| Singing competition draws local interest |
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A Franklin County teenager with ties to Obion County will compete with 24 other young rising country music stars Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Nashville Hall of Fame Lounge.
Ashleigh Cole, 17, daughter of Donnie and Kim Cole of Estill Springs, will compete for the right to have a song played in three months of rotations at CATZ Satellite Radio, which is sponsoring the contest. Her father is formerly of Obion and her mother is formerly of Union City.
Miss Cole is the sister of Donna Lee Northam of Union City and Shane Cole of Rives. She is the granddaughter of Cordella Cole and the late Carnel Cole of Obion; Sandra Mayo Newsom of Jackson, formerly of Union City; and the late Don Robinson of Tiptonville. She also has several aunts, uncles and cousins who live in the county.
She has been singing since age 3 and on Saturday recorded her first song, “Cry.” It is an original song and the one she plans to sing Tuesday night. She will also be flying to Los Angeles in December, where she plans to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” live for more than 20,000 people during the CEO Space convention.
At an early age she trained at the Kasper School of Music in Nashville. She was in the choir in junior high and continued in high school. She is a member of the contemporary gospel group Won by One.
Miss Cole was recently contacted through StarSearchCasting.com for an interview/audition for the talent show, “Best New Talent.” A producer called and informed her mother that the young singer was beyond competition stage and a producer wanted to meet her and hear her sing. Miss Cole and her mother, who serves as her manager, flew to Los Angeles, where she met with Christina Aguilera’s producer Ron Harris at his home.
“He talked to us for a bit, trying to help ease her nerves. He made fun of our southern slang a little but said he could sit there all night just to hear us talk,” said Mrs. Cole, adding that once the producer heard her daughter sing he wanted to sign a contract right then.
Mrs. Cole said she had to remind them the young singer was still in school.
“He wanted Ashleigh to work with him on co-writing, then sing/record her songs. We were looking at over a month in L.A. It just wasn’t feasible at the time, so we had to decline for the time being,” explained Mrs. Cole.
The duo has since returned to L.A. for an entrepreneur program in order to learn the ropes. While Miss Cole was there with more than 1,200 people, she had the chance to perform. She had no idea Celine Dion’s producer Jeff Bova was in the audience scouting for new talent. He is now Miss Cole’s new producer and a member of her advisory board.
Everyone who can is urged to attend the contest and support the young singer as the judges look at audience reaction as a factor in their final decision. The judges will be from Show Dog Records — Toby Keith’s label.
The top three scorers will receive airtime for their songs. “We especially would appreciate any community support from our hometown folks in Obion County Tuesday night,” her mother said.
Those who can’t attend or those who simply want a preview before Tuesday night may listen to Miss Cole sing her rendition of Ms. Dion’s “I Drove All Night” and Martina McBride’s “Wild Angels” at www.ashleighbrooke.starsearchcasting.com. The songs may be accessed by clicking on the media icon below her photo.
Published in The Messenger on 11.19.07 |
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