Ashley Cooke

ashleycooke.com/

With Big Loud / Back Blocks Music Country artist Ashley Cooke, it’s best to know what you’re getting into – because this emerging star is the definition of more than meets the eye. A graceful exterior matched by a casual-cool nature. Skillfully crafted lyrics and a knack for unforgettable performance. Effortless vocal beauty and a bold sense of internal grit, freely mixing it up with the boys while she rallies the girls. And most important, a passion for capturing the magic between heartbeats, each moment as unique as she is. Still early in her journey, being herself has already served Cooke well. It has led to over 270M global streams with chart climbing hits like “Never Til Now” with Brett Young, Ryman and Grand Ole Opry debuts, national TV appearances on ABC’s The Bachelorette and NBC’s TODAY, tours with Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Cole Swindell, Brett Young and more.

Hailing from Parkland, Fla. and moved by emotional hit makers like Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Ed Sheeran and more, Cooke embraces the energy of pop and depth of Country, writing her first song by age 11. Cooke moved to Nashville at 18 and attended the prestigious Belmont University – but unlike so many others, she did not study music. After entering the schools revered Country Showcase on a whim and winning, Cooke decided to pursue music for a year. When the pandemic had other plans, Cooke went to TikTok where she built a thriving fanbase, writing and sharing Country music on her own terms.

And now, the next chapter begins with her debut album shot in the dark. Unfolding as if they were ripped from pages of her personal journal, Cooke’s sun-kissed blend of two-lane pop Country is on full display in the collection’s 24 tracks, inspired by true tales of love, heartbreak and all the moments in between. Fully capturing the essence of a daring twenty-something growing up, chasing her dreams and taking risks, Cooke infuses heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies and raw relatability as she invites listeners to come along for the ride. The striking debut has already garnered Cooke praise from Billboard who named her the July 2023 Rookie of the Month, with additional praise pouring in from People, American Songwriter, The Tennessean and more. Cooke went on to be named MusicRow’s 2023 Discovery Artist of the Year and Next Big Thing and iHeartCountry’s On The Verge artist as her hit single “your place” spins in the Top 20 on Country radio stations nationwide.

Hudson Westbrook

www.hudsonwestbrook.com/

From trailer park baby to becoming CMT’s 2022, “Next Women of Country Music”, Laci Kaye Booth is living proof that where you come from and what you’ve been through, doesn’t define your destination. It builds character and appreciation for what you have because just like that, it can be gone in a blink of an eye.

Born and raised in Livingston, TX, a small town outside of Houston, Laci was your typical small town, auburn headed beauty queen. Sweet, full of energy and a voice that had everyone stopping in their tracks. Born into a musical family, music is in her blood. Her parents met at a high school talent show where her father followed his path of becoming a touring Texas musician and her mother raised her doing everything she could to make ends meet before her parents separated when she was 3 years old.

At the age of 8, Booth got introduced to Patsy Cline’s, “Crazy” and performed for the first time ever at a local theatre in Huntsville, TX. With a standing ovation and a smile bigger than Texas, she became crazy for the thrill, the art and the emotion music brought. That was the spark that ignited it all, her mother bought her a guitar and learned how to play a year later. She would beg her mom to take her to Karaoke nights, open mics and perform any chance she was given; in class, at talent shows, you name it. What seemed like forever, at least in Laci’s mind, she went through her teenage years as “that girl” who sings and was finally able to perform in small bars and restaurants around Houston, TX at 17 years old.

A dreamer by nature, singing wasn’t an option, it’s what she was made to do. Her mother and step father would drive her to wherever she needed to be to audition for, “The Voice.” After several auditions and not making it through to sing for the judges, Laci was planning another life and going to college to become a physician’s assistant. In late 2018, what Booth thought was an unobtainable goal, she took another chance and auditioned for “American Idol.” Riding through the treacherous emotions, Booth not only made it through on the first round, she took America by storm and broke into Season 17’s Top 5, leaving her no choice but to drop out of college to pursue the dream she’s had since she was 8 years old.

Saying goodbye to the platform that made everything a reality, Booth immediately moved to Nashville, TN in September of 2019. Wasting no time, Booth got introduced to the best songwriters and producers leaving them absolutely mesmerized by her angelic, smooth and controlled tone. Not to mention her confident, poised presence she brings when walking into a room. So much, that Big Machine Label Group signed her to a record deal, just after hearing her perform one song. But what could have been a Cinderella story, turned out to be something most never come back from. Booth got dropped by Big Machine in June 2022.