Honestly, I’d do the exact same. Every artist has a story about how they got to where they are today, and many folks include working with or for more established artists in the industry. While most people have a mentor they can thank, Ashley McBryde has a very special woman whom she worked for and learned from long before she was writing records and selling out shows. In her early days in Nashville, Ashley McBryde worked for none other than Dolly Parton. While she didn’t work for her for very long, and this was a good 20 years ago, there were a few memorable moments that Ashley recalled during a recent interview with BBC Radio 2, including saving Dolly Parton’s house from a fire. McBryde previously shared during an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show that Bagel Bites were the culprit of the microwave catching on fire. Nonetheless, the microwave went up in flames. She says she grabbed it with a bear hug and ran it out the door, because Dolly’s house was going through a remodel at the time, and Ashley knew the smoke would only make that much more work for everyone. View this post on Instagram While I am sure a young McBryde was worried that she might no longer have a job after that incident, she sprang into action and made sure that the house and, most importantly, the Queen of country music were safe after that incident. Of course, McBryde made sure she was also safe from the fire, but it sounds like she was more worried about her boss and her belongings than her personal well-being. McBryde also shared that Dolly Parton gave her a special item during her time working for her that she kept hold of for decades after. And it might not be what you’d imagine. Dolly Parton gave Ashley McBryde a tub of ChapStick that she treasured for nearly 20 years. “She also gave me a tube of ChapStick that I had for, I don’t know, probably 20 years after that.” Naturally, like any country music fan, she cherished the item that Dolly gave her, revealing that the ChapStick became a good luck charm for her and she used it very sparingly in the years to come. “I would only use it on special occasions. I got to use my Dolly Parton ChapStick.” Can you blame her? I’d do the exact same thing. I wonder if Dolly Parton knows that a tube of ChapStick turned into such a sentimental item for her former employee. Who knows, maybe that ChapStick carried some voodoo powers that set up McBryde for the incredible career she has today. Regardless, this story is a prime example of never forgetting your humble beginnings. A job that she had when she first moved to Nashville is now a huge flex for the “Water in the River” singer. Check out the entire interview while you’re here: Ashley just released her phenomenal new album Wild, and you can check out some of the standouts below. “Bottle Tells Me So” “Hand Me Downs” Ashley McBryde Tour Dates June 11 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall June 12 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort and Spa June 19 – Rockton, IL – Settler’s Park June 25 – Belfast, UK – Custom House Square Belfast June 27 – London, UK – Hyde Park July 3 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede July 9 – Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing Company July 10 – Bar Harbor, ME – 1932 Criterion Theatre July 11 – Cavendish, PE – Cavendish Beach Music Festival July 17 – Colorado Springs, CO – Phil Long Music Hall July 18 – Gypsum, CO – Lundgren Amphitheater July 24 – Larchwood, IA – Grand Falls Casino Resort Event Center July 30 – West Fargo, ND – The Lights Amphitheater July 31 – Plymouth, MN – Hilde Performance CenterThe post Ashley McBryde Kept A ChapStick Dolly Parton Gave Her For 20 Years: “Only Use It On Special Occasions” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

It was one of the most high-profile tax cases in music history. Continue reading…

