Ashley McBryde, a celebrated voice in contemporary country music, is kicking off the new year with a song that’s more than just a melody about cowboys and the Wild West. Her latest release, “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs,” delves into the heart of the cowboy spirit, exploring themes of work ethic, resilience, and the changing landscape of American values. While the song paints vivid images of pastures and prairies, its core message resonates deeply with the realities of today’s world.
In a recent interview with Cowboys & Indians, McBryde shared the inspiration behind the track, explaining it’s a metaphor for the perceived decline of traditional values. “Instead of us saying, ‘Work ethic’s out the window, stick-to-it code’s pretty much dead, and idealism is gone,’ it was easier to say that by saying there is no wild out west. That’s all gone,” she reflects. This poignant observation sparked a broader conversation about her upbringing in Arkansas, where she absorbed the cowboy work ethic that has shaped her journey to becoming a prominent singer-songwriter in country music.
Ashley McBryde poses against a rustic backdrop, promoting her new single “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs,” embodying the spirit of country music and cowboy culture.
Crafting a Cowboy Song: Collaboration and Inspiration
McBryde wrote “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs” with her trusted collaborators, Chris Harris and Trick Savage. She recounts the song’s genesis in a Phoenix venue dressing room. “Chris came up and said, ‘Whatever we write today, I just know there ain’t enough cowboy songs.'” This simple statement ignited a creative spark. With Harris on mandolin and McBryde and Savage on guitars, the songwriting session took off, punctuated by cigarette breaks that McBryde finds conducive to creativity. She jokes, “Sometimes when you take a drag of a cigarette, you come up with ‘ride off into the sunset.’ That change of scenery lets the next thing pop into your head.”
The song became a reflection on their shared experiences within the country music genre and the broader American experience. McBryde explains, “This one was all about where we live and the genre we love, and realizing that the horse I rode in on got put out to pasture.” She traces her journey from Arkansas to Memphis, then playing in bars across various states before landing in Nashville. This journey embodies the classic cowboy ethos of hard work and perseverance, a principle she observes may be fading in contemporary society. “You just keep working really hard, because if you work hard enough, you’ll get better at what you do and you’ll have the things that you work hard for. But that’s just not the way it is anymore.”
The Enduring Appeal of Cowboy Songs: McBryde’s Top Picks
Despite the changing times, the allure of cowboy songs remains strong. When asked about essential cowboy songs, McBryde lists a few that are always on her mind: “Rodeo” by Garth Brooks, “This Cowboy’s Hat” by Chris LeDoux, “I’ll Think of Something” by Mark Chestnutt, and “Single Mountain Fiddle” by Jared Hart. These selections highlight the diverse range within the cowboy song genre, from stadium anthems to more introspective and traditional tunes. These songs, like McBryde’s new release, capture different facets of the cowboy experience and its emotional resonance.
A portrait of Ashley McBryde, showcasing her authentic country style and connection to the themes of cowboy songs and rural life.
Cowboy Codes and Arkansas Roots: Shaping Ashley McBryde
Growing up in rural Arkansas, McBryde was deeply influenced by cowboy codes and a strong sense of community. “Well, our nearest neighbor was like eight miles away,” she recalls, emphasizing the self-reliance and interdependence of rural life. “And we traded on skills that we each had.” This reciprocal relationship extended beyond neighbors, shaping her understanding of responsibility and mutual support. She shares an anecdote about her father, a conservationist and game warden, who instilled in her a profound respect for the land. “He’d drink his coffee on the back porch, and I’d watch him just staring out at the pasture where the horses were.” His words, “You know, I can’t keep every single place from being overdeveloped, but I can keep this one from it,” taught her the importance of conservation and focusing on what one can control.
McBryde reflects on the core cowboy values that resonated in her upbringing: “Cowboys are the ones doing what needs to be done before it is an emergency. If you would simply be where you are, do what you say you’re gonna do and mean what you say when you say it, it would simplify a lot of things.” This straightforward philosophy of honesty, responsibility, and preparedness is central to the cowboy ethos and deeply ingrained in McBryde’s character and music.
From Rural Roots to Music City: Embracing the Cowboy Spirit
While some of her siblings viewed their remote upbringing as isolating, McBryde saw it as a landscape of opportunity and learning. “Some of my siblings looked at that as a prison. They thought, ‘There’s nothing to do out here.’ And I was going, ‘You could do anything out here.’” She recounts a childhood ambition to dig a hole inspired by the movie Red Dawn, highlighting her resourcefulness and determination even at a young age. “I learned so many things. Like that it takes a few days to dig a hole when you’re a 13-year-old girl with just a shovel with a pickaxe.”
This formative period profoundly shaped her identity and artistic expression. “We are the way we sing. This isn’t a costume,” McBryde asserts, emphasizing the authenticity of her country music. Her experiences delivering animals and connecting with rural life are woven into the fabric of her music, even if not always explicitly stated. “I was delivering animals of all varieties from a very young age, and I didn’t always get to paint that in our music, but I also didn’t not do that. I just couldn’t always put a saddle on those themes.”
Ashley McBryde performs live, showcasing her passion for country music and the storytelling tradition of cowboy songs.
Fiddle and the Future: Touring with Cody Johnson
“Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs” is distinguished by its use of fiddle, bookending the track with a sound McBryde considers a “lost art.” She emphasizes the importance of her band, who are both her recording and touring ensemble. “One of the really great perks to my band is that we’re the band that’s on the record and the road.” The decision to feature the fiddle prominently was organic and band-driven. “I looked at our fiddle player and said, ‘I think fiddle is the first voice we need hear. Nothing’s gonna say that this song is a great one better than a fiddle can.'”
Looking ahead, McBryde is enthusiastic about touring with Cody Johnson, recognizing a synergy between their fan bases. “Tours are kind of a gamble. But when someone shakes your hand, looks right at you and knows your name, it’s lovely.” She appreciates the genuine connection with fans and anticipates a warm reception from Johnson’s audience. “I’m really excited about playing for Cody’s fans, because they’re not only consumers of what’s hot, they’re also fans of what’s good.” She also celebrated Johnson’s recent Country Music Association album of the year win for Leather, seeing it as a hopeful sign for authentic country music. “That a win like that’ll put hope back in you.”
The Garth Brooks Connection: A Songwriting Dream Come True
McBryde’s journey has been punctuated by remarkable moments, including the story of Garth Brooks covering her breakout hit, “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” This anthem of perseverance resonated deeply with audiences and even reached the ears of Garth Brooks himself. After receiving a text from an unknown number identified as “Maybe: Garth,” McBryde was surprised and honored to speak with the country music legend. Brooks expressed his admiration for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” and later, to McBryde’s astonishment, began performing it in concert and even recorded his own version, “Guy Goin’ Nowhere.” “There just isn’t a bigger compliment for a songwriter,” McBryde reflects, still cherishing the contact in her phone as “Maybe: Garth.”
“Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs,” released on December 6, 2024, is more than just a new track; it’s a statement about the enduring spirit of cowboy values and their relevance in contemporary country music and beyond. Fans can pre-save the song here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy Katie Kauss
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