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from Ashley 1/29/05

Happy New Year to all of you. Thanks to those of you who have written and those of you who participated in the trivia contest as well. I'm happy with my new label: Rambler which will be distributed by Word. I'm looking forward to having the new record out in a couple of weeks--it was a pleasure to record it and it will be a pleasure to perform it. I've been playing a lot of the hymns on it live for years already but there will be a few that you haven't heard--those of you that have seen me play. Let me know what you think. I've written a foreword and a general outline for a book idea I have which will be similar in style and approach to the stuff I've already written. I don't know if I have the guts to actually see it through but I'm thinking I have the guts to ease into it and see what happens. There are a couple of tour opportunities in the works in addition to the dates up already at the site so maybe I'll get to some of the places you've requested this year--I hope so. And--just as I say every year--I'm hoping to stay on top of the mail here a bit better. So here goes: Chris MacIntosh--would love to co-host your radio show sometime. What do you play? William Harvey--thank you for the lovely letter and your prayer offer. You can pray that we'll find reliable help with our kids when I'm traveling and Kenny's juggling work and family--that would be great. thanks Fred Morgan--love the Trump joke--would be glad to play in Maryland w/ or w/out B&J--although I always love w/. I love Buddy's record--I'm so tickled that it was nominated for a Grammy--so deserving. Thanks--as always--for carrying my torch. Bryan Steelman--I got such a kick out of your idea to give SS to your minister--I hope he is mended and that you are having a fine start to your year as well. Susan Preece--the Swallow usually sells the c.d.'s behind the bar but if you're there let me know and if I need help I'll holler. Drew Mitchell--glad you got the photo--hope you like the record. Richard Smith--the tab is my thanks to you for the LOL c.d.--hope you, Ruth and girls are all thriving. I have a dear friend who needs surgery for carpal tunnel (sp?). Know any great surgeons in Nashville? Craig Johnson--your welcome and come back for a visit sometime. Michael Shaw--nothing on dvd that I know of--unless the series "The Road" went to dvd (I haven't heard that it did). Thanks for the interest. Peter Dearstyne--Have you been digging out up there or did the gale force snow storm miss you? I can't remember what commercials I've done--I'ld have to research it. I did a Heinz t.v. spot once; there was a Bellsouth spot--or was it AT&T; I did a local radio and t.v. spot for the Tennessean newspaper. I can't remember the rest--but frankly there haven't been that many--I don't really have a jingle voice (or so I've been told). I do remember going to sing background on a jingle when I first moved here and when I got to the session the producer said "Who are you?". When I told him he said they had expected a man; apparently my cassette was defective and running slow. Vanessa--how's your nephew, Justin holding up? What a marvelous thing he's doing!! O.k.--take care and sing hymns!! AC posted: 01.29.2005 | 19:30:19 | post number: 1

