Powerhouse songwriter behind Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton & more

Music is way more fun when you’re drinking $20 beers and you can’t see the stage from behind a 6-foot giant. Only half-kidding… 🥴

Welcome to the inaugural post of Show & Tell — a little corner of the internet where you get to experience my obsession with live music firsthand! Overall, the vibes are going to be chill and friendly. It’s incredibly brave and difficult to be a live performer and even their worst day is more than I can do.

Vibe Check is an emoji rating on the crowd — did they say “woOooOo!!” when asked how they were and put their phones away? You know, basic concert etiquette.

Mic Check is an emoji rating on the show itself — set decoration, stage presence, musicianship, etc. We’re celebrating the skill of performance.

I hope the Show & Tell series inspires you to go watch music in your neck of the woods!

Ashley Monroe: 2025 Tour

Artist Website

Opener: Striking Matches

Venue: The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA – Feb. 23, 2025

Vibe Check: 🍕

Mic Check: 🤘🏽

Wild Love

I started listening to Ashley Monroe in 2011 after being introduced to her as one-third of Pistol Annies, a Country trio made up of Ashley, Miranda Lambert, and Angaleena Presley. Ashley is a longtime collaborator and songwriter for Miranda and it wasn’t too difficult for me to take the leap into Ashley’s solo catalog.

My first time seeing Ashley live was in 2013 on Miranda’s Miranda: Locked & ReLoaded Tour when she and the Pistol Annies showed up as the surprise guest.

Ashley’s set was a very stripped down, only accompanied by the two guitarists from her openers Striking Matches for the more vibrant songs. When she wanted to get even more intimate, she played solo on the piano.

Ashley played several covers from Grant Parsons, The Beach Boys, and some songs she had written with Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton.

The absolute highlight of my night was making great conversation with the guy at the merch table! I bought the vinyl of Like a Rose (2013) and he offered to set it aside for me so I didn’t have to lug it around the whole show. I came by after to pick it up and he got Ashley to sign a copy addressed to me 😭😭😭. I was so dumbfounded I almost forgot to say thank you.

Ch-check One-Two

“Wild Love” from her 2018 album Sparrow was on my 2024 manifestation playlist. Hearing her play it live with the person I asked for is a crazy, beautiful experience.