Ashley McBryde Goes ‘Wild’

Ashley McBryde has stepped into her 'Wild' era, releasing her fifth studio album and once again reteaming with producer John Osborne of Brothers Osborne. The GRAMMY-winning singer recently joined Katie Neal to unpack her new project, and talk about her recent honorary degree from Arkansas State University. “I got to go and watch the full commencement ceremony, and I got to sit with all the head folks and then get up for the presentation and give a little speech,” Ashley details about this past weekend, receiving an honorary doctorate of music. “It was awesome and my father was there, who has always wanted me to be a doctor. So he got what he wanted, but he didn't get what he wanted, so we're both happy.” The new album, 'Wild,' started with a few songs that McBryde would play live, that she knew needed to be on the record. “We started there with that kind of obstinance. Is that the right word maybe for that? My way or not at all,” she shares. “And then realized that that attitude is the opposite of creative, but I'm thankful for it because it got us there.” “But why is my gut telling me these have to be on a record? It's because they were stories, that they weren't about some lady named Brenda who won't put her bra on, it was stuff that I am struggling with, stuff that that if I expose it and let it be seen, it might help somebody else.” For more on the new album, 'Wild,' Ashley’s full circle Nashville moment, and her new NA bar in partnership with Eric Church, check out the full conversation above.