Ashley Monroe Finally Delivers Her Promising Debut
Singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe has caught my attention. Her album, Satisfied, is a glimpse into the life of a heartbroken young woman who had to grow up too fast, dealing with the hardship of a broken family. After listening to the album, which is a blend of blues-filled lyrics, sensuality and a few just-for-fun tunes, you will find that Monroe has turned to her music for therapy.
This 22-year-old musician from Knoxville, Tenn., has been a cowboy's sweetheart since age 11 when she won a talent competition singing Patsy Montana's "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." By age 13, she lost her father to cancer, but Monroe and her mother continued on with Ashley's dream of becoming a country star and moved to Nashville. She signed with Columbia Records, but after two singles fizzled, the label shelved her 2007 album until its digital release two months ago.
Monroe dives into the unpredictable road of love in "Satisfied," which scrutinizes how we always want something we can't have and how what we really need may be right in front of us. Her maturity, clearly beyond her years, shines through as she sings of Hank Williams' tragic death in "Hank's Cadillac." Although the song suggests that she may have been able to help Hank take the stage again if she was in the back of the Cadillac he died in, the message behind the lyrics insinuates the difficulty in letting her own father go. It is Monroe's delicate and elegant voice that makes this song such a commanding asset to her album.
Despite reminiscing about her childhood, love and misfortune, Monroe has also included an upbeat country pop duet with Dwight Yoakam, "That's Why We Call Each Other Baby." With eloquent lyrics, a refreshing sound and such commanding vocals, this young country star sure seems promising.
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Redmaz says:
I’m liking some of Monroe’s music. Definately more of a Roots sound than Pop. I could see her being a force in Americana Music if she keeps her head on straight. Hank’s Cadillac is a killer tune, and the work she did with The Raconteurs, and Ricky Skaggs was good too. She reminds me of Womack( Lee Ann…not Tres!), both in looks and vocals. Which is a good thing.
carrietx says:
Hard to believe this album wasn’t released until now. “I Don’t Want To” with Ronnie Dunn singing backup is one of my favorite songs (video as well). Flat on the Floor, written by Ashley, is a huge hit for Carrie Underwood (read somewhere that they are writing together this year). Thanks for bringing her back into the spotlight, Alyssa. Good vocalist, super talented writer — deserves to make it big-time.
countryiscool says:
Thanks for reminding me what song she did, Carrietx. I knew the name & face were familiar. I remember liking the song- and video. It will be good to hear her new material.
solongsowrong says:
So did either of you check out her video with Ricky Skaggs and The Raconteurs when it was featured on these blogs?
Ken says:
I fell in love with her music when I found and downloaded in at Walmart.com over a year ago and have been listening to it since. Another one of my favorites that she did was “He ain’t comin back”. There is alot of very moving songs and I think the label made a mistake when they let her go. She also did some recording with a guy named Trent Dabbs that you may like as well with Ashley singing Laying Low & Gone. They are really great songs that are also available on I-tunes.
RRick says:
It just amazes me that all these new, smaller Nashville based labels that keep popping up skip over Ashley and sign new artists with far less talent and potential. Ashley would be a great label mate to Sunny Sweeney on Scott Borchetta’s new Republic Nashville label and instead they sign a hack act like Fast Ryde. Tsk tsk…
Ham says:
I’ve was happy with Satisfied way before the digital release and wish she could get this out through other channels.
tsk tsk is right. so many goobers in Nashvegas.
Danny says:
Have to disagree there. I’ve heard some of the Fast Ryde songs and they were amazing. More original than anything I’ve ever heard.
Mark says:
Ashley Monroe is opening for Jewel this month on her West Coast mini tour. I look forward to hearing her in person at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco on July 28th,2009 at 8:00 PM. In fact, I was able to get directed to this page via a link from Jeweljk on Twitter. Hopefully, this will get her a lot more exposure - and fans!
Eric says:
Agree with Danny. I’ve only heard a song or two from Fast Ryde, but those rock. Hack act lol?
Eric says:
Meant to say “those guys”
Warren says:
Ant’t no shame in yo game! Fast Ryde is the real deal!
stylee says:
fast ryde rocks!
Esther says:
I recently went to a Jewel concert, and Ashley Monroe was the opening act. Up until that point I had never heard of Ashley Monroe. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised, listening to her sing was a moving experience. Rarely does anything bring me to tears, hearing her sing had me wiping the tears away. There is so much feeling, pain, and sincerity in her voice and lyrics. I am a huge Jewel fan mostly because her voice is so pure and angelic, Ashley Monroe’s voice shares those same qualities. It was one of the best concert’s I’ve been to all year.