The authentic Ashley McBryde

The Rusty Nail is one of those Nashville bars where songwriters come to celebrate songwriters. Country music is, after all, about stories, and Ashley McBryde had notebooks full of hopefuls. "When you're playing in places like this, you're trying to find out where you are in the pack," she said.

She was good! Unafraid to write lyrics that both struck a chord – and maybe a few nerves.

Patti's got an upper to get her through her shift And a downer so she can lay down with the kids Hallelujah, hallelujah Jesus loves the drunkards and the whores and the queersFrom "Gospel Night at the Strip Club"