3 min read- Ashley McBryde was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2022.
- The singer performed at the storied venue on February 22.
- After the show, she had a special interaction with an aspiring singer that brought her to tears.
Ashley McBryde is no stranger to magical moments in her musical career. A mesmerizing vocalist with a knack for raw storytelling, Ashley has earned over a dozen CMA and ACM nominations, not to mention half a dozen Grammy nods, and even a win for her song with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” Of all the memorable experiences she’s had on and off the stage in her career, Ashley couldn’t help but share the moving moment that stopped her in her tracks this past weekend.
On Sunday, February 22, the 42-year-old singer took to social media to reflect on a special moment from her Grand Ole Opry show that night. “I just got home from the Opry... it was a great night; it was a magical dressing room situation: We had a couple of other songwriters and artists in the room, and the vibe was just perfect, which is pretty typical for The Opry… That all seems like a blur right now because of what happened after The Opry,” Ashley explained in a video.
The Grammy Award-winning singer went on to explain that she noticed a young girl in the audience singing along to every word of “Light On In The Kitchen” with her mom. “I mentioned to the audience that I couldn’t look down there because I’ll cry—you know me,” she shared.
After the show, as she was leaving, Ashley ran into a tour group and once again recognized the young girl at the front of the line. When stopping to shake her hand and introduce herself, Ashley learned that little Sawyer June is an aspiring singer—one who knows “Bible And A .44” really well. On a dime, Ashley grabbed her guitar and sat down on the floor to sing the song with the young girl.
“She looked right in my eyes the whole time she sang, and she didn’t miss a note; she didn’t miss a breath. And her agility, her vocals, just the quality of her voice was so good, and that’s not even the most magical part,” Ashley said in the video, tearing up. “I sang harmony with her and then the last chorus of ‘Bible And A .44,’ I asked everybody to sing—and you can’t plan moments like these, but I knew it was important to sit down with her—and told her that she’s a star and that I will see her on The Opry stage someday, because I believe that.”
In the video, fellow Opry tour group members are seen swiping at tears, clearly moved by Ashley’s interaction with Sawyer June. The same reaction is evident in Ashley’s comments section.
“Just sat down right there in the middle of the floor, stopped the whole tour, and sang with this precious little girl. You’re a good human being and made a core memory for this little girl,” one fan remarked. “You are her light and hope for the future,” someone else commented. “This is absolutely beautiful!!! core memory for both of you,” another fan exclaimed. “You are the most incredible steward of the Opry legacy and inspire a whole lot more than that little girl to keep singing. Love you, sister,” country artist Mae Estes chimed in.
Now that Ashley is aware of Sawyer June, she plans to follow along with the young girl’s budding music career on social media. Who knows, she may be the very one to induct her into the Opry down the line.
