Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlie Amber.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I was born and raised in Thornton, Colorado. I’m one of four children and a twin. My brother and I are the babies of the family. My musical journey started when I was six just for fun which later changed with the tragic loss of my father when I was 12. Grief and heartache set in, so music and singing became my outlets. They were also my pathways back to a better place. Along the way, I discovered that singing was not just an outlet for my grief, it was my true passion and life calling.
In middle and high school, I performed everywhere from talent shows, football games and other live events while staying extremely active in sports, theatre, choir and academics. Once I graduated, I waited tables full-time and pursued my music on the side. I auditioned for American Idol multiple times, did some studio work, but I was having a hard time trying to find where I fit in this giant world of performing. Eventually, I met a woman who heard me sing to one of my tables at work one night and she said “girl, what are you doing waiting tables at TGIFridays?” It was that moment that set me on a path in a new direction and created the domino effect that has lead me to where I am today.
I started performing all over Denver in the Musical Theatre scene and gained recognition within the community. I was performing full time and able to became a part of the Actors’ Equity Association and landed some airtime on the 2012 Season of American Idol (Hollywood Week). From there, I was nominated for multiple Henry Awards (Denver’s version of the Tony’s) and played leading roles in musicals such as The Color Purple, Avenue Q, Pippin, and RENT just to name a few.
Little did I know, that was just the beginning. Other opportunities and amazing jobs were coming my way, so I decided to take the next step and create my very own headliner show with a breathtaking tribute and celebration of vocal legend Whitney Houston entitled, “I Will Always Love You.” To my surprise, my show quickly grew to be one of the most sought after acts on international waters. This allowed me an extended residency onboard the most innovative and highly acclaimed ship and cruise line in the world. The Celebrity Edge, a $1.2B vessel touring Europe and the Caribbean.
With my unique approach to the show, vocals and ratings, I was noticed by Country artist Don Gatlin. I remember meeting Don one night after my show. He waited until all the other guest had left and introduced himself. He started name dropping all of these legendary people in the industry and then said he would love to work with me. I responded with “I’ve always wanted to be the Beyonce of country!” and his response was “that’s a killer idea” and now the rest is history. I’m happy to say he is now my manager and opened the door to work on my own solo material. I’m currently collaborating with Grammy and Emmy award-winning Producer Jamie Tate of the famous Rukkus Room in Nashville creating my very first album in the country genre. My goal is to become one of the first Black Female Country Artists to have top 40 success and beyond! It’s crazy to think and might come as a surprise but it’s never been done. Many amazing black women have tried and have made huge dents, but for some reason that barrier has yet to be broken. I want to help pave the way for a new generation of artists with a new outlook on country music today.
I JUST released my very first single on Spotify and all other major music platforms, “Almost Love”. Again to my surprise, it is quickly rising to international recognition and I’m so excited to release my first full-length album later this year. So for those of you that are reading this make sure and stay tuned to my exciting endeavors this year and follow me at AshlieAmber.com, INSTAGRAM @ashlieamberofficial and TWITTER @ashlieamber for the most up to date information. I have nothing but big things planned and only the sky is the limit. I want people to join me on my journey and hope to inspire more people to take their life and personal journey into their own hands. Together we can break barriers, redefine labels, and consider worldwide success as only the beginning.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are a lot of challenges on this journey but as they say “I’m built Ford tough!” (I drive a jeep though lol) . I think the biggest obstacle will be convincing the record labels to believe in this movement just as much as I do. To help them understand change is coming and they need to be proactive about doing something about it. It’s one thing to say that we welcome all people, but another to sign them and then properly promote them so they have a fighting chance.
Country is considered a much more conservative genre of music that holds really firm to its core values, which I fully respect but I believe country listeners are ready. They want something new and fresh and different. Look at Kane Brown. Some would say he looks like a hip hop artist but when that boy opens his mouth it doesn’t get more country. You also have Darius Rucker, Jimmie Allen and Mickey Guyton who are all current black country artists having massive success.
