She is the Texas Country Music Association’s reigning Female Artist of the Year. Born in Bryan, raised in Columbus, and now calling College Station home, 25-year-old Morgan Ashley is a Texan through and through. She has taken the Texas Country Music Scene by storm and is proving you can be down to earth and still shoot for the stars. Postcards Magazine visited with Morgan about the FFA talent show that first sparked her interest in music, and the journey that led her to the big stage at Billy Bob’s Texas, where she accepted her award among veterans in the business – women she has looked up to for many years.

What was it like growing up in Columbus, Texas?

It was a small country town, and for as long as I can remember, I wanted a horse really bad. I grew up in 4-H and FFA. I did barrel racing, and we had a 4-H horse program. I pretty much did all the different programs – leather making, cake making, anything 4-H offered, and FFA as well. That’s kind of how I got introduced to music, in a way. One day I decided to do the FFA talent show. I was nervous to get up and talk in front of people, but for some reason, I thought I could get up there and sing.

So how did it go? What did you sing, and what was the crowd’s reaction?

I sang “Famous in a Small Town” by Miranda Lambert and “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. It was like an overwhelming supportive crowd of my peers. I was so nervous, but it ended up being a very positive experience. There were other people in the talent show who played guitar, and I thought that was just the coolest thing ever, so I wanted to play, too. I had one in my room for several years, but I never played it. So, I finally picked up a guitar and then started doing open mic nights and stuff within the next two months. Then I started playing shows and have been grinding at it ever since.

So, you were still in high school when you started doing open mics?

Yes, I was. I decided when I was a freshman to graduate high school in three years, so I picked up the guitar in the last year of school and had my first official show while I was still in high school at our little bar in town called Cantu’s – now it’s Blake Street.

That’s impressive. At what point did you realize you had the talent to take this further?

I took guitar lessons at Guitar Center in Katy, and my guitar teacher was young, in her twenties, and I was 17 or 18 at the time. She was an artist and pursuing music. She just really made me believe music was something I could pursue as my career. I actually went to college right out of high school and did one semester. Then, I decided to ask my parents if it would be okay for me to just work and play music. I was nervous. I thought it was going to be a whole drawn-out conversation, but it wasn’t. They were on board. They were like “Yes, absolutely, work and play music.”

So, what came next?

I went to Nashville and played shows for about a year and a half and was just trying to hone in on who I was as an artist and trying to write songs. Writing songs didn’t come very easily to me at that point, and that was really important to me as an artist. I wrote songs when I was younger and knew it was in me. I recorded my first EP, which I didn’t promote to radio, but then my full album that I did, called “Karma,” is where my first radio single came from. That was February of 2018, and the song was “Your Girl.”

“Your Girl” did really well for a first single.

Yes. It was a Top 40 song on the Texas country music charts.

You’ve now had six Top 40 songs on the Texas Charts, and you are starting this year with a powerful girl anthem. What is the story behind “Girl FYI?”

“Girl FYI” basically came about because I dated a guy for about a year, but I thought he was possibly secretly seeing other girls. Finally, I realized what was going on and ended our relationship. But he continued a relationship with another girl, and I guess she didn’t know about me. So, I wrote a song letting her know, like, “Girl, FYI, he was with me last night and said that he loved me, so something’s not right here.” It’s a true story, and I wrote the song by myself.

What do you hope people feel when they hear this song?

I hope it can just empower people. The situation empowered me to write the song. It was a step toward healing and getting over what happened. Hopefully, people relate to it. I mean, at the same time, I hope they don’t; but I just want it to be like an anthem people can listen to and sing at the top of their lungs and feel empowered.

2021 was a great year for you! You took home two big awards and were up against some stiff competition. First, how did you feel winning Best New Female Vocalist at the Texas Regional Radio Awards?

I was nominated in the spring. I was so nervous and excited. I wanted it so bad! That event is so cool, too. I got to sit at a table with Jon Wolf and his team and Clay Hollis, and just a table away was Randy Rogers. It’s just such a cool place and award show to hang out. Then to hear them call my name – it was definitely surprising! I was ecstatic.

And then, in November, you won big at the Texas Country Music Awards – Female Artist of the Year! What was that night like?

I was literally over the moon! I didn’t think there was any possible way because of the other amazing females in the category. I was really excited, and it was crazy to get up there and accept the award. I thought I was going to see everybody’s face, but I couldn’t see a single thing. That definitely made me nervous, but I was happier than I possibly could have imagined.

I was there that night, and to see the other female finalists excited for you really speaks to the camaraderie you all have. How would you describe your relationship with other female artists in Texas?

Everybody has been nothing but nice to me, and they’ve supported me. It just makes me the happiest person in the world to be able to text Bri Bagwell and say like, “Hey, you were such a big inspiration to me. I am so excited that I won this award, but oh my goodness do I look up to you!” It’s the same with Sarah Hobbs, Kylie Frey, and Ariel Hutchins. We really have great relationships and are truly excited to see each other succeed.

As the reigning Female Artist of the Year, you must know you made the right decision to chase your music dreams.

I definitely go through these periods of time where I’m always doubting and second guessing myself. So, to win an award like that was definitely an affirming thing, and it has helped me push forward in a positive way.

If you had to describe yourself, what kind of artist are you?

What kind of artist am I? I’m a wild card. That’s been like my most “iconic” song so far, and it’s about me. I have revenge songs, sassy, quirky, upbeat songs. I’m just a person who wants to tell the truth and have a good time and express the crazy things that happen and embrace the weird quirkiness.

I love it! So, let’s wrap up with a quick game called “5 Bests with Morgan Ashley.”

Best country song ever?

That’s such a hard question, but “Famous in a Small Town” by Miranda Lambert seems to me like the perfect Texas country music song! And I feel like I can 100% resonate with it like so many others being from a small town.

Best thing you’ve ever eaten?

Recently, I would say sushi. Love a good, spicy California roll. It’s a new thing I have been liking to eat a lot.

Best place to shop?

I am all about getting the basics from places like Old Navy and Target, but I love boutique shopping. That’s where I always find the cutest stuff!

Best thing on Netflix?

New Girl! My absolute favorite show! I’ve watched it so many times.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

To always strive to be the hardest working person in the room!

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Morgan Ashley live. Visit morganashleyofficial.com to find out when Morgan will be playing a show near you! Whether it’s a full-band show or acoustic, you are in for a real treat!