We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Ashley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I released a single titled “Ozarks” last year, and I believe that to currently be my most meaningful project. I think our hometowns are so special and I’m a little biased with mine in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri. The inspiration from the song came from a magical moment while I was riding my horse Lil’ Bit. We were doing a little exploring in the middle of nowhere, when I started to hear a banjo (that was the last thing I was expecting). I was so darn curious I just “had” to follow the sound. My horse and I finally came upon a scene that I can only describe as “hillbilly magic”. There was a couple just a stones throw from the river we were standing at that were performing barefoot around a small fire. The man was playing a banjo, and his wife was playing the fiddle. The music was so beautiful and it echoed the history of our Ozark roots. I was enthralled by such a moment that it inspired me to pen “Ozarks”. In addition to that special moment with my horse, we shot the music video around the area we first stumbled on that beautiful music. But this was the last project I was able to do with my horse before she passed from old age. I am so grateful for the time we had together and I was so glad I got to share her with the world for this song.

Laura, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello there! My name is Laura Ashley, I am a singer/songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. I grew up in the Ozarks in a rural household. I actually used to ride my horse to work and I will cherish those memories forever! I always loved country music but the only voice lessons available to take in that area was classical training. I continued with classical music even into college where I was studying Opera. I finally reached a certain point within my first year of rigorous operatic training that I had experienced enough of the classical genre. I had been ignoring a voice inside of me that wanted to tell my own story and share my love of country living. I decided to take an uncomfortable leap and dive into country music. I had no idea how to do literally anything in the industry so it took a little bit of time to get established and figure out what I was doing. I bid opera farewell, though I was grateful for the many things it taught me. I began playing shows around Missouri and was hired as an On-Air Personality for a well known country radio station in the area. I was loving being so immersed in music. Eventually I felt that pull to go to Nashville and I answered that part of my heart leading me there in 2020. I am excited to be working on several new things this year in 2025 and I cannot wait to share! My biggest joy from creating music is relating to people who have been through similar experiences and if they find joy in my music, that’s when I’m over the moon!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I have a shy streak of my personality that hates “bothering” people. So networking has been a challenge for me because I don’t want people to think the only reason I’m nice to someone is because I want something from them. That is not what I’m about at all! However, I do wish a previous mindset of mine would be “do it scared” instead of waiting till I was more familiar or comfortable with a networking situation. I believe exploring your own personality and venturing outside your own comfort zone is really just as rewarding as reaching any goal itself.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I initially switched to country from Opera, I had the scales tipped heavily on the classical side of things as far as my experience went. The country music industry is a whole new animal compared to the classical world. It felt like I was a fish out of water for a while. My voice had been trained classically so I really had to work on using my vocal cords in a whole new way. It took a lot of patience to slide fully into my new role. I had to “unlearn” some of my classical habits to make room for a new kind of expression and growth. I think it’s a great reminder to let yourself be imperfect when learning something new. Giving yourself permission to not get it all correct in the beginning is a necessary grace that will let you flourish later on!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lauraashleymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleymusic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraAshleyCountry/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoNFG9-Dab67_4fFCPCwqfQ

Image Credits

Anthony Romano
Jessica Yates
Shayne Jacopian