Kassi Ashton. Photo: Robby Klein.
There’s something unmistakably raw and real about Kassi Ashton. Whether she’s opening her heart on stage or spinning stories in a writing room, Ashton isn’t here to just entertain—she’s here to connect. With today’s (April 25) release of the deluxe edition of her debut album Made From the Dirt: The Blooms, the Missouri-native singer-songwriter proves that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about truth, pain, joy and everything that blossoms in between.
The original version of the album introduced listeners to the textured layers of Ashton’s life and sound, but with The Blooms, she digs even deeper.
“If we’re going to talk about the root and the process,” Ashton explains to MusicRow, “Then we’re allowed to talk about the fruit of the labor. We’re allowed to talk about what comes at the end.”
Ashton’s rise hit a major turning point with the release of “Drive You Out of My Mind,” a standout track from the original project that became a fan favorite almost instantly.
“That was the first song ever that every night I went out, more and more people were singing,” she says, remembering her time on tour with Old Dominion. “It was wild to me. People stood up out of their chairs, dancing and singing the entire chorus. That was the first time I noticed a song make a difference in real time.”
The album as a whole felt like her first true introduction. Since September, Ashton has noticed a shift in how people connected with her work. It had become a full story that resonated on a deeper level.
Among the tracks that fans have gravitated to most deeply, “Called Crazy” has become another standout.
“When I sing it, still to this day—even if a girl’s never heard of me or never heard the song—by the hook, they’re screaming. ‘Never been called crazy by a man who hasn’t come back for more.’ That line just hits people. Every time.”
Other tracks like “The Straw,” a long-awaited release for Ashton’s die-hard fans, and the emotional centerpiece “Made From the Dirt” have also sparked powerful, personal reactions. Ashton expresses how the latter garners the most DMs from fans, reflecting how the song has influenced their life and how that has fulfilled her songwriter dreams.
When it comes to her creative process, Ashton keeps it grounded in the real world, drawing from her own life, whether its things she says, hears or experiences. Her car is the spot where she comes up with a lot of melodies and lyrics, often bringing along a voice memo of the new ideas into writing rooms.
Among her frequent collaborators are respected names like Luke Laird, Oscar Charles, Jason Nix and Natalie Hemby. And it’s this collaborative energy that helped shape not just Made From the Dirt but its newly expanded deluxe edition.
Ashton says the deluxe edition wasn’t an afterthought, it was always part of the vision.
“The original album wasn’t supposed to be 10 songs. It was supposed to be 13,” she explains. “We cut and sequenced 13 songs, but I had to leave some off. The Blooms brings those songs back and fills out the story. It’s not the extra picture, it’s the full picture.”
Among the new tracks is the Parker McCollum duet “Sounds Like Something I’d Say,” which has already garnered a lot of fan attention through its previous release. Ashton wrote the song seven years ago, originally not as a duet. After hearing McCollum singing the tune backstage at the Ryman Auditorium randomly one day, Ashton learned his publisher had sent him the track.Then at last year’s CRS, McCollum sang the song again, and kept asking why Ashton had not cut it yet.
“I told him, ‘because the album isn’t out yet. Give me a minute,’” she says with a laugh, recalling their interaction. “I said to him ‘if you love it so much, why don’t you cut it with me?’ So, he was like ‘okay let’s do it.’ And then it really sealed the deal.” It was then after Ashton opened up for McCollum at Red Rocks where the two discovered how well they sang together while singing McCollum’s “Burn It Down” that Ashton re-wrote part of the second verse for in order to be a duet.
Also on the new release is the nostalgic, universally relatable tune “All Over You,” which Ashton calls the sister song to her “I Don’t Go Back.” Ashton captures the magic of the tune sounding good anywhere, whether that be in a car or a field, daytime or nighttime—just that classically good feeling.
“Ride or Die Radio” was originally inspired by a rejected radio station name, but took an a deeper meaning in the writers’ room when Ashton began conceptualizing the “play listing” of her life.
“That’s what I am, in a way. I’m an artist, I’m a songwriter, but I’m play listing my own song. I’m trying to be the DJ to their life or to their mood or their situation, and I adore that song. It feels like the same lane as the title track.”
The powerful “When I’m Gone” was born from a lighter engraving Ashton saw one day on Pinterest, which said, “When I die, bury me upside down so my haters can kiss my ass.” Ashton immediately fell in love with the idea, and wrote the sentimental, freeing track. She has been playing it at shows for two years now, and has already seen the connection it is bringing to her fans.
