Ashley Thomas

Ashley Thomas may be many things—but one thing she’s not is shy. A California girl with the soul of a strong Southern woman, she’s independent-minded and romantic at heart.



Growing up in Texas and California, Ashley first showed her explosive vocal talent in church and children’s theater. While idolizing strong vocalists like Reba, Dolly, and Martina, she also found strong inspiration in the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin and the sexy, rock ‘n roll angst of The Rolling Stones.



It wasn’t until she won a place as a semifinalist on American Idol that Ashley decided to seriously pursue a career in music. “Being on the show was a great learning experience that taught me how much I wanted to be true to myself as an artist and write my own songs. It made me realize that I have something to sing about.”



After Idol, Ashley began songwriting while assembling a band and touring, both regionally and abroad. One of the most memorable trips for her was a USO tour that took her to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan. “I have performed for the most challenging audiences—from 30 million people on live TV to the hard-to-impress industry crowds in Nashville, but the most rewarding experience was playing for the troops. I’ve never had a more appreciative audience.” As she continued to hone her dynamic live act, Ashley worked even harder on her songwriting, knowing how vital that could be for her career. “I knew that in order to grow, I needed to immerse myself in an environment with the best songwriters out there, so I made the move to Nashville with no regrets.”



In many ways, the move to Nashville felt like coming home for Ashley. “When I was a child, Orange County was a major farming area with beautiful green groves as far as the eye could see. I remember feeling so sad as the years went by, watching the orange trees coming down and the strip malls going up. The rolling green hills of Nashville offered me a breath of fresh air. Everyone was so friendly. I remember how surprised I was the first time a stranger offered me directions to Music Row. Both my parents are Southern and very welcoming, and that’s how I was raised. I feel so much like I belong in Nashville.”



In Music City, Ashley’s strong will and fiery independent spirit served her well. She began finding co-writers, meeting publishers and playing writers nights. She put together a new band and booked her own gigs at local venues while working day jobs to finance her dream. Ashley’s debut EP, which she recorded with producer/engineer Chad Carlson at Sound Emporium and Sony/Tree studios, is set for an early 2010 release. Encompassing contemporary and traditional country with flavors of rock and soul, the project represents all sides of her artistry, as well as her emergence as a skilled songwriter.



Ashley’s writing often reflects her personal experiences she explains, “like the divorce of my parents, a time that really shook my faith in love.” Those years can be heard in her sassy scorcher “On Your Way Out” and the feisty post-break-up rant “It’s Not Me,” Ashley reflects, “I’ve done a lot of healing and now I’m focusing on drawing from other areas in my life.” Listening to her emotional ballads “The Only One Lyin’ Here” and “Mama Never Warned Me” you can hear her journey out of pain, while “Both of Me,” the title track for her EP, pays tribute to Ashley’s multi-faceted personality.



Perhaps the song most special to Ashley is “Year of No Regret,” a promise to herself to make the most of her music career and her life. “I went straight into a corporate job after college, I blinked my eyes and a year had passed. I found myself living behind my desk job, with no time to be creative. It was like letting my dream slip through my hands.” Ashley paints the story with lyrics like “I don’t have the answers, but I know why I’m here / to expect the unexpected and live without fear.”



This is Ashley’s year of no regret. With a debut EP, a great band and more live shows, Ashley is aggressively pursuing her dream—and yes, she has quit her day job.