Ashland Craft Talks Dive Bar Beauty Queen, Nashville Dive Bars & Blue-Collar Country Music.

Country artist Ashland Craft joins Tony Mendoza on Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, for an authentic conversation about blue-collar country music, life on the road, and the experiences that continue to shape her career.

Known for her powerhouse vocals, Southern rock edge, and unapologetically honest songwriting, Ashland discusses her album Dive Bar Beauty Queen, growing up performing in small-town bars, and why she'll never forget the hardworking people and places that helped build her career. She also shares her favorite Nashville dive bars and explains why those venues remain the heart of country music.

Tony and Ashland dive into touring with artists like Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, and Cody Johnson while discussing what it's really like building a career as a headlining artist in today's country music industry. Ashland reflects on why performing live continues to be her favorite part of the job and why connecting with fans will always come before anything else.

The conversation also explores the next chapter of Ashland's music as she reveals how her upcoming songs will become even more personal, drawing inspiration from family, life experiences, and the moments that shaped the artist she is today.

If you're a fan of country music, Southern rock, honky-tonks, Nashville dive bars, blue-collar storytelling, live music, and authentic artist conversations, this interview offers an inside look at one of country music's most genuine voices.

About Tony Mendoza

Tony Mendoza is a Nashville-based media personality, host, executive producer, and digital storyteller. He is the creator and host of Heart of the Gulch, where he has interviewed hundreds of country music artists, entertainers, and industry leaders while covering major events including CMA Fest and Country Radio Seminar. His work focuses on authentic storytelling, artist development, and the evolving landscape of country music.

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