Meet Trailblazer Ashlee Brauer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Brauer.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashlee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began singing at a young age in school and was eventually introduced to two sets of brothers that were encouraged by their musician fathers to start a band. We began rehearsing together and were soon being paid to perform. We played together as Longshot throughout high school, graduated, and followed different paths. After graduating from college, I missed performing deeply. I competed in a karaoke competition and won a trip to Vegas and it gave me a taste of what I’d missed for so long. I then began searching for existing bands in need of a lead singer. I joined one band and performed with them around Colorado for several years and then took some time off. Yet again, I missed it. I contacted Nik and Donovan (two of my childhood bandmates) and Russ who was in my most recent band to see if we could forge something new. We rehearsed for a few months in preparation for our first gig in February of 2016 and have been playing consistently ever since. We’ve had some incredible opportunities. We play many local bars and nightclubs, special weddings and family gatherings, county fairs and some exciting big scale gigs opening for several talented recording artists including CMA vocal group of the year Midland, Cody Canada and The Departed, Josh Gracin, Morgan Wallen & Hardy.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In searching for a new group, I encountered a lot of obstacles. One that stands out was auditioning for an existing band that I had previously sat in with. I was considerably younger than most of the existing male members. I was desperate to perform again and ignored some red flags that presented. One of the band member’s wives was extremely cruel and accusatory toward me (I assume simply because of my age and looks). She was convinced I was going to cause problems in her marriage without knowing anything about me. It was painful and I tried to explain to her I had no such intentions but later found she had control and power over her husband and the band. I decided at that moment, I wouldn’t be in a band where the leader wasn’t a leader and the members didn’t defend one another. I also wanted a ‘band family’ in which the spouses and members genuinely loved and supported each other and I was determined to seek that out. I have a full-time job and never wanted my hobby to feel like a burden. Since starting the current band, it’s been surprisingly smooth. The four of us are extremely close and very supported by our spouses, family, and friends which makes it all worthwhile. I would advise young women to support one another, to not compare where they’re at in their journey to where someone else is on theirs. It’s possible to forge what you want and to make your vision possible. It takes perseverance and work and sometimes several moments of defeat but the end product is always worth it. In all walks of life, “settling” for something that doesn’t feel right probably isn’t.

We’d love to hear more about Ashlee & The Longshot Revival.
I’m the lead singer of the band. I also book all of our gigs and do all of the promoting. We’re known for our wide range of different eras of country music. I’m most proud of and feel different and set apart because I’m one of the only females in my area that leads a band. In Colorado Springs, the country music scene is predominately led by males and I’m glad to stand apart.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mother always worked hard and provided so much for me and my family. I’ve also been inspired by artists like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn that told stories (that weren’t always popular) with their music.

Contact Info:

• Website: Ashleelongshotrevival.com
• Phone: 7192389095
• Email: ashleelongshotrevival@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleelongshotrevival/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleelongshotrevival/

Image Credit:
Brian Buck, REN Creativ

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