Ashley McBryde has shared a memorable anecdote from her early career in Nashville, highlighting her time working for the iconic country music star Dolly Parton. During an appearance on BBC Radio 2, McBryde recounted a rather dramatic incident involving a malfunctioning microwave that nearly jeopardised Parton’s home.
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The singer recalled the moment she was heating up Bagel Bites when the microwave caught fire. With quick thinking, McBryde unplugged the appliance, took it in her arms, and rushed it out of the house to prevent any damage. “There was a microwave, and it was on fire… I unplugged it from the wall, grabbed it with a bear hug and ran it out the door,” she stated, emphasising the effort she made to save the area where they were staying during a home renovation.
McBryde explained that the home was in the midst of being remodelled and that smoke was billowing out of the microwave. She worried that the smoke could ruin the freshly applied wallpaper. After successfully extinguishing the crisis, Parton offered the burnt microwave as a token of gratitude, along with some advice on how to clean it. This unusual exchange has since become a cherished memory for McBryde.
In addition to the microwave gift, McBryde received a tube of ChapStick from Parton, which she treasured for two decades. “I would only use it on special occasions,” said the 42-year-old singer, who fondly reminisced about the significance of owning a little piece of Dolly’s generosity.
This nostalgic reflection came alongside McBryde’s promotional tour for her fifth studio album, titled “Wild.” The new album has generated considerable excitement, as it encapsulates her journey of embracing fear and challenges in pursuit of her dreams. When announcing the album, McBryde described it as a creative endeavour that felt akin to building a tree fort—constructed from both familiar materials and new discoveries.
“Sometimes going with your gut is the scariest thing you can do… and the most necessary,” she wrote on Instagram. “Wild is the name. That’s the spirit of the record. The fear, the chaos, the hard truths, and the little kid in me who always kept dreaming big.”
As McBryde continues to foster her career, Dolly Parton, now 80, has been making headlines of her own. Earlier this month, she announced the cancellation of her residency in Las Vegas, citing ongoing health concerns. In a heartfelt Instagram Reel, she updated fans on her situation, sharing that while she is responding well to medication and treatment, it may take time before she is ready to return to the stage.
Parton stated, “First, it’s concerning my health – and I have some good news and a little bad news… I’m improving every day. But, the bad news is that it’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say.”
Both artists have significantly impacted the country music scene, with McBryde’s latest work poised to add another chapter to her evolving career. Their relationship, forged through McBryde’s early endeavours, highlights the warmth and camaraderie often found within the industry, as well as the rich experiences that can arise from unexpected moments—even those involving kitchen mishaps.
As fans of Ashley McBryde eagerly await her new album, the singer continues to draw inspiration from her time with Dolly Parton. Their shared stories reflect the heart of country music: resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to celebrating life’s unpredictability.