For several months, fans of good songs who are in the know have been anticipating Girl Going Nowhere, the major-label debut of Ashley McBryde (following a pair of self-released albums), and it finally hit the racks on March 30. The Arkansas-born singer-songwriter-bandleader has enjoyed support from top-tier country talent Eric Church and rising star Luke Combs among others, and the endorsement is more than warranted by the quality of McBryde's songs.Â
One of the songs that's been doing the talking is "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega," released as a single It's a celebration of making it out of life's rough patches in one piece, in which she sings: "We've all got a number we don't wanna drunk-dial / A good friend we haven't seen in a while / A slow dance left in these old boots / A chance to put down new roots."  Above, see McBryde and her top-shelf band (guitarists Chris Harris and Andrew Sovine, bassist Chris Sancho and drummer Quinn Hill) take the track for a spin on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night.
They create an understated and interesting arrangement with several layers, but like the rest of the songs on the album, the strength of the narrative is what counts. In that regard, it's just the tip of the iceberg — "Southern Babylon," "Livin' Next to Leroy" and the title track, are, to my ear, even finer examples of McBryde's ability to make the personal universal.Â
Give it a listen above, and grab a copy of the album from your favorite record store or McBryde's online shop. McBryde & Co. have a busy spring ahead, and your next chance to catch them here in person is on June 7, opening day of CMA Fest.