Perhaps the most personal and vulnerable of the deluxe tracks comes from “Bar Fight,” a song about mental health, but in Ashton’s own terms.
“It’s about mental health, but not in the ‘I’m sad’ way people expect,” she shares. “My head isn’t just dark, it’s chaotic. It’s a bar fight. Glass on the floor, rage in the room. It’s messy, and it’s real.”
With this new release, Ashton is hopeful for listeners to feel even more connected, to her and to themselves.
“I want people to hear this and go, ‘We got her, but now we really get her.’ And maybe through that, they get themselves a little more too. Every song is a bridge to the next place.”
With grit, grace and a voice that’s unmistakably her own, Ashton is proving that what’s made from the dirt can bloom beautifully.
Red Bull Announces 2025 Red Bull Jukebox Songwriting Competition
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Natalie Somekh
Red Bull is currently accepting submissions for its 2025 Red Bull Jukebox Songwriting Competition. Songwriters can submit their original music now through July 1 for a chance to be judged by a powerhouse panel including multi-Platinum singer, songwriter and 2024 Red Bull Jukebox Alum Breland, Whiskey Jam’s Ward Guenther and Red Bull Records executive Greg Hammer. The top three finalists will score a trip to Nashville, with the ultimate winner unveiled live during the next Red Bull Jukebox event — earning an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles, a coveted recording session at Red Bull Recording Studios and a one-on-one coaching session with BMI.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve been lucky to work with incredibly talented songwriters across multiple genres,” says Hammer, Managing Director of Red Bull Records. “What sets the best songwriters apart from the rest is their ability to be authentic storytellers with a unique perspective. They think less about trends and more about sharing a real connection with their audience. I’ll carry that criteria into the competition and I’m excited to help discover the next great hitmaker.”
Last October, Red Bull hosted the inaugural Red Bull Jukebox showcase at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville with performances by Brothers Osborne, Shaboozey, Priscilla Block, Tucker Wetmore, Muscadine Bloodline, Breland, The Castellows and surprise guests including Mickey Guyton and The Fisk Jubilee Singers. Singer-songwriter Gary Frost was chosen as the 2024 songwriting competition winner.
Steve Earle Invited To Become Grand Ole Opry Member
/by Lorie HollabaughVince Gill invites Steve Earle to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
Steve Earle was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry family over the weekend by longtime friend and Opry member Vince Gill.
Gill took the stage after Earle’s performance of “Copperhead Road,” presenting Earle with a personalized guitar strap created in celebration of the Opry’s 100th. “You have to be an Opry member to have one of these,” Gill said. “We want to invite you to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
“This is kind of the biggest thing that has ever happened to me in my life,” said Earle, who was clearly moved. Earle then obliged Gill’s request for another song on the hallowed stage, “Hillbilly Highway.”
An Academy Award winner and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member, Earle has been called one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the past 30 years. His songs have been covered by artists including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Patty Loveless, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and more. Earle’s 1988 hit “Copperhead Road” was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023. His most recent album, Jerry Jeff (2022) consisted of Earle’s versions of songs written by Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his mentors.
Earle has also published two books, a novel I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive in 2011, and Dog House Roses, a collection of short stories in 2003. As an actor, he has appeared in several films and had recurring roles in the HBO series The Wire and Tremé. In 2017, Earle wrote music for and appeared in Coal Country, for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. In 2020, Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also the host of the weekly show Hard Core Troubadour on SiriusXM Radio’s Outlaw Country channel.
Earle is the first artist invited to join the Opry in its special 100th year, and will officially be inducted later this year.
NASCAR Teams Up With Eric Church & John Fogerty For New Anthem
/by Lauryn SinkNASCAR on Prime has teamed up with Eric Church and John Fogerty to create its new anthem, a reimagined version of Fogerty’s iconic hit “Up Around The Bend.” The full song will premiere May 25, leading into Prime Video’s NASCAR Cup Series debut at Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The new anthem, and a reimagined solo version of the same track by Church, will both be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Music beginning Sunday, May 25. A preview video featuring analysts Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte, along with Cup Series Star Chase Elliott, is out now.
