Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Ashley McBryde Admits to Dealing with ‘Bad Anxiety’ Since Her Brother’s Death

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Ashley McBryde admits to feeling vulnerable, feeling bad bouts of anxiety ever since her brother Clay’s passing. But in an interview with People, she shares how she copes with her grief.

Ashley McBryde, Anxiety, Ashley, McBryde
via Jason Kempin/GettyImages

Ashley McBryde is still Grieving

McBryde is known for her tough cool exterior, and she is not one to break down when life throws a curveball at her.

But the conversation shifts when she lost one of her closest family members. Clay is McBryde’s 53-year-old brother who was an Army veteran and police officer from Russellville, Ark. He passed in June of 2018, and the “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” singer tells People in a recent interview in Chicago that she’s developed “really bad” anxiety since then.

“I developed anxiety really, really, really bad right after Clay died. “I mean, they were bad panic attacks. They are under control now, but I didn’t understand what was going on.”

Ashley McBryde, Anxiety, Ashley, McBryde
via Rolling Stone

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, panic attacks are a very common thing for over 40 million men and women who battle some sort of anxiety. And for McBryde, the timing was especially off and she had difficulty to deal with it as it coincided with her entry into the country music spotlight.

Ashley McBryde, Anxiety, Ashley, McBryde
via Katie Kessel/People

“I had to get through four shows before I was able to find out what was going on with Clay. And at night [the anxiety] would come out in really weird ways. We were in Europe after he died and I got in such a weird place about what we were doing. The schedule was so hectic and I was like, ‘Man, is this what all of this is?’”

 McBryde proves to be a strong woman as she also shared how she got through the grieving and anxiety.

“You keep your feet moving or you will completely fall apart. As women, we don’t allow ourselves the falling apart time nearly enough. Luckily my body and my psyche has decided to choose those moments for me now.”

She continues, narrating that she also thought of her fans as a way to get through the grief.

“I said to myself, ‘It’s not about you, so get over yourself,’” she recalls. “If someone is having a s—ty day and they need to be free for an hour, where their bills aren’t late and their husband isn’t mad at them and the dog isn’t sick … as long as I am there on stage, everything is OK for them. Nobody cares if I’m hung-over or if I’m sad or if I’m tired or if I got s—ty news this morning. They care how they feel. And in the end, that’s all I care about.”

Latest Stories

Beyoncé smiles despite controversy over her AMA country nominations that overlooked Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert.

The 2025 AMAs Nominated Beyoncé for Country and Snubbed Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert

The American Music Awards just did what too many award shows continue to do: propped up a pop superstar in the country categories while ignoring the very artists keeping the ...

The Highwaymen—Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson—pose together, smiling and relaxed, showcasing their legendary camaraderie in country music.

Why The Highwaymen Refused Alcohol on Tour and What They Drank Instead

The Highwaymen were four of country music’s roughest legends, each with enough scars to write ten albums. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson made up the outlaw ...

Maren Morris and Taylor Swift pose together in glamorous outfits, symbolizing their connection as female artists navigating major shifts in and out of country music.

Maren Morris Turned to Taylor Swift and The Chicks for Advice on Leaving Country Music

If you’re gonna walk away from country music, you better know what you’re walking into. Maren Morris didn’t just pack up and go. Before she made the jump to pop ...

Phil Robertson and Miss Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty hold hands and sit side-by-side in a care facility, reunited after months apart due to health concerns.

Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Phil and Miss Kay Robertson Are Back Together After Months Apart

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson has officially reunited with his wife, Miss Kay, after months of being separated due to ongoing health issues—and the family says it’s been a major boost ...

Shania Twain, Keith Urban, and LeAnn Rimes are among the bold country artists who embraced vulnerability and body confidence in the spotlight.

7 Country Stars Who Stripped Down Without Regret

In a genre that still hides behind hymns and denim, these seven artists stripped down—and what they revealed wasn’t just skin. It was ownership, defiance, grief, and freedom—and country music ...

Carrie Underwood defends her decision during a heartfelt moment on American Idol, advocating for the show's first Easter faith special.

Carrie Underwood Fought for American Idol’s Easter Episode When Others Said It Was “Inappropriate”

For the first time in its 23-season history, American Idol aired a fully faith-based Easter special. It was bold and heartfelt—and according to a report from The Sun, it almost ...

Pope Francis smiles and waves in his traditional white robes during one of his final public appearances before his passing at age 88.

Pope Francis, the First Pope from the Americas, Dies at 88 After Easter Weekend

Just one day after delivering his final Easter address and meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and a defining spiritual voice ...

Jelly Roll cracks up alongside Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hudson while sharing a hilariously embarrassing onstage story on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Jelly Roll Overshared on National TV Telling Jennifer Hudson He Once Pooped His Pants While Performing on Stage

There’s oversharing, and then there’s Jelly Roll on The Jennifer Hudson Show, telling a national audience he once trusted a fart onstage and paid the price. It happened on April ...

Luke Bryan delivers an emotional Easter performance of “Jesus' Bout My Kids” on American Idol, capturing the raw heart of a father’s prayer.

Luke Bryan Sang “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” on Easter and Brought Real Emotion to American Idol

Luke Bryan has spent the last seven seasons of American Idol being the jokester, the crowd-pleaser, the guy who hands out compliments with a grin and a wink. But on ...

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake perform “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter special, bringing emotion and testimony to the stage.

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Idol Felt Like a Personal Testimony

Easter Sunday on American Idol brought faith to the forefront, but when Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake took the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” it stopped being a TV ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.