22 Artists to Watch in 2022

4. Ashley Cooke

Photo Credit: John Shearer

Ashley Cooke was ready to hit the ground running after her graduation from Belmont University and winning the school’s historic Country Showcase in 2019, but then the pandemic hit and put a halt to her music career plans – or so she thought. During quarantine, Cooke spent her time in Florida working on writing new music with the determination to keep the flame and passion burning. In an effort to share these new tunes, Cooke took a stab at the video-sharing social media app, TikTok — and a chance upload of her song “Jealous of the Sky” changed her life. Cooke now boasts a whopping 10.8 million likes and 843k followers on TikTok, and has amassed over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, with rotation support from SiriusXM’s country station, The Highway. 

She also launched The 615 House with co-creator Chris Reedier. Like the famed Hype House and Sway House, the 615 House is a collective of content creators. Members of “collab houses” promote one another’s social media posts, work together to produce content, and give each other emotional support. But unlike the Los Angeles houses, 615 House is comprised entirely of country musicians. The members of this house are not content producers, per se — they are singers and songwriters using social media to maintain independence. They started the house after Covid-19 left many artists stranded, trying to build audiences with whatever means available. They noticed the popularity of country music content on TikTok, and decided to start a collab house specifically for songwriters. Because Nashville culture attracts serious songwriting talent, the house quickly became more than a business venture.

Ashley spent time last year writing with Nashville’s A-List songwriters including Craig Wiseman, Nicolle Galyon, Tofer Brown and is being produced by reigning CMA ‘Song of the Year’ winner, Jimmy Robbins. In Aug. 2021, Cooke released her debut project Already Drank That Beer, Side A, featuring 8 tracks written by Cooke and many of Nashville’s hottest songwriters. The project includes fan-favorite “Never Til Now” as well as standout tracks “Good Goodbye” ft. Jimmie Allen and “Already Drank That Beer.”

Cooke is currently on the road with Travis Denning opening for multi-Platinum selling country star Cole Swindell on his Down to the Bar tour.

Back Blocks Music Artist Development/Publishing

Hot Release: “Good Goodbye” & “Never Till Now”

If you like: Gabby Barrett, Maddie & Tae, RaeLynn

More Info: www.ashleycooke.com | www.instagram.com/theashleycooke | www.tiktok.com/@theashleycooke

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