GRAMMY TALK: ASHLEY MCBRYDE

When Carrie Underwood rang Warner Nashville’s Ashley McBryde to tell the tatted blue-jean queen that she’d been named the ACM New Female Artist of the Year, McBryde beamed with delight before tossing a Solo Cup full of beer in the direction of a nearby barn on a sunny spring day.

This down-to-earth songstress is both real and the real deal. 2019 has proved to be a breakout year for her, as McBryde went on to nab CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year prize, the org’s Breakout Artist of the Year award and the prestigious CMA New Artist of the Year honor.

“‘Girl Goin’ Nowhere’ is the song that keeps on giving,” she shared. “I was blown away by our first Grammy nomination for Best Country Album last year. And now, ‘Girl Goin’ Nowhere’ gets two nominations?!”

This time around, the title track, produced by the versatile Jay Joyce, is being considered for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song. Shortly after the 2020 Grammy telecast, McBryde is scheduled to open arenas and amphitheaters as direct support for newly minted superstar Luke Combs. She was on the road with Miranda Lambert this October and November.

The New York Times hailed Girl Going Nowhere as “among the most varied, warm and effortlessly confident country music albums of the past few years,” while, Rolling Stone asserted that McBryde is “emerging as one of the most exciting new voices in country music.” Seems like plenty of people would agree.