COUNTRY – COUNTRY ROCK ARTIST ‘ASHLEY JORDAN’ IS READY TO TAKE THE STAGE AND SHARE HER SOUND. YOU CAN GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HER RIGHT IN OUR CHAT HERE!

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What is your name?
Ashley Jordan!

What is your genre of music?
I suppose I would describe myself as Country or Country Rock. I also like to refer to my music as Outlaw Country because I often push the boundaries of “country music.” Genres can be confusing and limiting – when I first started performing I was simply known as a singer-songwriter… with a twang.

Give us a little bio about yourself. What made you get into music?
I loved music as a little girl and completely adored my Grandpa Buck Jordan, who played the guitar and harmonica and wrote/sang folk and country music. He passed away when I was young, but I really feel that my connection with him was something extraordinary and that he is part of who I am. I was an extremely shy little girl but one day I walked up on a stage for a talent show in elementary school and shocked everyone by belting out an Avril Lavigne song. I felt so comfortable on stage in front of an auditorium of people and I knew that I had found my “thing.” I started taking vocal lessons, learning guitar and writing music and one of my mentors (whom I had idolized after watching him perform) also did street performing in Boston. He taught me the ropes and as soon as I felt confident, I hit the city streets and started “busking” at the age of 13. I wrote songs, played the guitar and sang for strangers passing by and really learned my trade at an early age. Eventually people started asking me to come and play inside at their venues instead of on the street – lol!

Are you signed?
I am not currently signed!

You have released your new single ‘Still Hear Him Talking’–tell us more about the single.
I recorded this song as part of a 10-song album and I actually hadn’t decided if I wanted to record it. It’s a very personal and emotional song – about losing my maternal grandfather, then my grandmother in the same year – and just as everything else in the world seemed to be imploding. I was feeling really low but felt the presence of God and of those I had loved and lost around me everywhere, giving me guidance and talking with me.

What is the meaning behind the single?
I like to let people decide for themselves what the song means to them – but it’s definitely touching on how the world seems to be so dark right now, but that we all need to take a moment and listen to all the voices from beyond as they guide us through our darkness.

Describe the track in two words.
Stop. Listen.

What was the writing and recording process like?
The writing process was a wonderful release – but I couldn’t perform the song for a long time because it made me so emotional. When I played the song for my producer to see if he thought it should be recorded – it was an instant favorite and was the last songs to be recorded of the ten. The first take of the song was very emotional and made a big impact on all the musicians and my management crew and friends who were there at the studio that day. It was very surreal.

Who did you work with on the single?
I wrote the song myself, but the incredible production is thanks to my amazing producer, Jeff Huskins, at Sound Stage Studio in Nashville, TN. I can’t express enough how incredible it was to work with someone so talented and supportive like Jeff, yet at the same time someone so chill. Jeff filled the studio with the most epic group of studio musicians: Scotty Anders (Band leader) who is a legend and played pedal steel on my songs (and Scotty has played on Blake Shelton, Trace Atkins, Cody Johns, Sam Hunt and other records). Evan Hutchings played drums on my songs and he had just recorded Jimmy Allen’s record. Jimmie Carter played bass and he is actually Alan Jackson’s bassist. Joel Key played acoustic guitar and mandolin for me – he is Cole Swindell’s acoustic guitarist. And Jon Conley played the electric guitar on my songs and he’s a music partner of Kenny Chesney. There was so much talent and energy in the room I could hardly breathe!
One other very cool aspect of the recording process with Jeff Huskins is the fact that “Still Hear Him Talking” (as well as the remaining nine songs) are being formatted in the new Dolby Atmos technology which provides an incredibly immersive listening experience. It’s really exciting to be putting out some cutting edge “surround sound” technology after working with such an unbelievable crew in Nashville. Jeff Huskins is one of only a handful of producers who has a Dolby Atmos certified studio and I feel honored to be a part of the group of artists who are releasing music in this format!

Will we see a music video for the track if so when can we expect it?
We are starting off by releasing a behind-the-scenes music video of “Still Hear Him Talking” because it was such an incredible recording experience. We had a huge team in Nashville but we hadn’t intended to film any video that day in the studio. However my amazing photographer and friend, Tommy Colbert (of ‘Tommy Colbert Photography’), felt the energy in the room and saw the opportunity – and decided to capture the magic in the room which resulted in this wonderful video.

Will we see a music video for the track if so when can we expect it?
We are starting off by releasing a behind-the-scenes music video of “Still Hear Him Talking” because it was such an incredible recording experience. We had a huge team in Nashville but we hadn’t intended to film any video that day in the studio. However my amazing photographer and friend, Tommy Colbert (of ‘Tommy Colbert Photography’), felt the energy in the room and saw the opportunity – and decided to capture the magic in the room which resulted in this wonderful video.

Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect?
We are releasing singles at this time and eventually the full album.

