Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlyn Marie.
Ashlyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a very conservative Christian household. Whether it was a Sunday morning or a Friday night, I was pretty much always in church. Although my views did not always line up with that of my parents, I got exposed early on to all kinds of music. My dad was the drummer, my aunt was the worship leader, my Papa is an Elvis impersonator, my Mimi is a piano teacher, the list goes on. Inevitably, I was leading worship on a number of “praise teams” from the age of 12. As I got older though, I realized my talent and passion for songwriting. By 14, I was writing full songs and hoarding them away for no one to hear. In high school, I attended the Fine Arts Center and finally got some professional vocal training. I was trained in classical music and musical theater, which fueled my passion even more. I knew I just wanted to sing and would never be happy with any other career path. I became known for my voice at school, performing at pep rallies, basketball and football games, ceremonies and assemblies, etc. At the end of my senior year, my family convinced me to fly to Houston with my mom and audition for The Voice. I ended up getting a call back a few short months later, but was cut after the 4th round of pre-auditions. After high school, I enrolled as an Elementary Education major at Clemson University. I tried to go for something “safe” and “practical” for four semesters. During this time, I continued writing songs and keeping them to myself. I also had the opportunity and wonderful experience to perform the National Anthem for the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, the Miss South Carolina Pageant, and multiple events at Clemson University. When the pandemic hit, though, I was faced with a lot of inner work and healing that I did not know I needed. In this time I decided to switch my major to Performing Arts Voice. I am now in my 2nd year in the program and have already learned so much. In January of this year, I wrote “Blindhorse Blues”, a country-pop song about a honky tonk bar in my hometown, the Blindhorse Saloon. I knew I was a good songwriter, but this one set a fire in my soul. Going down the road, with just a verse and a chorus, I started to cry and could almost bet my life that it would be on the radio one day. Just a few months later, I came up with an insanely cool, rugged, dark melody, first verse and chorus that later came to be “Big Long Road to Texas”. I turned to my co-writer and duo partner, Hope Douds (together we are Hellz Bellz) to help me finish it. We traveled to Nashville in August to record that song and my solo song. With our upcoming release of BLRTT, I have learned so much about the ins and outs of recording and releasing a song, and all of the background work that comes with it. I am so excited and blessed to be on this journey and can not wait to share my music with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a full-time college student, it is not easy balancing time for a music career. I often find myself squeezing meetings and songwriting sessions in between heavy loads of classes. Although I am so incredibly fortunate to be receiving the instruction that I am at Clemson, it is sometimes difficult finding inspiration to write hit songs when struggling to memorize 10-page Italian arias or 5 minute belty musical theater pieces. Other than that, I am extremely happy and feel like my schooling is very beneficial to my career and future goals. It is also not always easy being the black sheep of the family, There are members of my extended family who have decided that my music and my image are not ideal for their lifestyle and have since stopped talking to me. I have learned though, that in this career your circle must be small, and filled only with the people that support you and have your best interest at heart.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a 22-year-old singer/songwriter and recording artist. I tend to come up with catchy melodies on the fly and record them on my phone throughout the day. When I have time away from school work, I sit down and go through those melodies and put lyrics to them. This form of songwriting is known as top-lining and it’s how I’ve written some of my best songs. Right now, I am most proud of “Blindhorse Blues”, my first solo song produced by Brandon Manley that will be coming out at the start of 2022. I think what sets me apart is my voice, Behind my songwriting skills, my voice is what started it all. I have been known for my voice for so much of my life that it has become the main event of my personality, I feel like in the industry today, country music does not have nearly enough soulful pop divas. That is exactly what I plan to bring to the table.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I am very blessed to be able to say that I have had so many people in my life to help me along this journey. From the beginning, I began learning how to sing and perform from my Papa who has been doing Elvis shows since I was a little girl. I was surrounded by music and musicians for all of my childhood and picked up a lot of useful things along the way. At the beginning of this summer, I met my duo partner, Hope, who quickly became my mentor and pushed me to put my songs to good use. I also have to give a huge thank you to my professors at Clemson who teach me about being an artist every single day, Dr. Lisa Sain Odom, Dr. Anthony Bernarducci, and everyone at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. Although each and every one of my friends and family have contributed in some way, I would not know what to do without my best friend, Maryann Klaiber, who worked days and nights to plan and promote nearly every part of “Big Long Road to Texas”.
Contact Info:
- Email: ashlynmariemusic@gmail.com
- Website: https://beacons.page/ashlynmariemusic/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynmariemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlynmariemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqkfqzgeDa5JyGazulas4w
Image Credits
Maryann Klaiber
