Ashley Ray Ready to Make Waves with New Record “Pauline”
Her name is Ashley Ray. And it’s a name that has ended up in the liner notes of the records of some of country music’s most revered performers like Lori McKenna and Wade Bowen. It’s a name that has been featured in opening slots for Miranda Lambert and Eric Church. It’s a name that has written songs professionally for Sony ATV and now BMG Nashville. But when it comes to her 3rd record and what she hopes to be her solo breakout, consider her Pauline.
Who exactly is Pauline? It’s a personification of sorts, a reenactment of Ashley Ray’s grandmother. That’s who she’s emulating in her bra and curlers, cradling a cigarette between her fingers. That’s who she channeled when she stepped into the hallowed circle of the Grand Ole Opry to make her debut. It’s also the inspiration for her new record, and the namesake of the title track.
The Lawrence, KS native who comes from blue-collar stock has been scratching out a living in Nashville as a songwriter for years now. “I was a country girl,” says Ashley. “I love it when my friends call me ‘Dive Bar Darling,’ because I grew up drinking Shirley Temples with my dad in dive bars and the VFWs. I cut my teeth as a performer in dive bars.”
The new album came from a marathon writing session with co-writer and producer Sean McConnell where Ashley Ray began putting her life stories to song. Encouraged by her publisher to see the project through, she got into the studio and Pauline came to life. “I had to go through all those years of ‘No’s’ and ‘almost’s’ to really write this record, and be grateful for this journey. I need the rejection.”
Along with Sean McConnell, Ashley Ray has made many friends and advocates in music over the years, including Sean McConnell, and Lori McKenna who she recently wrote the song “Rhinestoned” with that appeared on the new Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen record. And speaking of Wade Bowen, he can’t speak highly enough of her.
“I first became friends with Ashley Ray as an artist, and loved what she was doing immediately,” says Wade Bowen. “She became my sister and one of my favorite people. And over the years I’ve watched her truly work on the craft of songwriting and taking it very seriously. And now I feel she’s now ready more than ever to be the artist she’s always wanted to be. She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to chase it down … with a sweet smile of course!”
Pauline will be released on Soundly Music on August 14th, but three songs have already been debuted already—a perfect time to get it on your radar.
“I don’t have this big, beautiful voice made for singing the National Anthem,” she says. “I tell stories. It’s a storyteller’s voice. I grew up just loving Willie Nelson and Bob Seger and Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams and Stevie Nicks—people who had grit in their voices. You can almost hear where they came from in their voices.”
Pauline is now available for pre-order.
Strait Country 81
July 2, 2020 @ 8:52 am
That sounds like it could actually do well on radio
tucker33585
July 2, 2020 @ 9:21 am
Sadly no correlation to Norm Macdonald’s Dirty Work Movie
SweetheartoftheRadio
July 2, 2020 @ 9:25 am
Easily my favorite songwriter of 2020!
Happy Dan
July 2, 2020 @ 9:38 am
Yikes, that voice is not easy on the ears.
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 2, 2020 @ 6:20 pm
I thought the same thing. She sounds awful.
Allen
July 2, 2020 @ 10:11 am
Back in 2008, there was a live stream of one of the Hold My Beer concerts with Randy and Wade (I believe it streamed through Galleywinter, but I could be wrong.) Randy sang a song called “Take Your Time” which I believe he said he wrote with Ashley Ray. I was always hoping that he would cut it on an album because it’s pretty really.
Melissa
July 2, 2020 @ 10:53 am
This has got to be one of the most annoying voices I’ve ever heard. I understand why they have it set so low in the mix. Yikes.
Trigger
July 2, 2020 @ 11:31 am
Oh her voice is fine. I think folks are especially hard on women’s voices, especially if they’ve never heard them before.
Paddy
July 2, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
Hey man. Look up Michelle Billingsley.
Travis
July 2, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
It immediately reminded me of the chipmunks but also sounds over-processed in places. Maybe it just takes some getting used to.
Trigger
July 2, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
The Chipmunks?
Jesus.
Jack W
July 2, 2020 @ 1:00 pm
Reminded me of Julie Miller.
Corncaster
July 2, 2020 @ 2:06 pm
Good ears. Dead ringer.
I like “Pauline.” The voice is character actor like, but it works for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujlGgOXLIl8
when that work went missin’
they packed ammunition
There ya go.
