Ashley Monroe and Vince Gill (who produced Monroe’s upcoming album Like A Rose) gave a preview of the project for several industry members on Monday (Jan. 14) at Jim McGuire‘s photo studio in Nashville. McGuire has taken the portraits of numerous Nashville celebrities, including Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and numerous others.
Monroe’s manager John Grady (Crush Management) and Warner Music Nashville’s Peter Strickland hosted the event, welcoming Monroe and Gill to play all of the tracks from the upcoming album. Monroe (who is also part of the trio Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley) possesses a soulful, twang-drenched voice that easily draws comparisons to Lee Ann Womack and Dolly Parton, along with the knife-sharp songwriting that comes from someone who has been writing and singing for over half of her life. The camaraderie between the Knoxville native and her producer comes naturally; Monroe has been co-writing with Gill for over a decade, even before Monroe had a driver’s license.
They kicked off the evening with “Two Weeks Late,” a rollicking tune that showcases Monroe’s sharp wit. Another rocker, “Monroe Suede,” highlighted her ace storytelling skills. Gill offered high praise for the singer-songwriter throughout the evening, comparing the work on Like A Rose and Monroe’s traditional leanings in the midst of a rock-oriented country music landscape to that of Emmylou Harris. “Emmylou in a sense was that person. If you analyzed what country was doing in the ’70s, it wasn’t traditional,” said Gill. “She reclaimed some traditional spirit again in country music. I think this record of Ashley’s has the same opportunity. It’s honest.” Sharing a bit of advice he got from music publisher Fred Foster about producing an artist project, Gill added, “You have to go frame the picture.” And that’s exactly what Gill has done with this album.
Another highlight from the album is “Mornin’ After,” which Monroe penned when she was 17. The track features a vintage ‘tic tac’ bass doubling which sounds similar to a kickdrum. They followed the ballad with “Used,” a song Monroe penned after musing how many things, such as guitars, vintage clothing–and ultimately people–are better with some history behind them.
The title track, co-written with Guy Clark and Jon Randall, is a semi-autobiographical track detailing Monroe’s challenging teenage years, the loss of her father when she was 13, and her determination to rise above them. “You Got Me” features background vocals from Little Big Town and was co-written with LBT’s Karen Fairchild.
Like A Rose is slated for release March 5.
 

Music journalist and former recording industry executive Beverly Keel has been named the Chair of Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Recording Industry. Her role will be effective Aug. 1.
“I am honored to be named chair of the nation’s most prestigious recording industry program,” Keel said. “I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with the department’s talented and experienced faculty and staff who are dedicated to preparing students for the changing music industry environment. MTSU has played such an important role in my life, both as a student and professor, so it is extremely fulfilling to be able to work closely with students and give back to the university that has given me so much.”
Most recently, Keel was the Sr. VP of Media and Artist Relations at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she represented artists including Lionel Richie, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Jamey Johnson, Josh Turner, Kip Moore and others.
She spent 10 years as the Nashville correspondent for People magazine and served as the celebrity columnist at The Tennessean newspaper for two years, during which time she won the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. She was an editor of American Profile magazine and also served as editor of CMT Life.
Her work has appeared in InStyle, New York, Oxford American, Weekly Standard, Rolling Stone, USA Today, Country Music, New Country, Country Music Today and MusicRow magazines.
Keel earned her bachelor’s degree from MTSU and her master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.