Ashley McBryde Reveals The Heartfelt Rule She Has When It Comes To Her Friend, Lainey Wilson

If Wilson calls, McBryde will always answer.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

March 30, 2023

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2:56 pm

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Ashley McBryde; Photo by CMA, Lainey Wilson; Photo by Getty Images for ACM

In honor of Women’s history month, Ashley McBryde opened up about the strong female figures in her life, like Lainey Wilson. These female country stars have made a huge impact on the country music world and much of that is credited to their efforts to stay true to their most authentic selves. 

When discussing her friendship with Wilson, McBryde revealed how they’ve managed to maintain such a strong bond over the years.

“I think it’s showing up for each other, which I feel like we say that a lot. And thanks to social media, we may have ruined the phrase show up for one another. But just as we’re chit-chatting right now, my phone lights up and it’s Lainey Wilson. And I have a rule with Lainey, when you make my phone light up, I will answer it, and things like that,” she revealed on Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen. 

Ashley McBryde; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Ashley McBryde; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

McBryde stressed the importance of keeping communication and true sincerity at the center of any friendship, as she went on to share her wisdom with listeners. 

“When you think things like that and you feel things like that, making sure that you follow up on such things,” McBryde continued. “And not necessarily giving advice because I’ve been alive for 39 years and I can tell you, but just showing up and being an available safe zone for your friends, whether those are female or male friends, for them to be able to tell you something hard, to talk about or whatever.”

“Light On In The Kitchen”

The “Brenda Put You Bra On” singer’s efforts to honor the women in her life extends into her latest single, “Light On In The Kitchen.” This powerful song impacted airwaves on March 27 and became the most-added at country radio this week. 

Ashley McBryde - Light On In The Kitchen
Ashley McBryde – Light On In The Kitchen

McBryde and her co-writers, Connie Harrington and Jessi Alexander, joined forces to honor the strong woman who have proved that they will always be around to provide a sense of comfort, or advice when needed. These heartfelt lyrics illustrate some of the wisdom that they’ve compiled over the years and continue to carry with them through each stage of life. 

“Honey, trust yourself / You better love yourself / ‘Cause ’til you do, you ain’t no good for anybody else / And honey, boys are dumb / But you’re gonna find your one / Love him hard, bless your heart / You’ll need someone to listen / That’s why I leave a light on in the kitchen,” McBryde sings on the chorus.  

YouTube video

“Light On In The Kitchen” also plays into the self-reflection that the Arkansas native has been embracing in recent years. While she often speaks on those who have had such a major impact on her life, the singer/songwriter made sure to evaluate herself as a person as well. 

“I feel like I’ve been looking at the last couple years at, what kind of woman do you want to be, are you and have you been? And I’ve just in the last probably year looked at it and gone, yeah, some of it I had to do on purpose, but I am becoming the woman that I want to be,” she shared with the outlet. “’Light On In the Kitchen,’ you’ve become the version of you that you like the most because of the people that had a hand in raising you and the ones that didn’t even necessarily mean to have a hand in raising you.”

2023 CMT Music Awards

Wilson and McBryde will be reunited during the 2023 CMT Music Awards, which is set to air Sunday, April 2. Wilson is leading the nominations with four mentions in the categories of Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year.

McBryde was also in the running for Video of the Year with Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark & Pillbox Patti for her song, “Bonfire at Tina’s”

The nominees in this category have now been narrowed down to Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, HARDY & Lainey Wilson, Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, and Morgan Wallen. 

Hosted by 2023 nominees Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, the show airs LIVE from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center on Sunday, April 2, 2023 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS. The show will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.* 

2023 Tour

Following this star-studded night, Ashley McBryde will headline a slew of shows in the spring. Additionally, she will join Eric Church for three dates on his The Outsiders Revival Tour. Later, she will join Jelly Roll for seven shows on his Backroad Baptism Tour

Her next performance is slated for April 4 in Green Cover Springs, FL at the Clay County Fairgrounds. 

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Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.