“Working with both Eric Church – an incredible artist who is a genuine NASCAR fan – and the legendary John Fogerty to put a fresh spin on his iconic hit gives our coverage a distinctive sound that matches the energy of the sport,” says Stacey Rosenson, Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Prime Video. “Incorporating the anthem into our new commercial featuring the legendary duo of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte, alongside current Cup Series star Chase Elliott, taps into the heartbeat of NASCAR and highlights our commitment to delivering a unique, fun, and exciting viewing experience for fans.”
The campaign comes just ahead of the May 2 release of Church’s highly anticipated album, Evangeline vs. The Machine. Fogerty, the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, is currently touring in celebration of his upcoming 80th birthday.
Starting on Sunday, May 25 with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Prime Video will exclusively stream five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races to conclude the first half of the season. In addition, Prime Video will present exclusive coverage of practice and qualifying for almost the entire first half of the NASCAR season.
Ella Langley & Zach Top To Perform At ACM Awards Following New Female & Male Artist of the Year Wins
/by Lorie HollabaughElla Langley & Zach Top.
Ella Langley and Zach Top are set to perform at next week’s 60th ACM Awards on May 8 following their wins for ACM New Female Artist of the Year and ACM New Male Artist of the Year.
Langley, the top nominee at the upcoming ACMs, was surprised with her ACM New Female Artist of the Year Award on Friday afternoon (Apr. 25) while on stage at Rock The Country in Knoxville, Tennessee. The news was broken to Langley through a special video from the most winning artist in ACM history, Miranda Lambert, congratulating Langley for winning her first ACM.
Langley’s win arrives after the release of her debut album, Hungover, which features her massive hit single, “You Look Like You Love Me,” featuring Riley Green. The track marked her Billboard Hot 100 debut, earned Langley her first No. 1 single and made her the first of only two female artists to lead the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2024. Langley received the most nominations at the ACM Awards this year with eight nods, including New Female Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and six nominations for “You Look Like You Love Me” including Single of the Year, Song of the Year (as an artist and songwriter), Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (as an artist and director).
“Every day of my life, I’ve just prayed about this and thought about it, and literally everything I’ve ever done was to be able to do this. I’m so grateful for the team I have around me,” shared Langley. “I’m just really grateful to have fans that are listening to the music and see that it is truth and I’m just a real life human being going through life like the rest of everyone else, and to see the things that I go through is something that everyone else goes through.”
Top, who is also nominated for ACM Album of the Year for his debut album Cold Beer & Country Music, was surprised with his ACM Male Artist of the Year Award on Thursday night (Apr. 24) prior to his sold-out show in Wilmington, North Carolina. The news was revealed to Top by the the most winning Duo in ACM history, Brooks & Dunn, through a special congratulations video as well.
“I couldn’t be more honored, and I can’t say a big enough thank you to my fans for loving music and loving what we do on the road and listening to the songs every day,” Top shared. “It means the world to me, I’ve always wanted to just play and sing for a living, and I get to do that now and it’s cool to be able to get a little trophy every now and then to let us know that we’re doing good doing it. So thank you so much, this is beautiful.”
Top’s win comes after the success of his debut album, which garnered more than 3.5 million streams in its first week. His sold-out “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” included stops at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, New York’s Terminal 5 and Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway, and he is also supporting select dates on Alan Jackson’s “Last Call Tour” this year and will join Dierks Bentley’s “Broken Branches Tour,” kicking off next month.
Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on May 8 at 7 p.m. CT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Leslie Fram Launches FEMco
/by Madison HahnenLeslie Fram
Music industry veteran and award-winning artist advocate Leslie Fram has established her new business venture, FEMco (Fram Entertainment & Music). The new company will serve as a consulting collective in artist development, talent booking & production and B2B connection within Nashville’s entertainment world, spearheaded by Fram in all areas.
Over the course of her 30+ year career, Fram has garnered experience in rock radio, pop and country music, talent development and executive leadership. Fram will bring her intuition for nurturing artists, offering mentorship and staying culturally connected to FEMco’s strategic development approach. FEMco will intentionally keep its artist consulting roster small to cultivate deep, impactful relationships that support artists in reaching their goals at every stage of their careers.
Fram most recently served as SVP of Music and Talent at CMT/Paramount for 13 years. While there, she executive-produced the CMT Music Awards, booked talent for CMT Crossroads, Storytellers and more and served as Talent Producer for Ringo & Friends At The Ryman. She also established CMT’s Next Women of Country program in 2013, and oversaw CMT’s Equal Play Program.
