Meet ‘Blackout Betty’: Ashley McBryde’s Party Persona
Ashley McBryde released her fourth studio album, The Devil I Know, on September 8, 2023, on Warner Music Nashville, her label since her first album, Girl Going Nowhere, released in 2018.
The Devil I Know features eleven tracks, all of which McBryde co-wrote with long-time collaborators. The tenth song in her recent album’s track listing, “Blackout Betty,” was inspired by McBryde’s nickname. Ashley’s never been shy about her journey to sobriety and how she needed “Blackout Betty” to disassociate herself with her actions when she was drunk.
Meet “Blackout Betty”
Co-written with Aaron Raitiere and Nicolette Hayford, McBryde was hungover the day they wrote the song. That surely influenced the song. Known in the country music scene as a “whiskey-drinking bada–,” McBryde acknowledged the fun she used to have because of Betty. According to her, Betty could “play the show, carry the party, mix the drinks, set the vibe and sneak off to vomit without anyone ever noticing.”
In 2022, McBryde made the decision to get her act clean, a not small feat in the country music industry where alcohol is a staple in every show and event. She quit drinking privately and made the decision to announce her sobriety for at least a year, when she’s sure she wouldn’t “screw up” and fell off the wagon.
McBryde admitted “Betty” is still around and “waiting to jump at another chance to steer the ship.” But making the conscious choice to stop drinking is a small price to pay to have a long and fulfilling career. Prioritizing her well-being paid off. Just a few months after releasing The Devil I Know, she’s already back with her latest release, Meet The Family.
Meet The Family
McBryde’s six-track EP titled Meet the Family is a collection of her character-driven songs representing versions of herself with different monikers. Aside from “Blackout Betty,” featured prominently in her song with the same title, other versions of herself she introduced to fans include “Joan of Arkansas,” “The Golden Gal,” and “The Girl in Red.”
The Golden Gal is the poised, articulate and unshakeable Ashley who’s ready for her red carpet close-up. Joan of Arkansas is the angsty version who’s frustrated and angry all the time while the Girl in Red is Ashley, the mediator. She makes sure Joan of Arkansas’ tirades are company-appropriate, Betty stays in the background and Golden Gal always remembers who she is.
Here’s a look at the track list for ‘Meet the Family’:
1. Martha Divine
2. Livin’ Next to Leroy
3. Velvet Red
4. Shut Up Sheila
5. Andy (I Can’t Live Without You)
6. The Devil I Know
And if you haven’t already, make sure to listen to Ashley McBryde’s latest EP, Meet the Family here and The Devil I Know here.
