Ashley McBryde Brings Vengeful 'Martha Divine' to 2021 ACM Awards

Ashley McBryde wasn't playing around at the 2021 ACM Awards on Sunday night (April 18). The country singer-songwriter gave an energetic performance of "Martha Divine" — a song that's a modern-day take on the old classic country murder ballad.

The narrator in the song is considering the various ways in which she might kill her father's lover to avenge her wronged mother: "Martha Divine, Martha Divine / You put your hands on the wrong damn man this time / Jezebel, you're bound for Hell / But evidently, the devil was busy so I moved you up in line, Martha Divine," McBryde sang in one of the darker performances the ACM Awards has seen in recent years.

What truly made the performance of the song shine bright was the fact that McBryde chose to give it from Nashville's Bridge Building, allowing the lights of downtown Music City to glisten behind her. In a way, the performance of the addictive hit in the making paid homage to just how far McBryde has come and how far she seems destined to go.

McBryde included "Martha Divine" on her acclaimed Never Will album, which she released in 2020. The album is nominated for Album of the Year at the 2021 ACM Awards, and McBryde is also nominated for Female Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for "One Night Standards."

The 2021 ACM Awards air live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Sign up for Paramount+ here.

2021 ACM Awards Show Photos:

The 2021 ACM Awards took place in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). Luke Bryan was crowned Entertainer of the Year, while Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris were named Male and Female Artist of the Year, respectively.

The three-hour show was also packed with performances from Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Little Big Town and many more. Artists were at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe, as well as on Lower Broadway, at the Station Inn and along the Nashville riverfront.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton co-hosted the show.

See Pictures From the 2021 ACM Awards Red Carpet:

The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).

Filed Under: Ashley McBryde