Ashley McBryde Delivers Powerful Message Of Authenticity With New Single, ‘The Devil I Know’

Ashley McBryde sending empowerment and self-reflection to country radio with her new single, “The Devil I Know.” 

The Arkansas native made the announcement during her recent appearance at Nashville’s Country Radio Seminar, where she performed the title track to her latest album which dropped on September 8, 2023.

The Story Behind The Song

The song, penned by McBryde with Bobby Pinson and Jeremy Stover on August 12, 2020, fits effortlessly into her repertoire as the subject line boasts her confidence to say and do what she wants in her life and career, as opposed to succumbing to the many opinions constantly being thrown at her. She embraces a new level of authenticity throughout the hearty drumbeats, rhythmic hand clapping and epic guitar licks that encourage the listener to carry the same mindset throughout their days. 

“Momma says, get my ass to church/ Daddy says, get my ass to work/ Doctor says I gotta give up on these smokes/ Everybody’s got something to say/ About how I gotta change my ways/ But I got something to say of my own/ Hell, there’s hell everywhere I go/ I’m just sticking with the devil I know,” McBryde sings on the chorus. 

Never Succombing To The Pressures Of Society

In a recent interview with Trailblazers Radio on Apple Music Country, the country star got candid about how the song applies to her journey of learning how to navigate her own life in a way that keeps her feeling happy and authentic to her true self. 

“Whether you’re an artist, no matter what your profession is, no matter what your life is like, you’ve got all of these voices pulling at you in every direction….’You’re too fat, you’re too thin, you have too many tattoos, you should cover your tattoos. Never cover your tattoos. Why are you covering your tattoos? Your hair is too curly. Your hair is too straight. You should only drink celery juice first thing in the morning. You should take magnesium on an empty stomach.’ And like, all of this [expletive] is just coming in.”

She continued, “So all of that comes at you at once and then when you’re like, ‘oh my God, I seem to be doing something wrong no matter who I’m talking to.’ And that’s when you go, ‘I’m just gonna do what I do. And so I think the production in that song lends itself well to all those voices coming at you and then shrinking that down and making it, guess what? I’m gonna do what I want.” 

Performing “The Devil I Know” On Late Night TV

The GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter showcased “The Devil I Know” during her performance on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December. As she delivered the opening verse, the stage was lit with smokey, white lights, matching the elegance of the silver cape she donned. However, as soon as the chorus hit, the lights shifted to a deep red and McBryde shed her cape to reveal a fiery red jumpsuit. Her performance prompted a round of cheers and roaring applause from the audience. 

This song follows McBryde’s latest chart-climbing single, “Light On In The Kitchen,” which also appears among the 11 tracks on her critically acclaimed new album.

Ashley McBryde is currently in the midst of her headlining The Devil I Know Tour, which runs through June of 2024. She has a packed weekend coming up as she’s scheduled to bring her epic show to Phoenix, AZ on March 15, Las Vegas, NV on March 16 and El Cajon, CA on March 17. 

Joining her for select dates are rising stars Will Jones, Kasey Tyndall, Meg McRee, JD Clayton, Harper O’Neill and Bella White.