Ashley McBryde paid tribute to her good friend Luke Combs at the recent ACM Honors. McBryde performed a six-song medley, including “Beer Never Broke My Heart” in honor of Combs, who received the ACM International Award.

Other songs McBryde performed were “Honky Tonk Highway,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” and “Whoever You Turn Out to Be.”

 

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Luke Combs Speaks Out About Receiving The ACM International Award

Combs received the ACM International Award due to his global appeal, including his massive 2023 World Tour. For Combs, it’s a way for him to honor country music fans around the world.

“I think the interesting thing about overseas is that the people, they know songs that maybe they don’t know as well here,” Combs tells Billboard. ‘Cause there’s not promoted singles like there are here. So they kind of just listen to the record and like what they like, which is pretty cool.”

The North Carolina native worked hard to make sure he had a big enough fanbase to be able to travel internationally. His hard work, fortunately, paid off.

“That was kind of always the goal, to get over there,” Combs says. “We felt like there was an audience for it, that was maybe a little bit underserved. To our surprise, it was. It’s been a lot of fun, but a lot of work.”

Ashley McBryde Returns To Performing

McBryde’s vocal problems seem to be a thing of the past. She recently was forced to cancel some shows, after the doctor told her she needed complete vocal rest.

“My voice has been struggling over the past few weeks, and as much as it pains me, I won’t be able to play my shows this week,” McBryde recently shared. “My doctors have made it crystal clear: my voice needs complete rest to heal. There’s nothing I want more than to be back giving you 100%. Thank you for understanding…I’ll see you soon.”

Ashley McBryde’s New Nashville Bar

McBryde is working on more than just her performances. She will open her new Redemption Bar inside Eric Church‘s Chief’s on August 28. The new bar will offer regular drinks, along with alcohol-free ones. For McBryde, who has been sober since 2022, it was important for her to have a place for those who don’t consume alcohol to still enjoy a night out.

“When the opportunity to make my mark on Broadway came, I knew I wanted to create a space that champions what’s made a difference in my life; a space that lifts up the brushed aside, and makes sure everyone feels welcome,” McBryde says.

“As someone who is three years sober, the typical response to ‘Do you have anything non-alcoholic?’ is either ‘Why did you come to a bar if you aren’t gonna drink?’ or ‘You can have soda water and a lime, I guess,’” she continues. “Some of my favorite places to socialize became wildly unaccommodating when the only thing that changed was what was in my cup.”

Photo Credit: Getty Image for ACM / John Shearer