In the world of an up and coming artist, every opportunity counts. For Ayla Brown of American Idol fame, she has found her opportunities beginning to blossom since recently moving to Nashville. Her latest good fortune came in the form of landing a slot opening up for Darius Rucker at Let Freedom Sing, this year’s Fourth of July concert at Riverfront Park in Nashville hosted by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Brown sang the National Anthem with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra at last year’s event and noted, “I didn’t think it could get any better than that until they offered me a full set in this year’s festivities.”
Battling a head cold for a couple days prior to the event, Brown mustered up the voice that has been taking her places and put on a dynamic performance. With a full band and an assortment of new songs, Brown took command of the stage and proceeded to cover the remaining half-empty lawn at Riverfront Park with appreciative listeners and fans.
Brown’s new style of country rock is very radio friendly and is a huge change of direction compared to the style of music she sang on American Idol. Her fans have eagerly embraced her foray into the country music genre and gave her an exuberant greeting as she took the stage.
The audience was treated to a variety of songs penned by Brown and other Nashville notables. The second song in her set was “Goodbye For Good”, an upbeat country rocker that was recently the top-selling country song on Cdbaby.com and is currently tracking at number four on their country chart.
Having access to the Nashville songwriting community has been a boon for Brown. Songs such as “Matches and Gasoline” that she co-wrote with Emily Shackelton and Phil Barton, as well as “Pride of America” that she co-wrote with Courtney Dashe helped showcase Brown’s maturing talent. Having songwriter/musician/producer Charlie Hutto onstage and in the studio with her has also been a tremendous asset.
Brown finished her set with “Country Found Me,” a song that she considers her personal anthem.
Following her show, Brown signed autographs and Ayla Brown memorabilia at the merchant booth as well as posed for photos with supportive fans.
The 2011 Let Freedom Sing experience was “incredible” according to Brown. She said, “I couldn’t ask for a better city to live in. Throughout the day people stopped me and they said they loved my music and my set, and that meant the world to me. Some of them could even remember song melodies or titles and that was amazing!”
Brown even took the time to enjoy the rest of the concert with visiting family and friends. Such is a day in the life of an up and coming artist in Nashville.
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