ARTIST PROFILE: Ashlie Amber opens up about the importance of music
Updated: Mar 19
Ashlie Amber
Las Vegas/Nashville
BIO:
There are artists who perform, but Ashlie Amber astonishes; effortlessly injecting country music with unapologetically vivid bravado, she’s shattering derivatives and demolishing partitions. Praised by Sounds Like Nashville as one of 2021’s artists to watch, Ashlie Amber is an enigma to some, but magnetic to all.
For Ashlie, dreams and goals are one and the same, and hers is to emerge as one of the first black females to ever dominate country’s Top 40 and beyond. Having already established a global fan base with her previous singles “Almost Love,” “My Revenge,” and “Fight With You,” 2021 poses to be Ashlie Amber’s fiercest year to date. With the unveiling of her February 26 single “Those Nights,” Ashlie Amber will celebrate the first self-penned release of her career, along with the launch of her publishing company Diva Music Group. At the pinnacle of her artistry, Ashlie Amber has founded the unconventional, unstoppable sub-genre Country Vogue; she is her music, and this is only the beginning.
We had the honor of asking Ashlie Amber a Few Questions
What got you into Music?
My father actually started my musical journey! I was riding in the back seat of our car, singing along to the radio when all of a sudden my dad turned it off. I was of course in my own world so I just kept singing. Then about 30 seconds later he turned the radio back on and I was in the same exact place as the song and still in the same KEY! He then looked in the rearview mirror and said, "did you know you can sing?" I said, "mmmhmmm" and from that moment you couldn't shut me up. I was singing anywhere and everywhere I could.
Who do you listen to for influence? Or Inspiration?
I listen to everybody! I consider myself an equal opportunity music listener. LOL, I think it's important to continue to expose yourself to new music in different genres as it keeps your ears fresh, so when it comes time to put my pen to paper I always have a fresh outlook. But to name a few I love Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce are always in rotation.
What have you been working on Lately?
What haven't I been working on! LOL Between creating content for my new single release, starting my own publishing company, preparing for music videos, interviews, podcasts, and writing new music; I have been staying really busy and I love it! My team and I have a TON of exciting things heading your way.
How's the Pandemic affected your Music?
As far as my music the pandemic has actually been amazing! I know that sounds crazy especially since I haven't been on stage in almost a year but the time really allowed me to focus on my branding, online presence, and the BIGGEST thing of all, it created the freedom to put my pen to paper and write. I wrote 14 songs in 14 days. Fun fact is my latest single coming out on Feb 26th is one of the 14 songs in 14 days that I wrote!
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? Tell us about it?
Oh wow, that's a tough question. I used to write a lot of hooks back in Colorado for all the local rappers. They actually called me the "Hook Queen" so it's hard to recall the very first thing that I wrote. I think that's why I am so excited about "Those Nights" because it was the first of 14 songs that I wrote. It's also the first song out of the several that we cut in the studio that was penned by me so it's only fitting that it's my first single release of 2021 and the first time my fans will get to hear, 100% of my own voice.
What have you been working Lately?
What haven't I been working on! LOL Between creating content for my new single release, starting my own publishing company, preparing for music videos, interviews, podcasts, and writing new music; I have been staying really busy and I love it! My team and I have a TON of exciting things heading your way.
How important was music to you growing up?
I don't remember my life without music. I have this really cute photo of me when I was little sitting on the floor next to the record player with headphones on and I have the biggest grin on my face while I'm listening to music. My parents LOVED music and my dad had quite the record collection so I always remember listening to music.
What's your average day like?
Lately, a lot of my days have been spent staring at a computer screen creating content, game planning with my manager, or answering questions for my amazing PR team. Beyond that my puppy wakes me up at about 7 am, then we have playtime, and then depending on the day I'll go to the gym, run errands, write, watch Netflix, and catch up with family and friends. But I would say that the majority of my time is spent doing anything I can to advance my career. I guess you can say I am a bit of a workaholic but I just love every side of what I do.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is EVERYTHING! If it wasn't for celebrating black voices during this time I would have never learned more beyond the basics of my own culture. Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood the education system didn't really go out of its way to celebrate black stories but because of the growth in popularity of celebrating black voices in February it got better and better over time and I learned things that I never knew. I am so proud to be a black woman and despite all things that have been put in place to hold back the black community we have always preserved and will continue to do so.
Who are some Black Musicians you idolized growing up?
Anyone who knows me knows that my all-time favorite singer is Whitney Houston. Not just because of her once in a lifetime voice but because of what she did for the black community within pop music. She showed the world that black women in fact CAN be icons and ARE a valuable commodity in the world of music.
What advice do you have for the young Black Musicians?
I would tell them to stay true to who they are. If you sing country then sing country. If you sing opera then sing opera. If you sing R&B then sing R&B! Don't let other people's opinions dictate your gifts that you want to share with the world. I would also encourage them to NOT sign any LONG term commitment contracts without having a lawyer look over them first. It is really important to at least understand any agreement that you're entering into.
Is there anything else that you want to share?