Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Taylor.
Hi Ash, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Bakersfield, California, which has such a rich country music history, so music was always a huge part of my life. I started writing songs young, and somewhere along the way it became less of a hobby and more of a calling.
I moved to Nashville in 2015 with a dream, a lot of faith, and honestly not a whole lot else. There was a season where I was living out of my car, just trying to figure out how to make this work. I worked at Guitar Center, kept writing, kept playing shows, and slowly started building a life and a career here.
Since then, I’ve gotten to release music I’m really proud of, host my podcast ASH-PHALT, tour, meet incredible people, and build a community around the music. It definitely has not been overnight, but I’m grateful for every step because it shaped me into the artist and person I am today.
My new single “Family,” coming out Friday, July 24th, feels like a really full-circle song for me because it ties back to what matters most — the people who love you, stand beside you, and help build you into who you are.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. I think anybody who tells you the music business is a smooth road is either very lucky or not being completely honest.
There have been plenty of ups and downs over the years. When I moved to Nashville, there were times when money was tight, doors didn’t open as quickly as I hoped, and I questioned whether I was doing the right thing. I’ve played shows to packed rooms and I’ve played shows where there were only a handful of people there. That’s just part of the journey.
But honestly, some of the biggest challenges haven’t even been music-related. Life still happens while you’re chasing a dream. Family emergencies, loss, health struggles, relationships, all of those things can affect you just as much as anything in your career.
Looking back, though, I’m grateful for the hard seasons because they gave me a lot to write about and taught me a lot about perseverance. I think those experiences have made me a better songwriter and a more grounded person.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the heart of it, I’m a songwriter and a storyteller. My favorite thing is taking real-life experiences and turning them into songs that make people feel seen. Whether I’m writing about family, small-town roots, faith, hard times, or just everyday life, I want people to hear a song and think, “Yep, I’ve lived that.”
These days, I spend most of my time writing, recording, performing, and creating content. I also host my podcast, ASH-PHALT, where I get to sit down with artists, musicians, and people with interesting stories to tell.
What I’m probably most proud of is the community that’s grown around the music. I’ve always wanted this to be about more than just songs. Some of the coolest moments aren’t the streams or the numbers—they’re hearing from someone who connected with a lyric, came to a show, or became a friend through this journey.
As far as what sets me apart, I think it’s that I’m just unapologetically myself. I’m not trying to be the next anybody else. I’m a Bakersfield girl who chased a dream to Nashville, loves Jesus, loves her family, and writes songs about real life. That’s who I’ve always been, and that’s who you’ll hear in my music.
What’s next?
Right now, I’m really excited about the release of my new single, Family, on July 10th. It’s a song that’s incredibly personal to me, and I can’t wait for people to hear it. We’re also working on a music video for the song, which has been a really special project because it features all kinds of families and celebrates the people who make us who we are.
Beyond that, my goal is pretty simple: keep growing. I want to keep writing great songs, reaching more people, playing more shows, and continuing to build the community that’s formed around the music.
One thing I’ve learned is that this journey rarely goes exactly according to plan, so I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable holding my goals loosely and staying open to whatever opportunities come along. Some of the best things that have happened in my career weren’t things I planned—they were things I never saw coming.
So while I definitely have goals and big dreams, I’m mostly looking forward to seeing where this next chapter takes me and continuing to do what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashtaylor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtaylorcountry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089420340604
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AshTaylorcountry
