Check out our interview with country-pop singer-songwriter Ashlyn Marie who will be releasing this Friday (January 14th) her new single “Blind Horse Blues” produced by Brandon Manley (RVSHVD, Chase Matthews, David Morris).
Follow Ashlyn @ashlynmariemusic
Hi Ashlyn, please tell us a little about you?
I am a singer songwriter from Simpsonville, South Carolina. I am a Performing Arts major at Clemson University. I have 5 siblings and I’m the oldest! My siblings are my whole heart and they inspire me every single day.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Bubbly, Positive, and SPARKLY
How did you get started in the business?
I have been singing since I was a little girl. I started out singing in church and was leading worship in all of middle school and high school. I started singing at football and basketball games as well as pep rallies during my high school years. During my first year at Clemson I was asked to sing at the basketball games which later gave me the opportunity to sing for the NBA. I’ve been writing songs since I was in elementary school and would only show them to my best friends. I was pretty secretive about them up until quarantine hit. Blindhorse Blues was the first song I had the courage to show off and now it’s a REAL song!
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I grew up surrounded by music. Pretty much everyone in my family can sing or play an instrument. I grew up idolizing women like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and my all-time biggest inspiration, Miley Cyrus. It was pretty much a known thing that I was going to do music and could never see myself going down any other path.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
My Papa was (and still is) and Elvis impersonator, so growing up, I was able to watch him perform at shows all over our hometown and the beach. We would pack up his equipment in a trailer and I would sell tickets and have the best time. As I got older, I got to sing while he would change into his Elvis clothes. He had a huge impact on me as a musician. My Dad was also a musician and introduced me to all the best music. I was a huge Disney fan as a child and all I ever wanted to be was Hannah Montana. Her sound, her style, everything about her was just iconic. I still consider Miley to be my biggest inspiration.
Do you ever get nervous?
Totally! When I’m about to perform, I have to get into a certain zone. I pretty much shut out the entire world. As a child, I dissociated quite a bit. I would let my imagination take me to crazy places and pretended I was a famous rock star. That’s pretty much what I do onstage when my heart is beating out of my chest.
Tell us about your new single “Blind Horse Blues?”
Blind horse Blues is a pop record with a lot of country influence. I started writing it in January of 2021 after a weekend at the Blind Horse Saloon in Greenville, South Carolina with some of my friends. The Blind Horse is pretty famous in my hometown. My mom went there back in the day and now I get to sing about her stomping grounds.
What’s the story behind the songs?
The hook of the song is “Friday, Saturday, Sunday Blindhorse Blues”, and it came to me out of nowhere. A lot of things inspired this song. I wasn’t even going through a break up at the time, but Olivia Rodrigo had just released “Driver’s License” and I was like- let’s write a break up song!
How was working with producer Brandon Manley?
Brandon is incredible! Not many people know that Brandon and I go way back. We grew up in the same church and went on youth trips together. I think that us coming from a similar background had a lot to do with how well we worked together. He saw my vision for the song and took it to levels I never even imagined. He’s a super down to earth guy and I loved working with him!
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I have 5 younger siblings. I’ve always said I loved them like they were my own children and it’s true. They’re a huge part of my life and I always want to make them proud of their big sister. I want them to know that they’re capable of making their dreams come true no matter how big or crazy they may sound! The most rewarding part of my work is hearing them play my songs or get excited about my music.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
My stepdad Bill has taught me my entire life about the power your mind holds. It took me a while to understand, but I have to thank him for my positive mindset. I believe that you can manifest yourself into your dream reality. Your thoughts become actions and your actions become who you are. I wake up every day and say positive affirmations to myself. I believe that self love is the key to making your dreams come true!
How would your best friend describe you?
I actually texted all of them and these are some of the things they said: kind, talented, resilient, headstrong, hilarious, and the epitome of an optimist.
What’s next for Ashlyn Marie for 2022?
After Blindhorse Blues, I have 3 unreleased singles that I’m STOKED to let everyone hear! I also plan to move to Nashville for the summer and continue making music while pursuing my BA in Performing Arts at Clemson University.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Sparkly, over-the-top, and always over-dressed.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Self love and doing whatever you want!
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Whitney Houston. I can not even imagine being able to pick the brain of an icon like her. She had one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard in my life and there will never be another Whitney.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I hope to be doing all the big things! Selling out arenas, performing for massive crowds, seeing my name in lights, you know the rest. But truthfully I am happiest writing songs and making music. As long as I have the ability to do that, I’ll be happy.
Favorite song? Why?
Whenever I’m sad or stressed I turn on “Daydream” by The Aces. This song lights a fire in my soul and just makes me want to dance around the room and forget about whatever made me sad in the first place.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think like all things there’s a good and bad side to it. Social media has given me a way to connect with people I never would’ve been able to without it. It can always be abused but I think for the most part it brings people together.
Where we can follow you?
@ashlynmariemusic on all platforms!
Quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it”
Movie: Sleepover
Tv Series: Hannah Montana, Nashville, Glee
Favorite Food: Number 2 no pickles with a coke and four chick-fil-a sauces
Travel Destination: DISNEY WORLD
Sports Team: Clemson Tigers baybeeeee
