Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride are two of the most successful and acclaimed female country singers in the music industry. Both have released multiple albums, won prestigious awards, and earned the respect and admiration of fans and critics alike. But are they related to each other? Do they share a family connection that explains their similar surnames and musical styles? The answer might surprise you.
The Short Answer: No, They Are Not Related
Despite the fact that their surnames are so similar, Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride are not related to each other. They do not have any blood or marital ties that link them as family members. The slight difference in the spelling of their last names (McBryde vs. McBride) is one clue that they are not kin. Another clue is that they were born in different states and have different backgrounds and influences.
Ashley McBryde was born on July 29, 1983, in Waldron, Arkansas. She grew up listening to various types of music, from The Carpenters and Kris Kristofferson to bluegrass and gospel. She started playing guitar at a young age and wrote her first song at 12. She attended Arkansas State University, where she studied French horn and performed in local clubs. She moved to Nashville in 2007 to pursue a career in country music.
Martina McBride was born on July 29, 1966, in Sharon, Kansas. She grew up on a dairy farm, where her father played in a local band called The Schiffters. She also sang with her father’s band and learned to play piano and guitar. She married John McBride, a sound engineer, in 1988 and moved to Nashville with him. She signed with RCA Records in 1991 and released her debut album, The Time Has Come, the following year.
The Long Answer: They Have Similar Careers and Mutual Respect
Although Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride are not related by blood or marriage, they do have some similarities in their careers and musical styles. Both are known for their powerful vocals, catchy songs, and crossover appeal. Both have also faced challenges and obstacles in their journeys to stardom and have overcome them with perseverance and passion.
Ashley McBryde released two independent albums, Ashley McBryde (2006) and Elsebound (2011), before gaining attention with her EP Jalopies & Expensive Guitars (2016). Her breakthrough came when Eric Church invited her to perform with him on stage and praised her song “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega”. She signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2017 and released her major-label debut album, Girl Going Nowhere, in 2018. The album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. Her second album, Never Will, was released in 2020 and received critical acclaim.
Martina McBride rose to fame in the mid-1990s with her second album, The Way That I Am (1993), which spawned hits like “My Baby Loves Me” and “Independence Day”. She became one of the most popular female country artists of the decade, along with Shania Twain and Faith Hill. She developed a pop-oriented sound that appealed to a wider audience, while also tackling social issues like domestic violence and child abuse in some of her songs. She has sold over 14 million albums in the US and has won four CMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and three ACM Awards for Top Female Vocalist. She has also been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards.
Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride have expressed their admiration and respect for each other on several occasions. Ashley has cited Martina as one of her influences and inspirations, while Martina has praised Ashley’s talent and authenticity. They have also performed together on stage, most notably at the 2019 CMT Artists of the Year event, where they sang a duet of “Independence Day”.
The Conclusion: They Are Not Related But They Are Friends
Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride are not related to each other by blood or marriage, but they do share a lot of common ground as country singers and songwriters. They have similar surnames, birthdays, vocal ranges, musical styles, career paths, and achievements. They also have a mutual admiration and friendship that transcends any family ties. They are two of the most successful and acclaimed female country artists of their generation, who have made their mark on the music industry with their talent, passion, and personality.