Catch Of The Week: Ashley Jordan
Meet Ashley Jordan from Harvard, MA
Listening to Ashley Jordan’s latest gem is a little like sipping a hot cocoa on a cold winter day. But, surprise… it’s spiked with bourbon! There’s the comfort of the familiar, and there is the power of the punch. Ashley has a way of luring you in with her warm overtones, then when you least expect it, you’re gone. You are right there in the story and the emotions, and she is taking you exactly where she wants you to go. “Angels and Demons” starts out with tender vibes, before it gets edgy, ebbing and flowing until ultimately finding comfort.
There’s an obvious sophistication in Jordan’s sound, yet it’s also raw. There are real emotions on display, and a real passion for what she is doing. Ashley is the consummate professional, and has spent many years working on her craft. From her early teens, husking on the streets of Cambridge, to now working with some of the biggest names in writing and producing in Nashville. She is polished, but not too shiny. Rugged, but not too coarse. This up and comer has just the perfect blend of texture and twang. I’m excited for what the future holds for this accomplished artist.
Jordan Jams
On her “Angels and Demons,” Ashley says, “it’s about being vulnerable and trying to figure out how to be in a relationship. When I was a young girl, I had ideals in my mind about life, love and other aspects of growing up – and it often felt like I was being pulled in different directions towards the light or into the darkness. I always believed in fairytales, and it was unsettling to realize that the path to love was much more confusing and messier than I had believed. I needed to figure out how to love and how to be loved – but also how to remain true to myself and my own path in life.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8gvrbpreG8
Ashley Answers
From: Born and raised in Harvard, MA
Now lives in: Boston, MA/Nashville, TN
Current single, and or EP or Album: current single: Single: Angels and Demons (and music video). Full album will be dropping in June, 2022
What lead you to music: I think my grandparents had a lot of influence on me getting started in music. My paternal grandfather (who sadly passed away when I was very young) had been a country singer/songwriter. My maternal grandparents lived in the Ozarks of Missouri (where we spent our summers) which is rich in traditional country and bluegrass music – and my grandfather was one of my greatest music supporters. Also, my parents always played music in the house (I grew up on James Taylor, the Beatles and every kind of music imaginable) and my mother played classical piano. So I was constantly surrounded by music – but definitely I was the first one in our family to ever pursue music as a career.
How old when you started: I started singing as a young child but I was very shy and wouldn’t sing in front of anyone. I performed at a talent show for the first time when I was 11 or 12– and everyone was shocked that I would even get up on a stage. I soon learned to play the guitar so I could accompany myself – and then at age 13 I started doing open mics and then busking on the streets of Cambridge in Harvard Square.
First country song you learned: Leave the Pieces by the Wreckers
Instruments played: Guitar and harmonica (ukulele too)
How would you describe your sound: I started out as a singer/songwriter and sort of naturally evolved into a country music artist, given my roots and my “twang.”
Who inspires you: I was first inspired by my Grandfather Buck Jordan, who was a country singer-songwriter and he sang to me all the time when I was very young. I had a strong connection to him and through the years have constantly felt his presence in my music! I’m also inspired by the music of Lori McKenna, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile, Ellis Paul, Miranda Lambert and so many more!
If you are a band, how did you get your name: When I play as a full band, we are called the Ashley Jordan Band (lol – It’s my real name – people often ask me if it’s a stage name but it’s definitely not)! I’m really proud of the name Jordan and my Scottish/Irish heritage – and the Jordan Coat-of-Arms that hangs at our family home contains the motto “Percussa Resurgo” – which translates “When struck down, I rise again.”
Awards/accolades: I received a first round Grammy nomination for my single “Angels” – and I’ve also won several Boston Music Awards and dozens of Pulse Magazine awards over the years. I won a few radio competitions and was also a 2-time Nash Next National top ten finalist. In my early years I was part of the New England Country Music Organization and I won dozens of awards from them at the state and national levels of competition.
Dream duet partner: Garth Brooks
All- time favorite country song: Jolene is one of my all time favorites!
First country concert: Rascal Flatts
What songs do you like now on Country 1025: Cold as You – by Luke Combs (and Randy Montana – who is another one of my favorite songwriters).
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: That’s easy —I’d be running my own Dog shelter full-time. I have a charitable organization called FURever Luv that is very close to my heart. We are accepting donations right now and for the third straight year we will be delivering truckloads of goods to two deserving dog shelters in the next few months. Anyone interested can go to our website for more info on donating: www.fureverluv-official.com
Most proud moment: I’ll go with some recent proud moments that occurred the last time I was in Nashville. On one day I wrote and recorded a song with Nick Autry of Black River Entertainment (which was really cool). Then the next day I was sitting in the living room of Tim Rushlow (lead singer from the band ‘Little Texas’) and we worked on another song together. I felt so honored and proud of the music that was being created.
I also had this opportunity with my amazing Nashville based producer, Jeff Huskins, to have a few of my songs mixed in Dolby Atmos which is this new breakthrough spatial sound experience. It gave me a sense of truly realizing my vision for the songs and it added a new layer of emotion for my listeners. Sometimes it feels like the music is swirling all around me. Other times it feels like it’s washing over me. Dolby Atmos is taking music to a whole new level. I feel it as much as I hear it. And I can’t wait to release a few of these songs for everyone to hear in this exciting new format.
Crazy thing that happened in your music career: I won a competition and got to perform several of my original songs in front of more than 40,000 people.
Other things you like to do: I’m very much a homebody and love spending any free time I have with my fiancé and our two pups Lucy (the Beagle) and Ranger (the Shepherd).
3 Fun facts:
1.My beagle Lucy Jo is an adorable singing country dog! She throws her head back and howls along with my music when I ask her to sing with me (and sometimes when I don’t want her to – lol)!
2. I am the Christmas cheer-meister!! I go all-out for the holidays and put up SO many decorations and lights that I think you can probably see my house from space.
3. I love to hide and then jump out of places and scare the crap out of people (friends, bandmates, strangers – lol)! I get a real kick out of it.
Mantra: “Oh well – at least I tried!”
Ashley on Stage
- Harvard General Pub – 1/28/2022
- Harvard General Pub – 1/29/2022
- *Newburyport Brewing Company – 2/4/2022
- Distraction Brewing Company – 2/11/2022
- Spire Center – 3/3/2022
- Stanzy’s Ranch – 3/4/2022
*these performances are part of our New England winter brewery tour “- “Ashley Jordan Music on Tap”
Ashley Online
Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing Kruser at [email protected]
