Five years ago, Ashley McBryde, the country singer, debuted her first major-label single, “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega.” While the song didn’t skyrocket to commercial success, critics loved it. They liked how she sang it with a strong, cozy voice that felt like it came from one of the characters in the song. They also liked how the lyrics painted a clear picture. Even if you’ve never been to Dahlonega, a small town in Georgia, you can still imagine the dive bar and the people finding comfort there.
McBryde’s rendition of the song, characterized by a gritty, inviting twang, resonated deeply, almost as if she embodied one of its characters. The lyrics were also impactful. vividly portraying a scene that transcended the specifics of Dahlonega, Georgia. It’s all about those tough nights when everything seems to be going wrong, but people make the best of it, lighting up and pushing through the hard times.
Ashley McBryde had firsthand experience with that cozy dive bar she sang and wrote about. She knew it so well because she had spent a lot of time in places just like it. Before she became well known for her music, McBryde, who grew up in a strict religious family in Arkansas, took a leap and moved to Nashville, dreaming of becoming a star. But it wasn’t easy. She had tough days, performing in small dive bars, participating in open mic nights and talent shows. During the day, she worked at Guitar Center to make ends meet, doing all this while independently releasing her own EP. McBryde’s journey to success was like something out of a movie. It was unreal.
Eric Church, a country singer known for his rebellious side, listened to her self-released CD and invited her to join him on stage at one of his concerts to sing one of her songs. A video of this performance became viral, catching the attention of record labels. This ended up with McBryde securing a deal with a label. When McBryde released “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega,” she was in her mid-thirties. Perhaps, nobody anticipated her rise to stardom. Yet, sometimes, true talent shines through, and people recognize it when they hear it.
In her third album, Ashley McBryde exceeds everyone’s expectations in a surprising way. While not officially named “Lindeville,” the album is a tribute to the late country songwriter Dennis Linde. McBryde and her team aim to recreate the essence of Linde’s storytelling by imagining the lives of fictional characters in a town of their own creation.
Lindeville isn’t the typical idyllic small town often portrayed in country songs. It’s depicted as a place where people face struggles, setbacks, and betrayals. The album begins with “Brenda Put Your Bra On,” a raw portrayal of drama unfolding in a trailer park neighborhood. A woman catches her husband cheating with the babysitter, attracting attention from other women in the area who gather to witness the unfolding chaos.
Lindeville is quite different from a lot of mainstream pop-country. It paints a vivid picture of a place with meth addicts, strip clubs, and colorful characters. You can feel the excitement of everyone involved in creating it. Yet, it’s important to recognize that the Nashville music system played a crucial role in bringing this album to life. It took investment to make Lindeville happen. The musicianship is top-notch, and the catchy melodies are expertly crafted. This kind of quality could only come from skilled and experienced professionals.
English