biography

“Keep an eye on this young, sly  Southern writer -   she's one to watch.”

- Susan Werner

Listeners of FolkAlley agreed, voting Mama’s Skirt into the top 25 albums of the site’s “Top CDs of 2010.”  Mama’s Skirt is the culmination of two years of collaboration with Co-Producer and Sound Engineer Kenny McWilliams of Archer Avenue Studio. Careful attention was given to each song to provide arrangements that would exemplify its character and style. The music covers a variety of musical genres - folk, country, rock, pop, blues, and even hints of reggae (“Love & Peanut Butter”) – and shows off Ashley’s versatile voice, which has been called “angelic,” “lilting,” “gorgeous and rich." Beneath this pure voice is a cunning attitude that sneaks thorough in songs such as “There You’ll Be” (an unforgiving look at ineffective pursuits of happiness) and “Sinner’s Blues” (a traditional blues tune that affectionately puts the heat on Christianity).  The songs showcase Ashley’s knack for writing catchy tunes with strong melodies and evocative, clever lyrics that have been striking chords with listeners, regardless of age.

“I knew I had something when my 9-year-old guitar student was begging to learn one of my songs, and at the same time 80-year-olds were grinning from ear to ear in delight,” she says.
 Prior to her singing career, Ashley studied classical music exclusively, beginning at age 5 with the piano and progressing later to the saxophone and oboe. In college, she played the oboe in orchestras while earning her degree in music with plans of becoming a music theory professor.

Songwriting, however, remained a hidden hobby until her senior year of college, when she returned to the U.S. after spending a semester in Austria to benefit from its musical history. Burnt out from the rigor, she declined her music scholarship and quit performing classical music entirely.

With less pressure and more time on her hands, she brought her guitar into the dorm and soon slipped back into her old habit of singing and songwriting. A friend introduced her to Joni Mitchell’s album “Blue,” and the rest is history. After graduating, she sold her oboe to help pay for her first full-length album. Listening to Mama’s Skirt, it is clear that Ashley Wells has indeed found her natural talents.  After releasing her debut album, Ashley relocated to Boston in 2011 to expand upon her opportunities as an emerging folk artist. Within a few months of arriving, she had won the area’s renown Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge and was opening for national acts such as Susan Werner. In addition, she has also opened for #1 hit songwriter Rob Crosby, whose songs have been recorded by the likes of Martina McBride and Paul Simon.

Ashley Wells

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Raised in the South, classical musician turned singer/songwriter Ashley Wells has a sound that appeals to audiences both young and old alike. Her captivating voice & carefully crafted lyrics draw listeners in for an intimate listening experience.  In 2010 she released her debut album Mama’s Skirt, which went on to place in the top 10 on the Folk DJ Charts its first month out.

“Only a handful of young singers offer both spunk and sensibility,”  said Senior Producer Jim Blum of FolkAlley.com.   “Ashley Wells is just getting started, and   I would recommend following her career.”

“To be an artist means to approach the light, and that means to let go of our control, to allow our whole selves to be placed in absolute faith in that which is greater than we are.”     - madeleine l’engle