Ashley Berry: The Duality of the Southern Thing

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Welcome back to Fan Mail, a recurring feature where I interview a fellow Drive-By Truckers fan. This week, I had the pleasure of getting to know Ashley Berry.

If you drew a map of Ashley Berry’s life, you’d find a lot of well-worn roads running through North Alabama, Atlanta, and Athens, GA. Ashley grew up in Gardendale, AL, outside of Birmingham and south of the Muscle Shoals / “Zip City” region. She has lived in Atlanta for almost 22 years, though she's also an honorary resident of Athens.

“I’ve made some wonderful friends through the Drive-By Truckers community who live there,” Ashley says. “I visit and stay with them often. In fact, my friend Tony Paramore likes to joke that he’s going to claim me on his tax return next year. (Thank you, Tony and Tonia.)”

The geography of Ashley’s life shares the Drive-By Truckers’ terroir, and her experience growing up in North Alabama almost eerily aligns with DBT’s lyrics. Keep reading to learn how her upbringing shaped her values, her favorite show of the 100-plus DBT concerts she has attended, and the rare documentary that all music fans should watch.

How and when did you discover the Drive-By Truckers?

I first discovered the Drive-By Truckers around 2003 or 2004. I listened to them sometimes and liked their music, but I didn’t become truly hooked until later. In early 2005, my friend Cher Suchanick made me a CD of all her favorite DBT songs, and that completely changed everything.

When I first heard “Ronnie and Neil,” it brought back so many memories of growing up in Alabama, my mom, and the music I grew up with. That song made something click for me.

My mother was a strong civil rights supporter. I watched her stand up for what was right, and those values became part of who I am.

My first Drive-By Truckers show was in Asheville, North Carolina, in July 2005, and after that night, I was a fan for life.

What was the album or song that got you into the band?

As I mentioned, I grew up in Gardendale, about fifteen minutes outside of Birmingham. My mom was a teacher in the city and worked with the father of one of the little girls who was murdered in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. I grew up hearing that story, and my mother was a strong civil rights supporter. I watched her stand up for what was right, and those values became part of who I am.

When I first heard the opening lyrics to “Ronnie and Neil,” it gave me chills.

So when I first heard the opening lyrics to “Ronnie and Neil,” it gave me chills. All the hairs on my arms stood up. Also, in the song lyrics, soul artists and who recorded in Muscle Shoals are mentioned, and I was raised on Motown, Stax, and “That Muscle Shoals Sound.” That music has always been a part of my life, and most of my vinyl record collection is still made up of soul records.

How many shows have you attended? What are your top one or two and why?

I’m not one of those people who keeps a spreadsheet of all my shows, though I wish I had. I’d guess I’ve seen around 110 shows, including solo shows.

My favorite show of all time was on April 1, 2009, at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta with Booker T. Jones. Drive-By Truckers were his band on his album Potato Hole, and it felt like the best of both worlds came together. I had Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MGs from Stax Records and the Drive-By Truckers in the same room, and I was completely mind blown.

What DBT song do you think you’ve listened to more than any other and why?

The Drive-By Truckers song I’ve listened to more than any other is “Ronnie and Neil.” It’s still the one that means the most to me, but now I have to listen to “Days of Graduation” going into “Ronnie and Neil.” Now that’s the perfect album opener.

Any song you’ve never heard performed and still hope you do?

I have heard “Aftermath USA” before, but it was a long time ago, and I don’t remember it. I only realized later that it was on a setlist from a past show. That’s the song I most want to hear live again, and this time I’ll definitely make note of it.

What underappreciated DBT song do you like?

With my friends, we appreciate them all. But if I had to pick, for Patterson, it would be “Wednesday.” I love that song. And for Cooley, it would be “Perfect Timing.”

What’s your Lynyrd Skynyrd – a band you wish you’d seen live but didn’t?

The band I wish I had seen live is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It breaks my heart every time I have to say that. I actually had a ticket but wasn’t feeling great that day. Looking back, I was definitely feeling well enough to go, and not seeing them is my biggest music regret.

Related >> Courtney Francesca: Watching the Punks and the Freaks

What’s your favorite piece of DBT merch or memorabilia that you own?

My favorite piece of merch I own is the poster from Patterson Hood’s solo show on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. That show took place the day after Doug Jones won his race for senator in the state of Alabama.

This band, these songs, and all the Heathens I’ve met have changed how I feel about being from Alabama.

I’ll spare the details of who he ran against. I’ll just say, Doug Jones had prosecuted two of the KKK members responsible for the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, and they were found guilty back in 2002.

At that show, Patterson said something like, “This was the first time I’ve woken up in a while where I have been proud to be from Alabama.” That really resonated with me.

This band, these songs, and all the Heathens I’ve met have changed how I feel about being from Alabama. Because of DBT, my best friends are from Alabama. 

What’s the most embarrassing DBT superfan thing about you?

Probably the most embarrassing DBT superfan thing about me involves my cat. He weighs 18 pounds, maybe a little more now.

During the pandemic, when we were all bonding virtually over livestreamed shows, Patterson played “18 Wheels of Love.” I looked at my cat and said, “That’s you, 18 Pounds of Love.” And ever since then, that’s been his name. Now all my fellow Heathens call him 18.

Recommendations! Are there any recent movies, books, or records you want to recommend to other DBT fans?

The one documentary I recommend to everyone is Tom Dowd: The Language of Music. It’s pretty hard to find, but absolutely worth it.

Terrell Benton, a former tour guide at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, recommended it to me back in the summer of 2018, and I searched high and low for it until another Heathen finally hooked me up. It’s a wonderful documentary that every music lover should see.

And I’ll just assume that if you’re watching Tom Dowd, you’ve already seen the Muscle Shoals documentary.

Do you have a favorite dive bar?

I don’t go to bars to drink anymore, but I still go to bars to see great music. Flicker Bar is my favorite. I go there to see good bands, spend time with other Heathens and Sheathens, and laugh and have fun together.

Are there any questions I haven’t asked that you think I should?

I can’t think of any specific other questions, but I will say this is one of the best music communities around. The Drive-By Truckers community is full of giving, supportive, and truly beautiful people.