Chris Robinson speaks. Last weekend, Whiskey Myers and The Black Crowes played a show in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre during a stop on their co-headlining Southern Hospitality tour. However, once that rowdy Florida crowd broke out into a “USA, USA” chant, as patriotic people tend to do at large gatherings, the Black Crowes frontman was immediately triggered. Right before The Black Crowes started playing the fan-favorite “She Talks to Angels,” a visual came on a screen that showed the band’s Black Crowe character dressed as Uncle Sam, and the audience started to chant “U.S.A.” Uncle Sam Crowe sez⁣ GO VOTE!⁣ 1 week away⁣ Go to https://t.co/cn3FTkhtWY for info on how to vote in your state pic.twitter.com/rkBMqjFzSm — The Black Crowes (@theblackcrowes) October 27, 2020 But frontman Chris Robinson was not having it, and after the crowd kept going with it, he went off on the audience: “I don’t know what you have to be so proud of right now. Some of us have real faith. And, for those of you f****** booing us, some of us are not afraid. And we most assuredly are not f****** ignorant. So thank you.” EXCLUSIVE: The Black Crowes were booed for dissing a crowd chanting "USA." https://t.co/Jt8xBLYTG4 pic.twitter.com/CettxXyqWv — TMZ (@TMZ) June 1, 2026 Many in the Florida crowd did not appreciate that, and they started booing him and some even left the concert altogether: EXCLUSIVE: The fallout from The Black Crowes' onstage political dust-up on Sunday didn't end with boos … it kept rolling straight toward the exits. pic.twitter.com/PSFZy9iMi4 — TMZ (@TMZ) June 2, 2026 Chris Robinson’s Response This week, Chris Robinson addressed the backlash to UCR, essentially calling it overblown. He added that he would never disrespect the troops, but also appreciates his American right to be critical of the country: “I think the whole thing was, of course, blown out of context so people can get clicks and people can stir up the animosity and philosophies or how you feel about life. But be most assured, you know, whatever. It doesn’t matter. In a week, something else will come up that [will stir up] the hornets’ nest.” “Stirring up animosity and philosophies about how you feel about life” sounds an AWFUL lot like what you were doing from the stage there, Chris. The people booing you certainly weren’t doing so to get clicks. He continues: “No matter what I ever would say or do or feel about things, there’s no way I would disrespect our veterans. I’m a person that I wish we had moved along as a species not to have violence be the way that we resolve conflicts. But for the people who’ve put their lives on the line and made that sacrifice and dedication, I wouldn’t do that. I can see that for exactly what it is. Other than that, you know, I have to speak my mind. But I don’t have an agenda or anything, you know what I mean? I’m just trying to make a soulful connection with people and we’ll continue to endeavor to persevere, as they say in the, ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’.” Of course, the band hasn’t been shy about their political leanings over the years, and that’s their prerogative to do so as he said, but it’s a little different to tear into the crowd who bought tickets to see you over something as harmless as chanting “USA.” So Chris Robison hates President Trump like half the country does, big deal. But since when is chanting “USA, USA” an endorsement of the President and his policies? People chanted it at concerts when Biden was President, when Obama was President, when Bush was President. If anything it’s generally regarded as a way to show support to the troops. But their buffoonery doesn’t only affect them. It affects Whiskey Myers, their coheadliners, too. Whiskey Myers is a Texas-based band, they’re one of the best in the business. As far as true southern rock bands go, they’re as good as it gets. Sadly I saw a number of comments in their social media from fans asking them to address the actions of their co-headliner, or bail from the tour altogether… so not only is it a poor reflection on the Black Crowes, it needlessly creates headaches for Whiskey Myers… which they don’t deserve. I’m not saying “shut up and sing,” but maybe read the room, guys… Southern Hospitality Tour North American Dates May 31 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre^ June 2 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*~ June 4 – Augusta, GA – Bell Auditorium*~ June 6 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater^ June 7 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park^ June 9 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center^ June 10 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center^ June 12 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion^ June 13 – New York, NY – Forest Hills Stadium^ June 16 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion^ June 17 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheatre^ June 19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center^ June 20 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center^~ July 17 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center^ July 18 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theater^ July 21 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre^ July 22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater^ July 24 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre^ July 25 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater^ July 28 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater^ July 30 – Kansas City, MO – MORTON Amphitheater^ August 1 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheater^~ August 2 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre^~ August 4 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater*~ August 8 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion^ August 9 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion* August 12 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater^ August 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre^ August 15 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center^ August 17– Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Bowl- August 19 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre^ August 20 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre^ ^ With The Black Crowes, Whiskey Myers & Southall * With The Black Crowes & Southall only – Co-headlining show with The Black Crowes, Tedeschi Trucks & Whiskey MyersThe post “I Have To Speak My Mind”: Black Crowes Frontman, Chris Robinson, Won’t Apologize For Anti-USA Rant first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

A new report claims Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may have chosen one of New York City's most famous venues for their wedding — and it's not the kind of place most couples book for a ceremony. Continue reading…

The album launched the first of a long string of hits. Continue reading…