Ashley McBryde is opening up about what it was like for her as a new artist. The Arkansas native recalls advice she got early in her career, advice she — fortunately — didn’t listen to.
“’How do you feel about being blond?'” McBryde tells Rolling Stone she was asked. “And I was like, ‘Go sit by yourself.’ I’m not tall like the other options in country music, or at the time. I’m not blond; I’m covered in tattoos — not as many then as there are now. And that’s how I met that advice, when they were like, ‘Stop getting tattoos.’ And I was like, ‘You stop getting tattoos.'”
McBryde also remembers being asked to wear fringe, to which she replied, “On what?” She also says she was asked to tuck her pants inside her boots, which she thought was absurd.
“I was like, ‘Is it raining? Is there a reason?'” she adds. “I tried it. I will do it. I don’t have to tell you it looks ridiculous. You can see that it looks ridiculous.”
Fortunately for McBryde, and country music fans everywhere, McBryde stayed true to herself, even from an early age.
“I have a gift for, if something makes me that uncomfortable, it’s now your problem,” McBryde says. You will be as uncomfortable as I am. And that’s how I met that advice.”
You’re giving me terrible advice,” she adds. “Why should you not feel the effects of this? You wear fringe.”
View this post on Instagram
Ashley McBryde Gives Away Free Concert Tickets
McBryde is currently headlining her Into the Wild Tour, where she is giving away free tickets to each show. The Grand Ole Opry member just launched her Light On Ticket Fund, giving fans the opportunity to see her live, who may not otherwise be able to afford a ticket.
“I’ve been thinking about how much live music has meant to me throughout my life, and how some of my favorite memories happened at concerts and festivals,” McBryde shares on social media. “And how special it can be to spend a night singing along with people who love the same songs that you do. I also know life is expensive right now. Between groceries, gas, rent, and everything else, sometimes a concert ticket just doesn’t fit in the budget. So today we’re launching the Light On Ticket Fund. At every stop on the Into the Wild Tour, we’re setting aside seats for fans who otherwise just wouldn’t be able to attend. If you know someone who would love to be there but probably can’t be, we’d love to hear their story. And if that person’s you, that’s okay, too.
“You can tell me your story as well,” she continues. “My team and I will read the submissions, and we’ll invite a handful of people to each show as my guests. Because music has a way of bringing people together, and I want to make room for a few more folks to have that experience. If this sounds like something that could mean something to you, or to someone you love, head to the website. Tell us your story. I can’t wait to see you.”
Find the Light On Ticket Fund here.
Photo Credit: CMA / Josh Brasted