Before Ashley McBryde was selling out headlining shows and releasing acclaimed albums like Wild, she spent time working for the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. While the gig was short-lived and took place about 20 years ago, it left McBryde with a story that sounds like a scene straight out of a country music fairytale.
During a recent interview with BBC Radio 2, McBryde revealed that she once saved Dolly’s home from potential destruction after a microwave caught fire.
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A Bear Hug to the Rescue
According to McBryde, the incident occurred while the home was undergoing renovations. She was staying in a small section of the house that contained only two rooms, a deep freeze, a bed, and the microwave in question. When the appliance began to smoke and catch fire, McBryde knew she had to act fast to protect the ongoing re-wallpapering work.
“I unplugged it from the wall, grabbed it with a bear hug and ran it out the door,” McBryde recalled. “For that smoke to be billowing out of the microwave, it would have ruined everything in that room.”
Dolly’s Unique Thank You
Rather than being upset, Dolly Parton reportedly took the incident in stride. She even gifted the damaged microwave to McBryde, offering a bit of domestic advice on how to remove the lingering scent of smoke by heating up a bowl of vinegar. McBryde noted that while the trick didn’t quite get rid of the “burnt things and vinegar” smell, the experience remained a highlight of her time working for the icon.
McBryde also shared that she held onto a tube of ChapStick given to her by Parton for two decades, saving it for “special occasions.” It is a testament to the lasting impact of the country legend, even on those who only worked for her for a short time.
Check out the music video for McBryde’s “Arkansas Mud” below:
