In Florida there is a 15 year old young Singer/Songwriter following her dreams of having a Music career. This Singer/Songwriter is 15 year old Ashley Briggs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Ashley Briggs style of singing is Country.Ashley Briggs is 15 years old and lives in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is a Country Music singer/songwriter whose career has changed drastically over the last 2 ½ years. Ashley has gone from singing in Church and at local karaoke venues to being ‘discovered’ and signing a development contract with an established Nashville industry executive team! She is currently working on a project in Nashville which will result in a CD release in the near future.
Ashley’s story is a humble one; she learned to sing while listening, as a very young child, to the worship team at the Church. After a talent show at her school, she was asked to audition for the role in the high school production of Annie; a role she was awarded at the young age of 10. Ashley started writing songs completing her first one, Better than You, (Ashley Briggs and Beth Cohen) in the 7th grade. She has many more in her song file and is excited about her new original ‘Island Cowboy” (Ashley Briggs and Keith Ridenour) which is making waves across Florida and will soon be released as a music video.
In 2011, Ashley and her family travelled to Nashville where, on her very first trip, she was able to sing her original “Turquoise” (Ashley Briggs and Marcy Beaupied) at the Bluebird Café, she also made it onto the stage of the Nashville Palace and World Famous Tootsies. In 2011, Ashley was asked by the founder of Tunes for Tots, Jason Shockey, to participate in local shows to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was a participant in 14 of the 17 Christmas Tour 2011 shows throughout South Florida as well as over 20+ shows raising some $15,000.00 for the foundation. Ashley is currently the spokesperson for Tunes for Tots of South Florida, a cause that is dear to her heart as Ashley believes in giving back through the use of her God given talent.
Ashley has been interviewed on local television news shows as well as local Radio Stations (WKIS 99.9FM). She was one of the four national finalists in the 2011 Voice of an Angel national competition and has sung the National Anthem for the Miami Marlins spring training games. She placed in the top ten of the 2011 Texaco Country Showdown, Sebastian, Florida competition; placed third in the 2012 Texaco Country Showdown local competition held at the RoundUp Night Club in Davie, Florida, sponsored by WKIS Country and was a nominee for South Florida Country Music’s Local Female Artist of 2011. The Award went to one of Ashley’s friends and mentor, the lovely Amber Leigh.
Ashley is dedicated to working hard on her dream of becoming a major recording artist and with a voice that most everyone describes as ‘pure’, her audience grabbing stage presence and a lot of faith, she will undoubtedly get there.
Ashley is grateful to all of her fans and friends both in the biz and out, for helping her come so very far in such a short amount of time.
When did you start singing?I have been singing for as long as I can remember. We have videos of me in as young as two years old humming and making up songs about the sky, trees, animals, etc.
Was it your dream to be a singer?
I didn't really know I wanted to be a singer until about 5th grade. Ever since then, all I want to do is sing. It’s my first priority and I’m going to work as hard as it takes to get where I want to be.
Tell us about your style of singing?
I like to sing country music, but I also love blues music and I love doing an occasional pop song here and there. My family is always listening to country music and I feel like that is the perfect genre for my voice.
Are there challenges pursuing a singing career?
Of course there are many challenges. For me, being 15, the biggest challenge is balancing school and singing. If it was up to me, I would just sing all the time, but I still have to keep my grades up and go to school.
Does your parents and friends support you?
They are my biggest fans! My mom and dad drive me all over Florida to perform, they spend money for me to be in competitions, and they are constantly handing out my CD’s and telling everyone they meet about me. My sister, who is in college and my friends support me 100%. On days when I’d like to hang out with them, but I have to sing somewhere, they always tell me that we’ll do it another time, and always lift me up and give me confidence going into performances!
Do you write your own songs?
I do write my own songs, any many times I write with established writers from Nashville. I started writing about 3 years ago when I was in 7th grade. I have about 45-50 songs written right now, and 8 finished with music. I love writing; it’s my escape.
If so, tell us what goes into writing a great song?Emotion is the best thing in a song. I find it much easier to write about things that have happened to me, or a friend, rather than something random. When it’s a personal experience you can put so much more emotion into the song, and people are able to connect to it more.
Where was your first performance, were you excited?
My first performance was when I played Annie in the high school play. I was in 4th grade when my music teacher told me to try out for the play the following year. I did, and had the amazing opportunity to play Annie. I was only 11 at the time. It was such an awesome experience. I got to work with some of my friends and worked the high school students in the play. I loved being in the play, because we really became a family and were there for each other.
Where have you been able to perform?
I have been blessed to perform all over Florida and in Nashville. I am part of Tunes For Tots of South Florida, benefitting the Make A Wish foundation, and we have had the opportunity to do shows all over South Florida. I also sing at some karaoke places, where I started because I love seeing all of my friends when I’m able to. I have done many guest appearances for shows here in South Florida, and have competed in the Texaco Country Showdown a few times. Two summers ago, we travelled to Nashville for the first time and I was able to perform at the Nashville Palace, Tootsies, and the Bluebird Café. I fell in love with Nashville, and will be going back in a few weeks for the third time to record some more songs for a project we are working on.
Who inspires you with your singing and songwriting?
Singing: Martina McBride, Adele, Hunter Hayes
Writing: My friends and their stories, Hunter Hayes because he is a great writer and performer, and two of the people I am currently writing with Keith Ridenour and James Hudson.
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would definitely LOVE to perform at the Grand Ole Opry! That is the biggest stage for a country singer to perform on, and it would be so amazing if I had the opportunity to sing there!
Along the same line, who would you love to perform with?
I have always dreamed about performing with Martina McBride. I love singing her songs, and I love her voice and her music. She is very classy and one of the greatest women country singers right now! I would be beyond honored to perform with her.
What are some of your goals for your Music?I would like to write and sing songs that everyone would approve of from a high school student to their grandparents. Songs about life and love that are happy, uplifting and touch people and their hearts; you know the kind they remember years later.
What do you hope to accomplish with your singing/songwriting?
Making a difference when people listen.
Do you have any advice for those wanting to start a career in singing and songwriting?
Go for it! Try it out, you never know if you don’t try. If you love doing it, keep at it. Never give up. Follow your dreams.
Is there anything else you want our readers to know about you, your singing/songwriting?
I want to make people smile and sometimes cry, in a good way, when they hear me sing one of my songs. I would like them to say that I was someone who inspired them to take that big step and go after their dream. Someone they respected and liked for being a real person.
You find Ashley online on her official sites below. Ashley Briggs is a great singer whose career will take off.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ashleybriggsmusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ashbriggsmusic
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ashleybriggsmusic
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Born2Sing31/
Rocky Coast News is pleased to have Ashley Briggs as our latest "Musician Spotlight", where we highlight, promote up and coming musicians that have amazing vocals, sound, style and/or who are able to play an instrument well singing.
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