Ashley Monroe Releases 'Dear Nashville' Live Album

10-14-2026

(MPG) Earlier this year, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Ashley Monroe surprise-released an 8-song concept album alongside a letter written to her hometown of Nashville, TN.

Today, Monroe released Dear Nashville (Live At The Station Inn), a live recording of the entire album featuring its co-producer and co-writer Luke Laird and GRAMMY-nominated pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin. The 10-song album was captured during Monroe's two sold-out performances of the album at The Station Inn on June 8, 2026, and also includes covers of Patty Loveless' "Nothing But The Wheel" and Vince Gill's "Whenever You Come Around."

"Performing the Dear Nashville record with Paul Franklin and Luke Laird at the Station Inn will go down as one of the most magical nights of my entire career," Monroe explains. "The audience knew every word and completely blew us away. I truly feel like it was one of the purest forms of musical expression I've ever surrendered to, and I hope you can feel the spirit of that night when you listen to the live record."

Luke Laird adds, "The whole experience of making the album with Ashley is one of the most creatively fulfilling things I've ever been a part of. To have the opportunity to play it top to bottom at the legendary Station Inn with Ashley and Paul is one of those pinch me moments."

"This recording is a musical time capsule," says Paul Franklin. "It captures a very special night marking the exact date when three like minded artists bonded through these amazing songs. Ashley's voice was stellar, pouring out her heart and soul. I will never forget this moment!"

Dear Nashville was released to immediate acclaim, drawing attention from Music Row, The New York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Billboard who proclaimed, "she astutely etches a distinction between the beloved styles of country music that continually inspire her musical passion and creativity... and the industry's harsh, endless and often unforgiving demands."

Last month, Monroe was interviewed by Jewly Hight on NPR's Here & Now, who called the album "a tender, nuanced look at her relationship with the genre and the music industry."

Over the summer, Rolling Stone's Marissa R. Moss published an extensive feature interview with Monroe where she discussed her complicated two-decade-long relationship with Nashville and how the album's unflinching honesty has resonated throughout the wider music community. Rolling Stone also named the album's opening song and thematic centerpiece "I Hate Nashville" one of the best songs of 2026 so far.

Following the album's release, Monroe has been unfolding a visual companion to the album, releasing official videos to accompany each track. The official video for the album opener "I Hate Nashville" was shot at The Station Inn, while the video for "Steal" found Monroe reflecting on moments from across her career - from collaborating with Jack White, to sharing the stage with John Prine, and hanging out with her Pistol Annies bandmates. She also released videos for "Haunted," "Gettin' Out Of Hand," "What Are We?" and "Dreaming."