If Ashley McBryde invited all of her duet partners to her birthday party, it’d be an all-star event worthy of a red carpet and a television special.
But this birthday, McBryde isn’t having that party. She’s turning 42 years old tonight on tour in California. She’ll play Cascade Theatre in Redding.
Born July 29, 1983, Ashley Dyan McBryde released her breakthrough song “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” in 2017. A brave and direct storyteller with a welcoming soul and no-nonsense style, McBryde quickly became a favorite of her fellow artists and country music fans.
“(Ashley) reminds me of singers like Mary Chapin Carpenter who are real storytellers,” Eric Church told Garden and Gun. “She commands such respect. Other songwriters are calling her first when they have a good idea.”
Videos by American Songwriter
Ashley McBryde was Born July 29, 1983
A Grammy, CMA, and ACM award winner, McBryde learned to work a stage playing country songs in biker bars. The Arkansas native dropped her major label debut album Girl Going Nowhere in 2018, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album with her first effort. By the end of 2019, she was named ACM New Female Artist, CMA New Artist, and CMT Breakout Artist. The accolades kept pouring in – and as they did, so did potential collaborators. Her GRAMMY-winning duet with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” became her first No. 1 song. Since then, she’s dueted with artists ranging from Gretchen Wilson and Jenna Paulette to Vince Gill and Wynonna. She even released a collaborative album with Brothers Osborne, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark, and Pillbox Patti.
In honor of McBryde’s birthday, here’s a list of some of her most memorable collaborations – and the artists at the top of her birthday party guest list.
Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”
Written by Pearce, McBryde, and Shane McAnally, “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” is a modern take on the classic “other woman” narrative. Told from the perspective of both women unknowingly involved with the same man, it’s a duet, but not a confrontation. Pearce and McBryde tell their own side of the story in alternating verses and shared choruses.
“We kind of bonded over never wanting to find yourself in that scenario,” McBryde told the Washington Post. “I told them, ‘I don’t care, I will happily tell you about the last time I went through someone’s phone.’”
Ashley McBryde and Jenna Paulette, “The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song)”
The sentimental song began as a solo track on Paulette’s sophomore album, Horseback, released in September 2024. McBryde wrote the song with Matraca Berg and Lori McKenna, and Paulette dedicated it to her grandfather.
Ashley McBryde and Gretchen Wilson, “Redneck Woman”
McBryde invited Wilson to surprise fans with a raucous duet of Wilson’s anthem, “Redneck Woman,” at CMA Fest 2024. The collaboration was in celebration of the song’s 20th anniversary.
“We had a blast sharing the stage,” McBryde said on TV Insider. “Gretchen is so down-to-earth and easy to be around, so performing with her was like working with a friend you’ve known forever. She helped pave the way for so many of us and showed us truck-driving country women, you can do it your way.”
Ashley McBryde and Vince Gill, “When I Call Your Name”
Gill and McBryde took the stage at Ryman Auditorium to honor producer Tony Brown, who was receiving an ACM Icon Award at the 2024 ACM Honors. McBryde and Gill wowed with his 1990 hit “When I Call Your Name.” McBryde covered Patty Loveless’ iconic harmonies.
“We’re looking at the icon status here,” McBryde told American Songwriter. “Me doing Patty Loveless is overwhelming and nerve‑wracking, but it is also a really good feeling that Vince said, ‘I want Ashley to sing that.’ I’m glad he trusts me to do it.”
Ashley McBryde with Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Pillbox Patti, Aaron Raitiere, and Benjy Davis, Lindeville
Lindeville is McBryde’s critically acclaimed concept album that she released in 2022. It’s an entirely unique theatrical storytelling project that builds an entire fictional small town—Lindeville—populated by quirky, flawed characters. Lindeville is a fictional town named after songwriter Dennis Linde, who wrote “Goodbye Earl” (Dixie Chicks). The album of colorful personalities and dark humor is named for the town.
“It really has shown me how many rules that I’ve followed that I didn’t have to follow,” McBryde told ABC. We put this record out that no one should have, technically, according to the rules. Then it’s so loved and embraced by our community and by our peers. I’m not ever doing anything just regular ever again.”
(Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
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