Last year, Grammy-winning country artist Ashley McBryde officially planted her flag on Nashville’s Broadway by opening Redemption Bar, a new kind of venue tucked high above the chaos of Lower Broadway. Sitting on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s bar, Chief’s, Redemption was designed as a welcoming space for visitors who prefer a Broadway experience without alcohol.
Recently, though, a few lucky guests got far more than they bargained for.
During a behind-the-scenes tour at Chief’s, McBryde surprised a group of fans with an impromptu performance—casually sitting in the corner, guitar in hand, and singing her 2019 song One Night Standards as if it were just another quiet morning.
Chief’s has been offering exclusive access to members of Church’s Choir, the fan club for the “Springsteen” singer, since opening in April 2024. On Friday morning (January 24), as fans explored the six-story venue, they unexpectedly stumbled upon McBryde already playing—well before the bar had officially opened.
One social media user summed up the surreal moment perfectly, noting that the bartenders acted like it was completely normal to see McBryde there, singing and picking away. Another fan simply wrote, “I would die!!”
@whiskeyriff @Ashley McBryde #whiskeyriff #chiefsbarnashville ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
If you missed that early-morning surprise, there’s good news. The 42-year-old singer has officially extended her Redemption Residency at Chief’s. She kicked things off with the first of two “Just Me and My Shadow” solo acoustic shows on Thursday (January 22) and returned Friday night (January 24) for the second. McBryde also plans to make appearances for themed nights throughout February, March, and April.
New Music Is Here
More than two years after releasing The Devil I Know, McBryde unveiled a brand-new song on January 23 titled What If We Don’t. She co-wrote the track with Terri Jo Box and Randall Clay, describing it as a big, emotional reflection on choices and consequences.
McBryde shared that the song was born during a late-night conversation around a fire pit, where the trio reflected on moments in life where a different decision could have changed everything. At its core, she says, the song is about taking—or not taking—leaps of faith, and learning to live with the outcome either way.
“What If We Don’t” serves as the first taste of McBryde’s upcoming fifth studio album. And if her recent reaction to hearing early mixes is any indication, listeners should brace themselves.
In a video shared late last year, the Grand Ole Opry member admitted that hearing the finished mixes felt like discovering the album all over again. After being present for every lyric, note, and breath during the recording process, she said the final versions hit her in a completely unexpected way—so much so that it felt like she was hearing a new artist altogether.
If Redemption Bar was meant to offer something different on Broadway, McBryde seems to be doing the same with her music—inviting fans into quieter, more honest moments that leave a lasting impression.