Do you have any online shows coming up?
With COVID, our schedule for live shows has changed completely and most of our upcoming live shows have been postponed/cancelled for now. We have been doing some really fun and successful livestream shows though– so if you check in with my website you’ll find when livestream events are coming: www.AshleyJordanMusic.com

What else can we expect in 2020?
There is SO much happening right now that I’m really excited about. We have a new website coming out, new music videos, new songs to be released, and more! I am so grateful to the amazing team of people I have surrounding me – from my management team of Andrew Corbett, Will McCormick and Terri Lantz, to my family and all the incredible visionaries who are the unsung heroes in my life in photography, film production, sound, lights, clothing/scene design – and also my amazing band!

Who are your influences?
I have been influenced by all the music I grew up with – everything from folk music and Ozark Country music – to James Taylor, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and more. Current influences are artists such as Lori McKenna, Chris Stapleton, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Lindsay Ell, Toby Keith and more

How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I get inspiration from everything around me – the good, the bad and the ugly, lol. People often think that every song I write is about me personally – but I draw stories from people I’ve met along the way, movies and books that have influenced me, stories I’ve heard, etc. I also write from an emotional place – so if there’s something raw that hits me hard, the first thing I do is put it to paper. Look out – lol!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself signed with a label, my music playing out there across the country and I’m performing and sharing the stage with national acts.

When you’re not making music, what do you do?
Music is really my life – so if I’m not doing something music related (rehearsing, writing, etc) – I’m pretty much hanging with my family and dogs. I have an amazing boyfriend and two awesome dogs (a Beagle and a German Shepherd), a really supportive family and group of close friends – and other than that I’m a home-body.

What was the song or artist you listened to most that influenced you to get more into the music scene?
I feel like I have always been immersed in music my entire life and I loved all different kinds of music so it’s tough to remember what lead me into the music scene. If anything, perhaps going to open mics when I was really young and hearing people perform original music prompted me to want to perform my own songs. I also recall listening to James Taylor’s Greatest Hits over and over again as a little girl while on vacation with my family on Cape Cod and those songs were very impacting.

What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
I think the most poignant advice given to me was when I was in my teens and just starting to get opportunities to play at some bigger venues. A music guru (Steve Rapson) told me that whenever I performed for a room I always needed to perform like it was the last time I was going to get to play – and that it didn’t matter if there was only one person there in that room to listen, because you never know who that one person might be. I have never forgotten that piece of advice!

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians, not about the industry but just as an artist?
I think it would be to trust yourself – – – trust your gut. Just like everyday life, you need to channel that inner voice to help guide you when making decisions and about how to stay true to who you are as an artist.

What quote or saying do you always stick by?
My last name JORDAN has a really cool history that I’m proud of – and is based a legend about a courageous soldier during the Third Crusade (he was fighting for King Richard the Lion-Hearted), and was in a fierce battle on the banks of the River Jordan. Despite continued and ruthless fighting, this brave soldier would get back up each time he was knocked down and wounded. His bravery and persistence encouraged other soldiers around him to keep going and not give up – and ultimately led to an unexpected victory. King Richard was nearby and watched this scene unfold and knighted the heroic crusader as “Sir Jordan.” The Jordan coat-of-arms has the motto “Percussa Resurgo” – which is the quote I choose to live by. It means “When struck down, I will rise again.” Everyone can relate to that feeling of getting knocked down – but it’s especially true in the music industry. The key is that you just need to keep getting up again and again until you reach victory!

Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
My hometown (Harvard, MA) is a wonderful little town to visit in general – especially if you like horses and apple trees. People always tell me that they’ve heard of Harvard, MA only because they go there every year to pick apples – and I believe there’s over a dozen orchards all around us. We don’t have any stop lights in town, but we do have a General Store (it’s the only happening place, lol) that is a “must-visit” – not only because it’s historic and they have great food and supplies/gifts, but also because they recently were one of the locations for the filming of the 2018 hit movie “Little Women” (starring actors such as Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and YES – Meryl Streep)! They filmed scenes inside and outside of the Harvard General Store and also at the historical Fruitlands area (which is another cool place to visit in Harvard).

You’re coming off tour:
1.     Where do you go first?

Home – to wherever I live at the time, lol. COVID-19 craziness has moved me around a bit, so wherever I hang my hat at that time!
2.     Who do you see first?
My boyfriend, dogs and family.
3.     What do you eat first?
Probably some buffalo chicken wings!

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
1)Guitar 2) pick 3) capo 4) tuner 5) jug of water

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?

Absolutely!

www.AshleyJordanMusic.com 
(has links to all social media)
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram




Comments (1):

  1. Mark s page

    September 29, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Read your whole Bio what a great story of family, dreams of a little girl, inspirations, the sadness of loss and all your ventures, making your mark and now belting out one hell of a musical resume. Congrats it is all going to be ok. Straight to the top.

    Reply

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