay died,” she said.
“I mean, they were bad panic attacks.
They are under control now, but I didn’t understand what was going on.”
Instead of taking time away, McBryde continued to fulfill her musical obligations to the best of her ability.
“I said to myself, ‘It’s not about you, so get over yourself.’
They care how they feel.
And in the end, that’s all I care about.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
“That would have been an impossible facade to keep up.
That would break my heart.”
Though it was the beginning of her career, it catapulted her further into legendary status.
As a result, McBryde was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2022.
Nonetheless, the moment was pivotal for McBryde, only adding to her long list of achievements.
“I had no idea what I was going to say, which is nice.
“And that kind of we giggled together, and that kind of calmed us down.”
As McBryde continued her rise to stardom, however, she became warier about her health.
In addition to exercising regularly, McBryde also changed her relationship with alcohol.
“I did it for me.
I didn’t do it for social media.”
Whether vocally or mentally, McBryde is clearly making decisions for her career based on longevity.