618creekrat
July 3, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
On this newer, rootsier stuff she sounds a LOT like Julie Miller. I like it. Not a voice that merely passes for pleasant, but one which calls for attention. It’s like someone slipped slightly more than a hint of habanero into the KC Masterpiece.
JB-Chicago
July 3, 2020 @ 6:28 am
Yeah I listened to title track Pauline first because that was the first song that came up on Spotify then I listened to Dirty Work, Waiting, and St. Patricks Day which is all out front vocal and although her voice is a little on the nasally side I think it’ll grow on me in the context of the full album. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Sarah’s voice and I said “Yikes” like you did and now hearts flow around my head every time I hear her. Caitlin Cannon’s voice although a step or 2 above that does the same for me. These women’s voices have “character” and fits their music perfectly. I don’t really hear any Alvin, Simon, or Theodore influence in Ashley. Looking forward to the album for sure!
Ebby Calvin 75
July 4, 2020 @ 7:27 am
I think she has a cool gritty sound, I dig it!
OlaR
July 2, 2020 @ 11:55 am
No problem with the voice…but…”Dirty Work” is annoying as hell.
Repeating “Dirty Work”, “Dirty Work”, “Dirty Work” for 200 times is not helping…will make my list for Worst Songs of the Year 2020.
Hope the rest of the album is better. Had high hopes for Ashley Ray. Well…we will see.
jon
July 2, 2020 @ 12:02 pm
That song oddly sounds like something Ray Wylie Hubbard would release.
wayne
July 2, 2020 @ 1:03 pm
Miranda Lambertish.
Jack W
July 2, 2020 @ 1:13 pm
As I remarked above, her voice (and phrasing) reminds me of Julie Miller. Maybe a little huskier. And the song has a bit of a Buddy and Julie feel to it. I like it. Up my roots rock alley.
Blackh4t
July 2, 2020 @ 1:36 pm
Don’t mind it. I find her voice is like Jaida Dreyer, not the best but with personality. Opposite of Carrie Underwood.
However, i didnt hear any country in it.
Corncaster
July 2, 2020 @ 1:56 pm
I don’t mind her cover of Sweet Home Alabama, which sounds like a good smoke feels. This song? Not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFl8EgbHji4
glendel
July 2, 2020 @ 2:34 pm
didn’t think much of the country throwdown tour at the time, but in retrospect, a day with ashley ray, eric church, jamey johnson, and with eddie gentry and his partner headlining over almost a dozen other acts was pretty great. very glad I was there.
Warthog
July 2, 2020 @ 7:36 pm
Almost pre-ordered the CD just based on the album concept and the fact that she co-wrote “Rhinestoned.” Then I thought, “maybe I should check out the song first.”
Less than a minute into the song, i pre-ordered the CD. Color me impressed and excited.
Derek
July 3, 2020 @ 4:50 am
No doubt her voice is unique. I personally enjoy it. With that being said “Dirty Work” doesn’t do any thing for me. The other 2 songs released from this project showcase her voice better IMO.
Anyone interested should check out her last record They Call Me A Ray. It was produced by Jay Joyce so you know from the start that it’s country-tinged rock and he adds a good dose of funk to the project, but for my money it’s where she shines brightest and her voice fits better. There are some standout tracks: Who You Trying To Fool, Signs of Weakness, Holywater. I couldn’t find a Youtube link so here’s Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1gYJs8tXCMkULRoAy5ezq1?si=D4r4n5EGTo2GGKnUuOdIzg
Check her out! Polarizing music with substance!
618creekrat
July 3, 2020 @ 4:59 pm
That album is quite a ride. Given that I got little joy out of Miranda Lambert’s Jay Joyce produced project, I probably shouldn’t like it, but I’m compelled to give it at least another listen. Every track comes off as a fairly bold experiment on incorporating a country element into a pop/rock piece. Quite a bit of territory gets covered so it keeps you off your balance. The approaches are esoteric enough that I can’t chalk the album up as merely an effort to pander to Nashville radio. A couple more listens and I’ll likely buy it.
JB-Chicago
July 5, 2020 @ 2:49 pm
Actually I went back and listened to both early ones and liked the 5 song EP better but I’m sure if I gave A Ray some spins I might enjoy it more. It’s probably just not as immediate as the first batch.
albert
July 3, 2020 @ 10:34 am
VERY Miranda meets Stones from arrangement to her vocal sound …….
she’s a tad buried in the mix but at least we know the title by the end .