Local artists break onto the music scene Posted: Friday, July 8, 2011 8:01 pm
Fourteen-year-old Ashley Mitchell,from the one stoplight town of Greenfield, discovered her passion for music at age six. She enjoys expressing herself through songwriting and is currently learning to play the guitar and writing songs constantly. She has competed over the years in several vocal competitions and is always looking for opportunities to entertain an audience. In May, Mitchell was the first female to win the WEIO 100.9 Farmerican Idol talent search held at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in Huntington. Also, in May Ashley was named as the 2011 over-all Winner of the Kentucky Opry Talent Search. Most recently, she was awarded runner-up in the WYNN 106.9 West TN Idol out of Jackson.
This will be her first year to participate in the Kentucky Opry Stars of Tomorrow show and she looks forward to the experience she will gain and lessons she will learn from the great group of professionals at the Kentucky Opry and the other stars” in the show. Mitchell’s influences include the likes of Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Linda Davis and Whitney Duncan
“A small country church, country living and lots of close family have been the strongest influences in my life,” she admitted.
To find out more information about future performances or to receive more information, go to Mitchell’s Facebook page.
Sara Morgan Collier of South Fulton, 19-year-old country starlet on the rise, is about to invade the music scene and her fans are delighted. Taking cues from her idols — Carrie Underwood and Shania Twain — Miss Collier favors songs that encourage young girls to become strong, confident women. The stories in her songs convey the message always to have faith in yourself. The promising young singer, who is the daughter of Amy Parnell and Wes Collier, both of South Fulton, got her musical start at Fulton First Baptist Church, where the preacher encouraged her to sing solo in front of the congregation.
The adrenaline of that first live performance, when she was about 11 years old, made it clear Miss Collier has a calling and revealed her talents as a singer and as a performer. She says she hasn’t stopped singing since and her new venues include festivals, schools, charity events, talent shows and competitions. The promising young entertainer, who began vocal training several years ago, is improving her guitar playing and trying her hand at song writing, as well. She recently performed at Relay for Life events and she will be featured at a benefit concert in Murray, Ky., this fall. She also does karaoke whenever the opportunity arises.
“I like to sing everything, but my voice and accent seem to fit country better than most other types,” says the 2010 South Fulton High School graduate. “My producer, Teddy Gentry of the group Alabama, picked the songs for my first recording session. They will be premiered on the radio soon and they’re available for listening now at my website or by contacting me or my grandmother, Cynthia Fulcher of South Fulton, for a copy.”
Miss Collier recently transferred from Murray State University, where she was majoring in nursing and minoring in music, to Paducah (Ky.) Community College, where she can complete her studies sooner and concentrate on singing.
The result of her debut recording session is three songs: “You Can’t Love Me From Over There,” “Shut Me Up” and “Settle Down.” The songs are “catchy” and “highly relatable,” her fans say.
The beautiful and talented young newcomer to the country music scene believes music provides an escape from the chaotic world and her goal is to be a role model and to inspire people through her songs. Miss Collier is the granddaughter of Fred and Barbara Collier of Fulton and Norman and Cynthia Fulcher of South Fulton.
To learn more about her music and hear her talent, go to http://www.myspace.com/saramorgancollier. wcp 7/7/11 None | 
