Ashley Monroe Unveils Surprise Album ‘Dear Nashville’
Ashley Monroe has unveiled a surprise album, Dear Nashville, out now.
The eight-track concept record explores Monroe’s relationship with Nashville after nearly 25 years building a life and career in Music City. Monroe co-produced the project with Luke Laird, with whom she co-wrote each of the album’s tracks.
“The bottom line of the album,” Monroe says, “is I wish you loved me like I love you.”
“This album started with Ashley bringing the title, “I Hate Nashville,” to the room one day,” shares Laird. “The music is what brings most songwriters to this town – but when it comes to the business, that’s when people can get burned out. So Ashley and I talked that day about our love for country music, the songs and the people – we had such a good day talking about all of our favorite Nashville memories and what led us both here. I love how honest Ashley is in her writing and just how pure her singing is. She really is the triple threat: artist, songwriter, and producer. We had so much fun making this record. No rules… just what felt right.”
“I had a writing session on the books with Luke and I’d woken up that morning with a storm in my heart, like, ‘My gosh, have I done this all for nothing?’” Monroe adds. “When I got to Luke’s house that day, I knew I had to address my hurt feelings and get it out of my system. I told him the idea of ‘I Hate Nashville’ and he loved it. That song put everything into motion. We felt the window of all the muses open, and decided that I’m going to say what I feel and make it a whole project.”
Monroe will support Stephen Wilson Jr.’s “Gary The Torch Tour” through April.
Dear Nashville Tracklist:
1. “I Hate Nashville” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
2. “Gettin’ Out Of Hand” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
3. “What Are We?” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
4. “Steal” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
5. “Haunted” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
6. “Dreaming” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
7. “Having It Bad” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
8. “Quittin’” (Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe)
