From The Jukebox To The Stage, Carlisle Wright Was “Born In A Dive Bar” – New Single Out Today

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 2, 2026) – Rising country artist Carlisle Wright is leaning into her roots with her latest single, “Born In A Dive Bar,” a playful, unapologetically country anthem that pays homage to the honky-tonks, jukeboxes and traditions that have shaped her love of the genre. Penned by Wright and Mark Irwin, “Born In A Dive Bar” takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to Carlisle’s country upbringing, opening with a nostalgic nod to 2005 Tennessee and the sounds of country radio before delivering its larger-than-life premise: “Mama and daddy, well they took it too far / And I was born in a dive bar.”

Blending humor with a genuine reverence for country music’s roots, the song paints a larger-than-life picture of a childhood raised by jukeboxes and bartenders before arriving at Carlisle’s present-day reality – twenty years of denim and cowboy boots, a life spent onstage and a commitment to keeping the tradition alive.

Listen to “Born In A Dive Bar” HERE.

Wright’s latest release arrives at a milestone moment in her career. Recently, Carlisle Wright was named one of Nashville Briefing’s 25 Artists to Watch 2026 Presented by ASCAP, a recognition that follows a standout summer. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut (see invitation video here) and opened for Alan Jackson at his Last Call: One More For The Road – The Finale at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

Wright will mark another special milestone this fall when she turns 21. To celebrate, she will take the stage at AJ’s Good Time Bar in Nashville for a special birthday performance on October 5 at 8 p.m., bringing together her love of live music and the Nashville community that has supported her journey.

Earlier this summer, Wright released “Wright Kinda Country,” an unapologetic celebration of classic country, honky-tonks and good ol’ fashioned twang. Packed with personality, the song is equal parts introduction, love letter and declaration – a bold statement from a singer-songwriter who knows exactly where she comes from and the kind of country she wants to make.

With her Grand Ole Opry debut, CMA Fest performance and Nissan Stadium appearance now part of a breakout year, Wright is heading into the fall with new music, a major industry recognition and plenty more stories to tell. As she continues carving out her own lane, she remains rooted in the traditional country sounds and larger-than-life personality that first inspired her to pick up a guitar.

Photo by Libby Danforth. Download HERE.

ABOUT CARLISLE WRIGHT

“Keeping it Country” is exactly what fourth-generation singer-songwriter Carlisle Wright is doing. A natural, narrative-driven songwriter from a musical family, Wright carries on a legacy of Southern-style country music that has entertained audiences from intimate family gatherings to the Grand Ole Opry for nearly a century. Blending her deep-rooted appreciation for classic country with a fresh, youthful perspective, Wright is attracting a new generation of fans drawn to traditional sounds and relatable storytelling.

After making her CMA Fest and Grand Ole Opry debuts this summer, Wright opened for country music icon Alan Jackson, at his final concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Her authentic country roots shine through in releases including “Honkytonk Talkin’” and “Half My Heroes,” with her latest single, “Wright Kinda Country.”

To learn more about Carlisle Wright, visit carlislewright.com, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Elise Anderson and Brittany Finley
elise@elicitypr.com / brittany@elicitypr.com

Cindy Mabe

Cindy Mabe is one of Music Row’s most respected music executives and distinguished marketers. A trailblazer throughout her career, she became Nashville’s highest ranking woman label executive when she was appointed UMGN President in 2014. She made history again in 2023 by becoming the first woman to serve as Chair & CEO of a Nashville-based major label group. During her tenure at UMG Nashville, the label group which included Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville, Mabe helped guide and grow the careers of some of country music’s biggest stars including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne, and Little Big Town, among countless others.

Also, during her tenure at UMGN, Mabe launched a new comedy-centered imprint in 2023, Capitol Comedy Nashville, with Grammy-recognized flagship comedian Nate Bargatze. That same year, Mabe unveiled Silver Wings Records, a distribution and independent artist services arm of the label group, and Sing Me Back Home Productions, a TV and Film production company. Sing Me Back Home executive produced the NBC special Toby Keith American Icon which was the highest rated live special on NBC for 2024.

Mabe joined UMGN in 2012 as Senior Vice President, Marketing responsible for leading marketing across Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville and UMG Nashville’s expanded suite of country labels following its acquisition of EMI. Prior to that, Mabe spent five years at Capitol Records Nashville, where she held the position of SVP, Marketing and played an integral role in the long-term creative and commercial success of the label that saw it named Billboard magazine’s “Country Label of the Year” consecutively for seven years from 2005 – 2012.

A North Carolina native, Mabe attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Belmont University in Nashville with a B.S. in Business Administration. She began her music career as promotions coordinator at RCA Nashville, before shifting to sales and then artist marketing and development, during which time she worked with artists including Clint Black, Martina McBride, and Alabama. She later served as Senior Director, Marketing and Artist Development at Arista Records Nashville from 1999-2007 working with the likes of Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, and Diamond Rio before joining Capitol Records Nashville in 2007.

Mabe’s dedication and tremendous work for her artists and her countless contributions to the music community have earned the industry leader multiple awards and honors including the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Award, the SOURCE Hall of Fame Award, and recognition by Save The Music Foundation. Mabe was named as one of Billboard’s Women in Music 2015-2024 and landed on Billboard’s Country Power Players list every year since its inception in 2015 including earning 2019’s Billboard Country Power Players Executive of the Year. Mabe also serves on the Country Music Hall of Fame board. Mabe is also the recent recipient of “The First Responders Children’s Foundation Corporate Hero Award.” Her ongoing commitment to philanthropic leadership led to the creation of the Joan of Arc Music Preservation Foundation, dedicated to protecting the timeless legacy of Country music while championing its continued evolution. Defining JOA’s ethos from day one, every project across its ecosystem supports the Foundation through charitable initiatives that benefit the Country music community.