Amy McBride: FACES of Williamson County

Nashville-raised Amy McBride is a now a proud Williamson Countyian. She’s a diva, storyteller, blogger, part-time interior decorator, Sonic drink aficionado and is, without a doubt, a one-of-a-kind spirit that bubbles over with authenticity, humor and fun. She could possibly be my new best friend … OK, that could be stretching it a bit, but I’m sure most people feel that way after spending a little time with her. And today, we’re thrilled to introduce her as our FACES of Williamson County feature. Welcome, Amy!

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You have a reputation for speaking your mind and being really funny. Can you share with us a story of how that got you into trouble?

Oh, lawdy! Thankfully, I don’t have a big whammy moment that made me wanna move outta town, but I’m sure I rub some people the wrong way! I think laughter and taking risks is better than playing it safe though.

Tell us one thing that people might be surprised to learn about you.

I cherish alone time. I am highly relational, love to have fun, make folks laugh and encourage them … but I require alone time to recharge. People think I am an extrovert, when in reality, I am really an extro/introvert.

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How important are your girlfriends?

Good golly, they are vital! I adore my Keller with a burning passion. Our three ginger girls (Mallory, Mary Catherine and Annie) are all that and a bag of chips. But girlfriends? They can tell you that you’re bringing too much bootie back in your jeans, give you an “atta girl” when you take Walmart cupcakes to the class party and talk about their sex drive … all in one sentence. I don’t take for granted that I am crazy blessed to have dear girlfriends to walk life with. We laugh. We cry. We listen. We cheer each other on. We are for each other.

A few years back I was in Hotlanta with my bestie and her mama. While shopping, we see a pair of pants that we both loved. They were linen (not stretchy) big, flowy, fantastic, funky numbers. We were smitten. Tracy searches for the extra small, and I the largest. I hold them up and say “T, no way. These babies won’t fit over my junk.” She looks at them and says, “You’re crazy, they’re gonna look great!” “Nope, too small. I don’t even need to try them on.”  “Amylou, put the pants on! They will fit you … you don’t see yourself as you really are.” I knew they prolly wouldn’t even fit over my knees, but I obliged.

While Tracy is deciding what colors to buy, I’m breaking out in a sweat trying to pull those suckers over my hocks. I get them on (stuff myself in), and Tracy says, “I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD FIT!” Not a second later we hear a rip that sounded like a car rolling over bubble wrap. Those beauties were split from pillar to post. I mean they were toast.

We couldn’t breathe we are laughing so hard. NanNan wet herself, which made us bust a gut even more. In the middle of uncontrollable laughter, we realized we were faced with a moral dilemma. Do we tell the store employees that I ripped the pants to shreds or do we exit the scene? We left that place faster than you can say “bless your heart!” That is the value of girlfriends. They have your back.

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Can you share one piece of advice that has seen you through the good and bad times?

Live in the moment, and take in whatever is happening at that time. I try to find joy in the present. You can’t change yesterday, and worrying about tomorrow doesn’t add time to your life (Matthew 6:27). At the end of each day, I try to journal or think of three things that I am grateful for.

Are you still writing your blog?

You mean www.musiccitymcbride.com? (Hanky wave for the shameless plug!)

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How has Williamson County changed since you grew up here?

I actually grew up in Nashville on the border of Williamson County, but have lived in Williamson County over 20 years. The store across from Brentwood Interiors was Mr. Huff’s grocery where we “traded.” The aisles at Huffs slanted down, and I remember holding on to the buggy so it wouldn’t roll downhill and hit the meat counter! I can still smell the country hams hanging from the ceiling.

My grandmother was a Mallory. Our ancestors owned the property that the Cool Springs Galleria is on, as well as the surrounding area. A Mallory or two married a Crockett (Crockett Park), so our family has been around these parts for a while. Word has it that John Mallory gambled the property away for $20 (if I were a hater, it would be him). My 83-year-old momma, Marilyn Swanson, still lives in Franklin. She owns the Mallory Cemetery, as she is the oldest Mallory descendant. It is located behind Academy and Burger King. She remembers hearing her momma talk about riding to the cemetery in a horse and buggy. Now we can grab a new ball glove, a Whopper with cheese and pay respects to great granny, all in one stop. I’d say that’s change.

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What restaurant in the Williamson County or the Nashville area did you have your last best meal?

Papa Boudreaux’s. The shrimp and cheese grits will make you smack your momma down.

Do you have any pet peeves?

People who don’t understand personal space are not enjoyable to me. I have a bad breath paranoia and getting two inches from my face isn’t my idea of an intimate conversation. Pass the Listerine would ya?!

What books are currently found on your nightstand or e-reader?

I keep my journaling Bible close by. It’s a Bible with wide margins to write sermon notes and what not. I paint and draw in it, too. These visuals help me learn Scripture in a deeper way.

I usually have a stack of books going at once, but recently a friend turned 50, and I put all my reading time into listening to “Uptown Funk” a gazillion times for a birthday tribute.

“Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent, Gotta kiss myself, I’m so pretty.” I might have done a little break dancing as well.

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Are there any local events you are looking forward to attending in the next few months?

I have a senior, so most of our spring calendar is filled with graduation parties and celebrations. Whoop!

Name three things you can’t live without, excluding faith, family and friends.

I couldn’t possibly narrow it to just three things! Here goes: hair clippies and wraps, my glasses, lipstick, carbs, my dogs, iPhone, air conditioning and gum. I could never be on “Survivor.”

See? Don’t you wish she was your BFF now, too? Thank you, Amy, for sharing your happy outlook on life with us today! 

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SB Note: Photos are by today’s author, Heather Sisemore, who runs a full-time photography business and we think she is quite the talent catch, don’t you?! Find out more about her business here: blog.heathersisemore.com

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