Well, here is a fascinating read from another local artist who is keeping the flame of solid traditional Country music alive in the honky-tonks of Nashville’s Lower Broadway. Thank you, Allison Asarch, for showing those crowds of tourists and the local fans you have made how it is still done here!

 Allison recently took some time away from performing to record and release her debut LP, “Texas to Tennessee” which is available on all the usual streaming platforms. I just love when an artist pens a song in tribute to one of their musical heroes. Check out “Taylor Made” to hear Allison honor one of her main inspirers.

 Says Allison: “Taylor made me think that I could do anything I wanted to. There’s a little bit of her in every song I play. I was Taylor made”

So great to have Allison do 11 Questions. We will be looking out for you Downtown and beyond. Allison is ready to tour for the first time and you can help her out in this endeavor here.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I am originally from Houston, TX.  When I was on my way to study Music for college in Ohio, my mom and I stopped in Nashville.  There was an ah ha moment telling me that I would be returning to this city.  The music on Broadway, the writers’ rounds, the food, the atmosphere… I knew that was where I belonged.  After graduating in 2018, I moved on my own to Nashville that fall.  I didn’t know anyone!  Only friends of friends who ended up introducing me to my musical mentors/co-writers/producers. Best decision yet to move here 🙂 I’ve met so many incredible people that are valuable to my music career.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

I remember my mom playing Shania Twain’s Come on Over and The Chicks Fly albums around the house, but the first record I vividly remember getting was Avril Lavigne’s Let Go album.  I was in elementary school, and I loved her voice and lyrics.  My grandma sent it to me over mail while I was at my summer camp, Camp Champions.  When the album arrived, I opened it, and the disc was split in half! I took pictures of it with my Kodak disposable camera to show my grandma when I came home.

I believe the last record I bought was Taylor Swift’s Folklore vinyl deluxe album.  My sister Lindsey decided to surprise me and have seven family members and friends also buy one of the vinyl albums for me for my birthday… So, I own all eight of the vinyl deluxe versions!  I bought mine and I’m sure they also bought their albums through her website.

Funny how I can remember walking into Best Buy in 2009 to buy Taylor Swift’s debut album just to hear “Our Song” for the second time in the car.  I also remember waiting to go straight to Target after school to grab my fresh copy of the latest Taylor release.  Now I just buy the records online and wait for them to ship to me… which if you’ve ordered any Taylor merch in the past few years… know takes a long time for anyone to receive!  With Spotify, I now stay up until midnight with cookie dough and wine in hand to listen through the entire album.  Both are essential to making me stay as focused as possible to the fresh lyrics of one of the best songwriters of all time.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

The first concert question is a tough one to answer because I have three ways to answer.  I was in my mother’s womb when I saw the Eagles for the first time, I was around three when I saw LeAnn Rimes at a small venue in Houston where apparently she danced with me while I was on my dad’s shoulders, and I remember my mom and grandma taking my sisters and I to see N’SYNC in 2000 where we first went to the bathroom to put paper towels in our ears to make sure the noise wasn’t too loud for us.  All three of these shows I was under the age of seven, and to be honest I feel like I could be forgetting another handful of concerts I got to attend around these ages.

My love for concerts started from a young age, as you can tell, so my list of acts goes from Van Halen, Tina Turner, Shania Twain, to MisterWives, The Lumineers, John Mayer, and obviously Taylor Swift.  There’s nothing like a live concert… the atmosphere, the sound, and how the artists showcase how the music we’ve been listening to can so easily be transformed into new masterpieces live, and that entices me to see all artists live. The last LIVE concert I attended was Maren Morris’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo show where she was nine months pregnant and one week later, the pandemic caused everything to shut down.  I was fortunate to attend a Sirius XM zoom show with The Lumineers when their latest album Brightside debuted.  No idea if they saw me or not, BUT I think I got a wave from Wesley 🙂

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

I am shocked to see that Garth Brooks name is not on there.  Personally, I have never seen him in concert.  I have only heard great things about his stage presence, his audience participation, and the shows he puts on.  I would think with his huge career, especially with his story with Nashville, he would easily have been placed on the list.  I also do not know many songs by him, but I think it would be a fantastic experience to go to one of his shows.  I work at the Pancake Pantry in Nashville, I haven’t worked the same time that he’s come in (bummer!), but we have so many guests that come in wearing his merchandise.  I have a feeling all of them secretly want him to show up, but who wouldn’t!

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Don’t hate me… I’m not the biggest coffee drinker! BUT I have been told by many people that one of their favorite local spots for sure is 8th & Roast. I’d have to put Frothy Monkey second because their food is delicious!  Pizza has to go to either Five Points or Slim & Husky’s.  We are blessed with some amazing pizza places here in Nashville and those are my tops for sure.  Make sure to try the Super Bianca at Five Points or the California Love at Slim & Husky’s.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

For a good while I was obsessed with Maren Morris’ Girl album.  I had listened to Hero and started becoming a fan of hers when I was in college.  I thought her voice was flawless and I felt like I also had many of the same qualities as her in my voice and songwriting style.  When I saw her in concert CRUSHING it while nine months pregnant, it made me want to go on tour pregnant whenever I have children.  When I was younger my dream was to adopt my first child because I didn’t want to be pregnant while on tour, but seeing her and Beyoncé and so many others now accomplish it why can’t I?

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Daddy’s Dogs.  Hands down.  I almost worked there, but Pancake Pantry called me back first.  My favorite 100% beef hot dog anywhere.  The buns, supreme! The toppings, incredible!  Always, always my go to for late night snacks in Nashville. Don’t forget the boozy milkshakes!  I’m a Daddy’s Girl for sure 🙂

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

The three local songwriters that would join me would be Megan Barker, Ericca Latza, and The Renfrees! Written and worked with all of them and it would just be so much fun! We’d have a BLAST on stage!  Super lucky and blessed to know all of them and to consider them friends.  We could sing harmonies, laugh, and tell great stories to all that attend.  I need to set this up! 😉

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

It’s very hard to choose for me! The Sutler was one of my favorite places, and I’m so sad that they’re closed now.  I’ve played downtown on Broadway at The Stage and Second Fiddle which were super fun venues for sure.  Played many rounds at Cabana Taps, played at The George Jones, and played a few local coffee shop type gigs as well. I guess what I love most about Nashville is that there are so many places you can play and feel appreciated!  Yes, some have a bigger audience or crowd, but in reality, if someone likes what they’re hearing and can relate to my songs… then I’m happy! I’m getting the job done and succeeding as a songwriter.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here.

Mainly because I think it would be cool to see her more often, Maggie Rogers.  Her stage presence is infectious, and her musical abilities are endless.  She has a fantastic voice, great producing skills, and just a true creative.  I think she could thrive in Nashville, and she’d be a leading female artist for people like me!  Not like she isn’t already… but you get what I mean.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

Touring!!!! I am working out the kinks as we speak… but I am ready to head out on the road and play outside of Nashville.  If you’d want to have me play an intimate show in your backyard, reach out to me! I want to try and hit as many cities where my fans are, so they don’t have to only watch my live streams or listen to my record 🙂 I’d love to be able to meet as many of my fans as well!  I also have a couple more music videos in the works… so stay tuned!! Lots of exciting things are coming up in 2022!