COUNTRY STAR ASHLEY MCBRYDE'S SOBRIETY JOURNEY 'The Best Buzz Is Just Being Alive'

THE SINGER IS DISCOVERING HAPPIER, HEALTHIER WAYS TO LIVE UP TO HER RENEGADE REPUTATION

- NANCY KRUH

Country star Ashley McBryde can't help but be amazed by the awards and accolades that have piled up around her in the past year. "It's just powpow-pow," says the 40-year-old Arkansas native. Yes, hard work earned these rewards: among them, a Grand Ole Opry membership, a Grammy for her and Carly Pearce's hit No. 1 song "Never Wanted to Be That Girl" and three new CMA Award nominations ahead of the Nov. 8 show. But these days she's also crediting some good karma. All the success has arrived since McBryde made several life changes, including giving up alcohol. "It's sort of like I can hear the universe saying, ‘Kid, you were just in your own way,"" says McBryde.