“I’ve always wanted to start my own company, one that was intentionally designed as a purpose-driven business that aligns with my personal and professional aspirations,” shares Fram. “Through my time in radio and television I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge, skills and insights from various roles, industries and projects that are not just a collection of past events but a foundation for this very kind of endeavor.”
“FEMco will allow me to focus on the parts of the business that have always brought me the most joy – advising and mentoring artists both male and female, booking and producing talent for a variety of entertainment platforms, creating connections between businesses and creatives, and championing women and underrepresented groups in country music,” she continues. “FEMco is the culmination of everything I’ve learned throughout my career and I’m honored and grateful to be able to give back and support a community that has given so much to me.”
FEMco will also offer a range of opportunities for female artists to grow their visibility and audience through events, sponsorships and more through its music-centric production division, FEMco Presents. Its first franchise, FEMcountry, builds on Fram’s legacy of developing acclaimed initiatives and showcases her ongoing commitment to amplifying female voices in country music. FEMcountry debuted last month at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Georgia and at Live In The Vineyard Goes Country in Napa, with additional events to be announced. FEMco Presents will soon branch into other genres with the launch of FEMpop and FEMrock.
For more information on FEMco, click here. To inquire about services, email info@hellofemco.com.
Robert Randolph, Darrell Scott, Amanda Shires Among First Round Of AmericanaFest Artists Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Americana Music Association has announced the first round of showcases for AmericanaFest, set for Sept. 9-13 in Nashville.
Among the myriad of artists set to appear are Robert Randolph, Darrell Scott, Amanda Shires, Kashus Culpepper, Rosie Flores, Anna Vaus and many more.
AmericanaFest Festival Passes, which allow admission into evening showcase venues and select sanctioned special events, are $125 and are available online here. 2025 Silver Passes currently on sale for $549 ($399 for Americana Music Association members) provide first access to RSVP events, priority admission to official evening showcases and access to the daytime educational conference, plus sanctioned special events. Silver Passes can be purchased here.
Also presented in partnership with AmericanaFest, will be a separately ticketed show with The Secret Sisters and Maggie Rose at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with the Nashville Symphony on Sept. 9. Tickets can be purchased here.
Dwight Yoakam will bring his “The Cosmic Roundup & Rodeo Tour” to Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 9 for a headlining show with special guests Shooter Jennings and The Werewolves of Los Angeles + Ben Haggard. Tickets can be purchased here.
AmericanaFest Partner Events are separately ticketed, with a portion of proceeds from each ticket sold being donated to the Americana Music Association.
MCA Consolidates Radio Promotion Departments
/by LB CantrellThe Music Corporation of America (MCA), which announced its relaunch from Universal Music Group Nashville earlier this week, has consolidated its radio promotion departments into two teams.
With both teams remaining under the leadership of Damon Moberly, SVP of Promotion, the EMI Records Nashville and Mercury Nashville rosters will now be serviced by Jimmy Rector and his team, and the Capitol Records Nashville and MCA Nashville rosters will be overseen by Miranda McDonald and her team.
VP of Promotion & Strategy David Friedman, Director of Promotion Katie Bright and Director of Radio Marketing Houston Gaither will work under the umbrella of MCA.
The Capitol/MCA team will include Donna Jo Passuntino, Annie Sandor, Shannon Hogan, Ashley Knight, Katelyn Lester, Megan Youngblood and Kenzie Couch. The EMI/Mercury team will be comprised of Jack Christopher, Trudie Daniell, Summer Harlow, John Trapane, Briarman Whitfield and Joslyn Richardson.
Capitol VP/Promotion Chris Schuler will transition to a yet-to-be-defined role.
Radio staffers Nick Kaper, Mara Sidweber, Mike Krinik, Sally Green, Jill Brunett, Sean Dolan and Christopher Raphael-Reily have exited the label.
K-Love Fan Awards Announces Weekend Performance Lineups
/by Lauryn SinkK-Love has announced the lineups of its weekend events leading up to the 12th annual fan awards on May 25 at The Opry House in Nashville.
The Friday night kick-off concert on May 23 will be headlined by Tauren Wells and also feature Jordan Feliz, Seph Schlueter and Terrian. Saturday morning’s Worship In The Round event will showcase Josh Baldwin, Hope Darst, Benjamin William Hastings, Patrick Mayberry and Jon Reddick.
