We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Honestly, the most meaningful projects I ever worked is I worked on two albums with two different artists (Rob Cobain & Goyard Gotti). When I first met both of them, we just got straight to work and we have grown a closer bond. Past couple of years we just kept on working on music. The more we been working on music, the more closer we got as great friendship. Their music speaks values of love, honesty, loyalty and friendship. Their albums gave us great connection with each other.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ashley Nichole Johnson. I was born at Charleston, SC and I was raised in Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. I am 25 years old. I am diagnosed with autism. I am a singer, songwriter, producer, recording engineer, mix engineer, & sound engineer. I have a studio business called AJAYYY Studio Production LLC.

I started singing and songwriting when I was 11 years old. My very first song I wrote ever is a gospel song. The name of the gospel song is called “For All The Pain”. I was actually very sad that day, can’t remember why though. I was just every emotional that day and I starting singing and writing. Since then, I started writing more music and started singing more. I started playing piano at age 11 as well. When I got into middle school, I started to play the trombone all the way to high school and a little bit of college.

When I went to Full Sail University on 2015, I started to become an engineer. I went to Full Sail for Recording Arts as my major. I learned everything about recording, show production (sound engineering), mixing and mastering. I did had my struggles here and there, but I made it through. It was very tough, but I had great support from people who was there for me. I appreciate them so much.

I started the AJAYYY Studio Production LLC back in 2015. I didn’t put much effort into my business until after college on 2017 because I was so busy trying to focus on school and my craft at the moment. After college, I moved back to my hometown South Carolina to continue to work on my business. I started to work in the studio with my dad, then I branched out on my own. I end up buying more audio equipment for my studio and more artists started to come by to record with me. My business is still going strong and I love it so much. By the grace of God, I am very blessed and happy! I thank God everyday and night.

The services I do for my business is recording sessions, mobile sessions, songwriting, mixing, mastering, and music theory lessons. The DAW programs I use for my artists is Pro Tools and Logic Pro X to record, mix and master. All they have to do is make appointments with me with any of those services and then we get to work! Everything artists I have worked are very passionate with their work just like me. They all take their careers very seriously just like I do. I love that the most. That makes me so proud because it motivates me to continue to follow my dreams. I love being around people in general who’s willing to go for what they want in life and work hard for it.

One thing about me is, I am very particular of how I want my business to be done. Reason being is because I want to make sure that everything is great on not just on my end, but the artists end as well. I am very strict in a way because I care for my career and my artists. I want to make sure that we all succeed on everything that we do in life!

To the ones who build up a closer friendship with me through music…Demadre Hamilton (cousin), Danny Armstrong (best friend), Rob Cobain, Goyard Gotti, Dominque Maniqualt , Franny, Daniel Hershenson, Will “DubbSlimm”, Charles Miller, Georgia Nubia, Justin Gonzalez, Latrell Singleton & my dad Sean Dolby. Thank you. Some of you been like my mentor and some have been working with me as an artists, producer, or engineer for a long time. One thing in common with every last one of you is you guys never wanted me to give up. You all believed in me. So thank you and God bless you.

To my wonderful family and friends, can’t mention all so many, thank you as well! God bless you to those who have also been by my side. You guys never wanted me to give up either. Thank you.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The way I built my audience on social media is showing my craft on social media, while I am being myself. I am so fun and outgoing but when it comes to my business, I am on work mode. They see that on social media and they love it! I show my craft by doing tutorials and once again…being myself. My advice for those who are just starting to build the social media presence is when you have a business, please you make sure you ONLY post anything about your business. Also, be careful what you post on social media. People talk….

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Honestly, as being an engineer, I wish they show us alot more credit like how they do with producers, rappers & singers. Hey…we put in some work too man!!!!! Show us love. Haha.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajayyystudioproductionllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJAYYYStudioPro
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-johnson-b05328247/