Summer 2005

I hope you're all having a cool summer in the midst of this ridiculous heat wave--I have to walk my dogs in the middle of the night. We've had a great time so far though--it seems unreal that my kids will be back in school in three weeks but somehow I always seem to be ready when it comes...I leave for Sedona and Boulder tomorrow for some drug and alcohol convention work but I am so behind on the mail that I thought I would answer a bit of it and get to the rest in the next couple of weeks. I hope to see many of you in the fall--btw--it was fantastic to see people wearing the a-list tees at Cornerstone. Many thanks (as always)to Julee Brand--my art director of choice, and Rose--always Rose. Julie Bradley--I am planning to make tracks to the hymns available but there is a bit of work involved and I'm in the middle of finishing another record. I should have something in the next few months. Thanks for writing. Mike Ehret--I met Steve Winwood several years ago in Nashville--he married a Nashville girl and has a home here. I sang back up for him at a local awards show and then got to know him because he and his family were attending our church. He led worship with me one Sunday and I asked him if he would consider doing a duet with me on a hymn--he loves old hymns also and agreed. That's the story. Glad you like the record. Kate Lorish-Balistreri--I would be glad to sing/speak to a rehab group or half way house at whatever point I'm in the area--that is a big part of my own recovery and I am glad to know that you're using my songs and recordings to support such a life changing cause. I don't know when the opportunity will arise--keep an eye on the schedule and let me know when something is close. I pray many angels encamp around your son, Justin. I too have only one son and he is precious to me. Matthey Christian--so happy to hear that my music is in Switzerland--I have visited that spectacular country once as a teenager and never forgot the beauty of it. Thanks for writing. Joe Trester--thanks for including me in your worship services--so many pastors have played a huge role in my life and faith--it is wonderful to think that I've returned the favor. Thanks for writing. Chris MacIntosh--sorry you had trouble at C-stone. You sure were a great help to me--thanks so much. Larry Kirwan--let me know which record you get and what you think of it. Stan Friedman--enjoyed reading your article and talking with you. Good luck on the Brennan tribute. Lorne Anderson--I don't think there will be another single so you're welcome to play anything you like. My personal favorites are Come Ye Sinners, All Creatures Of Our God and King and Precious Lord. Deana Z.--No immediate plans for Austin but I have some friends working on it--keep checking the schedule. And--keep playing that guitar girl!! Christiaan Hofstra--yes indeed--Chad and Glenn have both played on my records and have been in Mark Knopfler's band for several years now. Vivi Biel--thanks so much for writing and tell your sister thanks from me for passing my music on to you. Mark Pimpo--would love to hear McCall's version of Walk To The Well. Send it to my P.O.--Box 50181, Nashville, TN 37205. Thanks for writing and I hope she gets into Berklee with flying colors. Joseph Ostrander--thank you for including There's A Light in your parents' memorial--Beth Chapman wrote that song as her husband Ernest was dying of cancer and I sang it at his memorial. I'ld be glad to sing it at Elk Grove--although I don't play the piano so I'll have to sing it acapella--and I'ld love to sign your c.d. Just let me know you're there. Nanci Peters--my booking agency is Street Level Artists and their number is 574-269-3413. Thanks so much for your interest. Susan Ray--I thought about you recently because I met someone at Laity Lodge (you should absolutely attend a retreat there--it is extraordinary) who had been at the Houston concert. I do remember you and I have your deeply loved bible. I'm glad you're singing--I'ld love to be in a black choir myself. If you don't already have the hymn record let me know and I'll send it to you--maybe your choir can work up one of the arrangements. I'll look forward to crossing your path again one day. That's it for now but I'll get back to this journal soon and answer the rest of the mail. Meanwhile, I have a couple of fantastic books to recommend: The Brothers K by David James Duncan is the best book I've read in years. Matt Odmark of Jars Of Clay gave it to me as a favorite of his and I am ever in his debt--I can't tell you how moved I was by it. Also--Salvation On Sand Mountain by Dennis Covington is another favorite this summer. One of my book club buddies, Sue Perkins recommended it for June and we all loved it. Find a hammock. AC posted: 07.26.2005 | 08:24:00 | post number: 2

more summer 2005

Hi everyone--I'ld like to answer more of the mail starting with February. I know this is redundant but if you write me, it may take six months for me to reply but I love to hear from you and will reply to most of the mail. If it's time sensitive, flag it for Rose--she is so good about getting me things. Thanks for the birthday greetings to Crystal Davis, Susan Preece, Mark Stephenson, Rennie Stagnaro, Diane Woodring, Martha Henson, Fred Morgan and Ted Griffin. Susan and Crystal--lovely, as always to see you at the Swallow; Diane--same with you and Brian at the Bluebird; I think your Caroline Grace is darling--hope you're having a great summer. Mark--I sang Invitational Blues on a Rex Carroll record--I think my buddy Phil Madeira wrote that song but I don't remember it so I don't refer to it. I'll dig around and see if I have a copy of the record--might be fun to work up. Thanks for the being a steadfast fan--truly, it's people like you who have given me a career in music. Pat Ammentorp--thanks for the birthday greeting and your wonderful letter--I love the tattoo story--you have courage, hope and a sense of humor--what a wicked combination!! I'll be in Milwaukee this fall I think--maybe I'll see you there. Demaris L. Myer--Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 10th with Bruce Carroll and Bob Bennett. Thanks for writing. Lisa Lombardo and Martha Henson--Connecticut in October (I know it's not your church Lisa but is it close enough to you? Hope so). Martha--I'll be spending my 49th and final (...) birthday on the KT cruise next year--will that be your 50th? I must say--for me fifty is a bit daunting. O.K.--my dogs are barking (Curtis and Trixey--not my feet) so it must be time to go to the park. More soon. AC posted: 08.03.2005 | 04:59:40 | post number: 3