The annual Emerging Artist Showcase will take place Saturday afternoon, hosted by Andrew Ripp and featuring Bodie, Leanna Crawford, Jamie MacDonald and Megan Woods. Brandon Heath will host the Songwriter’s Showcase and be joined by Colton Dixon, Ben Fuller, Danny Gokey and Katy Nichole.
Sunday morning, CeCe Winans will lead the Morning Worship Service, along with pastor Jonathan (JP) Pokluda.
As previously announced, the weekend will conclude as Jeremy Camp, Bart Millard, Mac Powell and Matthew West host the 12th annual K-Love Fan Awards. TBN will air the show on Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m. (CST). Tickets for the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards Weekend are on sale with travel packages still available here.
Charles Kelley Set To Release New Solo Album, ‘Songs For A New Moon’
/by Lauryn SinkCharles Kelley is set to release his newest solo record, Songs For A New Moon, on June 25. Produced mainly by Sam Ellis and Lindsay Rimes, the 16-song project celebrates an age of renewed possibility and fresh perspective, both musically and in life, for Kelley, the co-lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning trio Lady A.
“I’ve always loved really well-written, great ‘80s pop, from Toto to Ambrosia, and I always just felt like no one gave it enough credit,” Kelley explains. “This is me wanting to explore a different sound and pull from influences I’ve had for the longest time – but I didn’t want to make an ‘80s sounding record, and then throw a bunch of country ‘insurance’ on it. I almost feel like that would be an insult to the listener… I wanted to go all-in.”
Alongside the announcement, Kelley has released “Run” and “Driving And Listening To Music.” The previously-released “Can’t Lose You” made its radio debut, charting at No. 26 on the Adult Contemporary radio charts.
“This is about as honest as I can be in my music, and I’m super proud and just grateful. I’ve been in a really positive life-is-good headspace, and I want to soak it up. I want to take this second chance and self discovery and stop being afraid,” Kelly admits. “A little bit of that unknown is what makes life fun – it’s scary, but good scary.”
Songs For A New Moon Track List:
1. “Can’t Lose You” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Michael Whitworth, Josh Kear)*
2. “Covering My Tracks” (Sam Ellis, Meg Mcree, Benjy Davis, Charles Kelley)~
3. “Take Back Goodbye” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Josh Kear)*
4. “Run” (Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland, Charles Kelley)~
5. “Can’t Be Alone Tonight” (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Jon Green)~
6. “Here With Me” (Brandon Flowers, Fran Healy, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci)~
7. “Angel Eyes” (Sam Ellis, Micah Premnath, Charles Kelley)~
8. “How Gone” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Michael Whitworth, Josh Kear)*
9. “Lost And The Lonely” (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Joybeth Taylor, Thomas Archer)~
10. “Never Let You Go” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Michael Whitworth, Josh Kear)*
11. “Full Time Fool” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Josh Kear)*
12. “Photograph” (Charles Kelley, Lindsay Rimes, Michael Whitworth, Josh Kear)*
13. “Kiss Thing Thing Goodbye” (Charles Kelley, Josh Kear, Mark Holman)#
14. “Driving And Listening To Music” (Charles Kelley, Adam Doleac, Devin Dawson, Brad Tursi, Jordan Schmidt)+
15. “Time After Time” (Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman)~
16. “Look What We Did” (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Laura Veltz)~
* Produced by Lindsay Rimes
~ Produced by Sam Ellis
# Produced by Nathan Chapman
+ Produced by Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt
Kassi Ashton Explores Growth, Grit & ‘The Blooms’ Through Deluxe Album Release [Interview]
/by Madison HahnenKassi Ashton. Photo: Robby Klein.
There’s something unmistakably raw and real about Kassi Ashton. Whether she’s opening her heart on stage or spinning stories in a writing room, Ashton isn’t here to just entertain—she’s here to connect. With today’s (April 25) release of the deluxe edition of her debut album Made From the Dirt: The Blooms, the Missouri-native singer-songwriter proves that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about truth, pain, joy and everything that blossoms in between.
The original version of the album introduced listeners to the textured layers of Ashton’s life and sound, but with The Blooms, she digs even deeper.
“If we’re going to talk about the root and the process,” Ashton explains to MusicRow, “Then we’re allowed to talk about the fruit of the labor. We’re allowed to talk about what comes at the end.”
Ashton’s rise hit a major turning point with the release of “Drive You Out of My Mind,” a standout track from the original project that became a fan favorite almost instantly.