Now I’m not trying to “change” country music. I’m simply singing a genre of music that I love, and that I grew up listening to. The rest of the music industry is so highly saturated with so many artist that look and sound similar. It’s harder to be groundbreaking and create music history. But within country music there’s an opportunity to make music history. History to be the FIRST black female to win Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female vocalist of the Year, hit top 40, then 30, then 20, then 10, then 5, then BAM! #1. This is so much bigger then just the music.
For this project, I’m using some of the top live session players in Nashville along with Nashville songwriters and producers. This is 100% country. From the orchestrations to the lyrics, down to the harmonies. The only real difference is that I am a full-figured, extremely curvy, a bit more in your face image, sassy black female that rocks a massive fro hawk. That’s very different for the country community. But, at the end of the day good music is good music regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and religion. Music is the ONE thing that unites us all. Let’s stop putting labels on what people can and can’t do just because of what they look like.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an artist. It’s still unbelievable that I get to say that, and be able to say it’s my full-time job. It’s funny to me that even though this is 2020, depending on who I speak to when I say “I am an artist” people respond with “that’s great but like, what’s your real job?” and then I’m like “no, that is my real job” and people are still surprised. Being a starving artist is still a reality, but the world is becoming more and more accessible everyday and there are so many platforms and opportunities for artists to be extremely successful. In my opinion, if you can put food on the table and pay your own bills all while doing what you love, that is successful. Sure you might not be rich and famous, as the 1% of artists at that level, but you can create one heck of a lifestyle and be happy. Life and performing has thrown me some serious curve balls but I’m so proud to say I wake up everyday and live out the dream I’ve had since I was six years old. Performing has allowed me to see over 70 countries, have friends all over the world, inspire and perform for literally hundreds of thousands of people and do what I love. I may be a bit biased, but I think I have the coolest job in the world!
A typical day for me might mean hours in airports, sitting on planes, running rehearsals with new bands, auditioning, practicing, engaging with as many fans and supporters as possible in person and on social media, recording new music, and negotiating contracts. I make sure to hit the gym so I can handle my challenging show schedule, and I’m constantly thinking about my next move. Being an artist is HARD WORK. There are a million moving parts that must come together in order to be successful. No one wakes up one day and says “Hey, I want to be a singer” and then overnight is selling out Madison Square Garden. For most of us, this has been our ENTIRE life’s work. We’ve spent countless hours rehearsing and perfecting our craft. We manage websites, create content for multiple social media platforms, screen for quality music, professional photos, electronic press kits, merchandise, press articles, showreels, I mean the list goes on. Once we get a gig, we’re already thinking about how to get the next one. It’s a never ending cycle that most of us love and honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Being an artist is not the normal 9 to 5 job. We don’t have steady hours, steady schedule or even a steady income. Some gigs are only for one night whereas others could be for 12 months and we’re okay with that. That is the norm for most of us. It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are. It’s a hard job but man, its one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done and people love to be entertained so hey, somebody has to do it right?
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I’ve been influenced and inspired by so many different things that it’s hard to pinpoint one source. I will say the one thing that gets me out of bed in the morning and the thing that keeps me going is when someone says I can’t accomplish what I’ve set out to do. One: I’m still breathing. Two: I have a voice, and Three: I have one of the best platforms to use my voice and inspire others to use theirs. Being the underdog inspires me. Being told I’m not good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough or even that I’m the wrong skin color or my hair is too big and I should straighten it (which is just shocking) inspires me. All of these things just fuel my fire so I can prove to the world that these stereotypes don’t matter. There are over 7.5B people in this world and we ALL deserve representation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashlieamber.com
- Phone: 720-495-5336
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @ashlieamberofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshlieAmberOfficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshlieAmber
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/c/AshlieAmber
Image Credit:
Sarah Lee Saleh
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