Opry Member Ashley McBryde Earns Honorary Doctorate From Arkansas State
on May 12, 2025
Ashley McBryde’s History Growing Up In Arkansas
Country singer Ashley McBryde received one of the greatest honors of her life on May 10…an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Arkansas State University.
McBryde was born in Waldron, Arkansas, in 1983, but grew up in the community of Saddle. Her father was a farmer, doctor, and preacher.
McBryde was actively involved in the marching band in high school and carried that passion for music into her studies in college. She attended Arkansas State University, where she studied the French horn and planned on becoming a band director.
Around that same time, McBryde started performing at clubs in Memphis, Tennessee. She felt the music calling her to Nashville, but she hesitated to change her prior plans and pursue that dream.
That all changed one day in 2007. As McBryde recalled in an interview with The Tennessean, her band director stopped her during a lesson and told her, “I think you need to just drop out of school and go.”
McBryde took that advice and dropped out of college that same day.
RELATED: ASHLEY MCBRYDE CELEBRATES 1000 DAYS OF SOBRIETY
McBryde took a risk, and it paid off. Now, she’s a Grammy winner, a CMA winner, a Grand Ole Opry member, and an honorary doctor from Arkansas State University.
Ashley McBryde Celebrates As She Receives An Honorary Doctorate From Her Alma Mater
On May 10, McBrdye returned to her alma mater to receive an honorary Doctorate of Music during Arkansas State University’s spring commencement.
Chancellor Todd Shields spoke about McBryde, saying her “determination and contributions to American Music is a testament to the opportunities that higher education can open and inspire for generations of Arkansas State University alums.”
McBryde also spoke during the ceremony, saying:
“Earning a degree in music has always been something I’ve placed a lot of value in. It was something I felt I needed to accomplish. In my time here at A-State, I found my passion not only for performing, but for creating other musicians. The music education program is priceless. I’m so thankful for educators that pushed me to strive for excellence … While my path to music education wound up looking a little different than a traditional one, I never lost my passion for music education, and I work alongside music educators every chance I get. Thank you for shaping me into the advocate I became, the musician I am today and the entrepreneur I didn’t know I was going to have to be.”
McBryde later shared a series of photos from her celebratory day. One of the sweetest pictures in her slideshow shows her with her parents.
The “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” singer wrote:
“Honored doesn’t even begin to cover it. One day when my bones ache and my knees creak I’ll look back on my life and say “I am so glad this is how I spent it.“ Arkansas State, thank you for recognizing a life dedicated to the pursuit of the magic of music. Thank you to my family and friends who witnessed it. Mom and Pop I love you so. And Dr. McBryde, thank you for coming to watch your little girl become Dr. McBryde.”
Head below to see Ashley McBryde’s post about earning her honorary doctorate. Congratulations to her!
