Ashley E. Norton

Artist Information

Biography

Ashley E. Norton will bring you in with smooth and sweet melodies then shake your soul with her unstoppable voice. “I am not afraid to put my heart out there,” explains Ashley. “I dive right into the lines of my diary that no one else shares, because I know my fans will relate and appreciate the honesty.” Ashley’s music takes you through a heart wrenching and pulse making journey that anyone can relate to.

Ashley began her career by performing in venues all over Arizona and walking dogs to fund her first self-produced demo, “Falling Into Place.” “I woke up one day and knew I had to make the big push to Nashville,” she claims. But it all really began when Ashley and co-owner of Juliet Productions, Michelle Penington, met Troy Luccketta, drummer of multiplatinum rock band Telsa and producer/owner of TML Studios, Nashville. Next thing you know Ashley was off to Nashville to perform at The Bluebird, Hotel Indigo and to meet Troy. Shortly after they met, she was headed in the studio for tracking. “Troy has taken the heart of country music and put the spirit of rock into this album,” states Ashley. He is now managing her career.

Ashley is honored to have some of Nashville’s finest musicians on her record. Troy played on two tracks himself and invited in three other drummers. Including, Al Wilson, (tour musical director and drummer for Taylor Swift), Greg Morrow (Amy Grant), and David Northrop (Travis Tritt and Pam Tillis). “The drums were really important to this album for Troy,” Ashley continues, “He could have drummed on the whole album himself but knew it would be better to direct on the other side of the glass. He even gave up playing on his favorite song!” Other talented musicians that make up the album include Derek Wells (Josh Turner & Lady Antebellum), Jake Clayton (Jimmy Wayne), Jonathan Lawson (Sara Evans), and Luis Espaya (Jimmy Wayne).

Ashley E. Norton has been writing and performing songs since before she can remember. Her first love was musical theatre. Dancing and singing along to her oldest sister’s high school plays, she soon followed in her footsteps. Soon after moving to Arizona with her family at 12 yrs. old, her aunt bought Ashley her first acoustic guitar (which still goes on tour with her). Songs began streaming out of Ashley. She began performing at open mics and coffee shops throughout the valley and knew she had found her calling. After graduating from Arizona State University, she used her English Literature degree to dive deeper into songwriting. “My degree meant a lot to me,” she says. “I always knew that after graduation I would take on music full-time.” She started a local rock band and took them on tour throughout California, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Dakota, and Northern Arizona. But her heart was in Country music, so it seemed natural to pick up her acoustic guitar and began the move for Nashville. “I fell in love with Nashville, says Ashley, “There has been an unexplainable force driving this project home. My producer always says I have angels all around me.”

Ashley E. Norton is driven and ready to get her new work out there to be heard. Her songs are much like her personality, open and honest. “The key is believing in yourself, constantly looking forward and always following through,” she smiles, “and I think I’ll always see it that way”…

Instrumentation

Jay Poole - Guitar
Geoff Jouas - Drums
Michael Rolland - Fiddle
Jason Silverman - Bass

Discography

Ashley E. Norton EP (2010)
Falling Into Place (2009)
Simply Listen (Delcoa 2009)
Roots, Bridges & Branches (Delcoa 2006)
Paper Airplane (Ash & The Impulse...coming soon)

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Give Me a Reason
  Listen  
• Hurricane
  Listen  
• Love Letters
  Listen  
• Trouble
  Listen  
• The Something
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Give Me a Reason
• Hurricane
• Love Letters
• Trouble
• The Something

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Simply Listen" Review [+ Show ]
  

  Delcoa is comprised of five all-star musicians whose talents shine as one cohesive unit. The opening...Delcoa is comprised of five all-star musicians whose talents shine as one cohesive unit. The opening track, “Pieces,” is a perfect example of how you can easily hear each individual's talent, but they do it in a way that melds together in perfect harmony and melody.
  As soon as you’re focused on Tony King’s drums, Jay Poole sneaks his guitar into the mix with a blistering solo that brings the song to an explosive crescendo. The third song, “Far Enough,” highlights the harmonies that Jay Allan and Ashley E. Norton are capable of creating. I love that there are harmonies through the entire song. They control them with ease, setting the mood in the verse and bringing the vocals to a climax in the chorus. On track four, “Watchpot,” the rhythm section of Ethan Newman (bass) and Tony King (drums) lay down a funked-up groove that lasts about one minute in the middle of the song and could easily have gone on all night. The sweet serenade that is "Set Sail” makes you believe in the happy ever-after; Jay Allan's vocals remind me of the Barenaked Ladies.
  This album is fused with tones of jazz, folk, funk and rock like on the song “False Gravity,” which exemplifies their diversity as they grind it out, allowing Jay to sing from his gut. The Nora Jones-esque “Conversations with the Moon” rolls as smooth as the wine from your glass to your tongue and guest musician Stefan Platamone adds a beautiful trumpet to highlight this song. This is the kind of album that you find yourself discovering new pleasures every time you listen. Lose yourself in their musical journey.
  Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
  Link: http://www.hooplamusicmagazine.com/album_reviews/delcoa.htm
  

• "Simply Listen" Review 2 [+ Show ]
  

  The Phoenix-based group Delcoa combines the lyrical musings of five diversely trained musicians. Des...The Phoenix-based group Delcoa combines the lyrical musings of five diversely trained musicians. Described as a “folky-funk rock” band, Delcoa blends smoothness and energy and will have you bobbing your head in no time.
  
  Link: http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=3471
  

• The Night Owl [+ Show ]
  

  Delcoa is one of my favorite local acts. They blend folk, funk, and pop to create unique tracks that...Delcoa is one of my favorite local acts. They blend folk, funk, and pop to create unique tracks that get your head bobbing and your chi movin. On March 14th, they'll be holding their record release at Wrigley Mansion with guests EastonAshe. If you yearn for great local music, this is a must-attend...I plan to have an album review after I pick it up and see them perform it live, so stay tuned.
  

• McDowell Mountain Music Festival [+ Show ]
  

  There is nothing that brings people together quite like music-and a good cause. Since 2004 The McDow...There is nothing that brings people together quite like music-and a good cause. Since 2004 The McDowell Mountain Music Festival, a non-profit festival...
  This year's 13-band line-up April 24-25 at WestWorld of Scottsdale will feature Hot Tuna, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Young Doubliners, Matisyahu, The Flaming Lips and Indigenous. Others that will perform are the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Assembly of Dust, and Railroad Earth, along with local talent Delcoa, Haven James, Ten Dollar Outfit and Random Karma.
  "Whenever music is used in service for 'the greater good,' a show can take on a tangible and positive vibe between the band and the crowd," said Ethan Newman, bassist for Phoenix-based band Delcoa. "It has been said before, but music really does have a unique power to motivate people and harness their energy for the benefit of others."
  ...Phoenix-based band Delcoa will play at the music festival. There are 13 bands in the lineup April 24-25 at WestWorld.
  

Setlist

Give Me a Reason
Hurricane
Love Letters
All Up to You
Going Solo
Trouble
The Something
Hide & Go Seek
Jealousy
Pulse
Bonny & Clyde
Leaving Arizona
Angels on My Side
Etc...

Basic Requirements

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