“That was the first song ever that every night I went out, more and more people were singing,” she says, remembering her time on tour with Old Dominion. “It was wild to me. People stood up out of their chairs, dancing and singing the entire chorus. That was the first time I noticed a song make a difference in real time.”
The album as a whole felt like her first true introduction. Since September, Ashton has noticed a shift in how people connected with her work. It had become a full story that resonated on a deeper level.
Among the tracks that fans have gravitated to most deeply, “Called Crazy” has become another standout.
“When I sing it, still to this day—even if a girl’s never heard of me or never heard the song—by the hook, they’re screaming. ‘Never been called crazy by a man who hasn’t come back for more.’ That line just hits people. Every time.”
Other tracks like “The Straw,” a long-awaited release for Ashton’s die-hard fans, and the emotional centerpiece “Made From the Dirt” have also sparked powerful, personal reactions. Ashton expresses how the latter garners the most DMs from fans, reflecting how the song has influenced their life and how that has fulfilled her songwriter dreams.
When it comes to her creative process, Ashton keeps it grounded in the real world, drawing from her own life, whether its things she says, hears or experiences. Her car is the spot where she comes up with a lot of melodies and lyrics, often bringing along a voice memo of the new ideas into writing rooms.
Among her frequent collaborators are respected names like Luke Laird, Oscar Charles, Jason Nix and Natalie Hemby. And it’s this collaborative energy that helped shape not just Made From the Dirt but its newly expanded deluxe edition.
Ashton says the deluxe edition wasn’t an afterthought, it was always part of the vision.
“The original album wasn’t supposed to be 10 songs. It was supposed to be 13,” she explains. “We cut and sequenced 13 songs, but I had to leave some off. The Blooms brings those songs back and fills out the story. It’s not the extra picture, it’s the full picture.”
Among the new tracks is the Parker McCollum duet “Sounds Like Something I’d Say,” which has already garnered a lot of fan attention through its previous release. Ashton wrote the song seven years ago, originally not as a duet. After hearing McCollum singing the tune backstage at the Ryman Auditorium randomly one day, Ashton learned his publisher had sent him the track.Then at last year’s CRS, McCollum sang the song again, and kept asking why Ashton had not cut it yet.
“I told him, ‘because the album isn’t out yet. Give me a minute,’” she says with a laugh, recalling their interaction. “I said to him ‘if you love it so much, why don’t you cut it with me?’ So, he was like ‘okay let’s do it.’ And then it really sealed the deal.” It was then after Ashton opened up for McCollum at Red Rocks where the two discovered how well they sang together while singing McCollum’s “Burn It Down” that Ashton re-wrote part of the second verse for in order to be a duet.
Also on the new release is the nostalgic, universally relatable tune “All Over You,” which Ashton calls the sister song to her “I Don’t Go Back.” Ashton captures the magic of the tune sounding good anywhere, whether that be in a car or a field, daytime or nighttime—just that classically good feeling.
“Ride or Die Radio” was originally inspired by a rejected radio station name, but took an a deeper meaning in the writers’ room when Ashton began conceptualizing the “play listing” of her life.
“That’s what I am, in a way. I’m an artist, I’m a songwriter, but I’m play listing my own song. I’m trying to be the DJ to their life or to their mood or their situation, and I adore that song. It feels like the same lane as the title track.”
The powerful “When I’m Gone” was born from a lighter engraving Ashton saw one day on Pinterest, which said, “When I die, bury me upside down so my haters can kiss my ass.” Ashton immediately fell in love with the idea, and wrote the sentimental, freeing track. She has been playing it at shows for two years now, and has already seen the connection it is bringing to her fans.
Perhaps the most personal and vulnerable of the deluxe tracks comes from “Bar Fight,” a song about mental health, but in Ashton’s own terms.
“It’s about mental health, but not in the ‘I’m sad’ way people expect,” she shares. “My head isn’t just dark, it’s chaotic. It’s a bar fight. Glass on the floor, rage in the room. It’s messy, and it’s real.”
With this new release, Ashton is hopeful for listeners to feel even more connected, to her and to themselves.
“I want people to hear this and go, ‘We got her, but now we really get her.’ And maybe through that, they get themselves a little more too. Every song is a bridge to the next place.”
With grit, grace and a voice that’s unmistakably her own, Ashton is proving that what’s made from the dirt can bloom beautifully.