Debra Ashley Makes Gospel Debut
Jacksonville, Florida housewife answers call that first came more than thirty years ago.
When Debra Ashley was a little girl, a voice inside said that she’d grow up to be something special, that she would sing. Debra dismissed the idea as a girlish dream and it wasn’t until more than thirty years later, when her singing moved family and friends to tears at her fortieth birthday party, that Ashley finally listened to that voice. After two years of writing her own songs and working with producers in Florida and Georgia, Ashley makes her gospel music debut on Angel Calling Entertainment, distributed through Angel Calling Entertainment, LLC. Visit www.debraashley.com, to purchase CD.
This personal and moving collection is tangible evidence of Ashley’s faith and persistence. She wrote all ten tracks on Keep The Faith, though she had no experience as a songwriter. “All the credit goes to God. It came from Him. It came so natural –– that’s how I know it wasn’t me,” says Ashley, who sat down and prayed before each writing session. The idea fits in perfectly with what Ashley feels is her mission. “I am here to spread God’s word through my music,” says the wife and mother of three. “The only thing that I know is to reach out to the ones who are spiritually lost in this world, who don’t know God, who don’t know that he is real.”Being lost and finding the way to God is a journey the Florida-based singer knows intimately. After growing up in the church in her hometown of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Ashley and her husband, Roy, wandered without spiritual direction during nearly a decade spent in California. Then, in 1993, the couple and their family returned to their hometown and to the church. It was there as a member of the choir that Ashley began to listen again to the voice from her childhood, telling her to sing. In 2002, armed with her divinely inspired songs, Ashley worked with several Florida producers before finding her way to Atlanta’s Real Deal Entertainment –– boxer Evander Holyfield’s production company. Real Deal provided the polish the project needed and the result is a debut release that embodies one woman’s personal and spiritual evolution. Ashley shares her journey in He Called Me, a smooth, bouncy track inspired by her own tumultuous young adulthood. In Keep The Faith, the title track and the very first song she penned, Ashley explores the power of faith and its ability to bring us through struggles big and small. She touches on the subject again with Call On Jesus, an R&B-infused groove. “Even if you feel like nothing, lost in the world, if God anoints you, you’re somebody. You can go out and do his work,” says Ashley of Anointed, a silky, poignant track that soars with the singer’s earnest and powerful belief. That insistent faith also fuels the jazzy and expressive Jesus Is Real, an engaging tribute to Christ’s sacrifice. Ashley further explores the power of Jesus and his relationship to the faithful with Get Ready, a funky, easy foot-tapper urging us to prepare for Christ’s return. On I Just Wanna Thank You, Ashley takes it to church, complete with the swell of the organ and soaring vocals, for what is, essentially, the singer’s very personal conversation with God. Beautiful Flower, another intimate and revealing gem, was written for Ashley’s close friend, Yolanda Thomas, who was just 36 when she died in 2002. “Her mother spoke at the funeral and said God don’t pick his flowers until they’re bloomed and ready,” says Ashley of her inspiration. “That stayed with me.” The last two tracks rounding out the album are two of Debra’s favorites. They include I’ll Praise Your Name, a soft, moving ballad and My God, an unabashed testimony of her love for God featuring a jazzy, soulful swing. In 2005, Ashley performed music from Keep The Faith at various events throughout the country, some of which included a recorded performance at the Urban Impact Summit, New Artist Showcase at Foxwoods Resort Casino (recorded for The Word Network) last June, as well as performances at the GMWA in Milwaukee, WI last August; the Jacksonville Gospel Fest 2005 in September; the Texas GAG Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX in November and Bobby Jones Gospel Industry Retreat - New Artist Showcase held in Fort Lauderdale, FL this past December. On March 23rd, Ashley was asked to perform at the Harlem YMCA’s “2006 National Salute To Black Achievers In Industry 36th Annual Awards Dinner” in New York City. The event, held at the prestigious New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, honors African-Americans who achieved prominent positions in business and industry and were recognized for their accomplishments. Notable attendees included Bill Cosby and Dr. Johnnetta Cole, President of Bennett College, among others. The Jacksonville artist has numerous upcoming performances planned for this spring leading up to the CD release including the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild Conference (April 20); D&J Promotions Artist Showcase in Lansing, MI (April 22); Greater St. Joseph AME Women’s Committed to Spiritual Excellence Breaking Through to Unlimited Abundance Banquet in Defuniak Springs, FL (April 29); National Association of Gospel Promoters & Managers in Atlanta, GA (May 2-7); Gospel USA Magazine Independent Music Conference in Savannah, GA (June 15 – 19) and the Urban Impact Summit at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, CN (June 25 – 27). Debra has just recently completed her first Music video “I’ll Praise Your Name”, directed by Darryl Lassiter of DDL Entertainment, filmed on-location in Miami, Florida.
Visit Debra’s website at www.debraashley.com for up-to-date tour dates and additional information.
In addition to performing, Ashley is also dedicated to helping others. After the Hurricane Katrina disaster caused havoc along the southeast coast, Debra raised and presented a check for $30,000 to the BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina Victims. She also donated $2,500.00 in Wal-Mart gift cards to hurricane Katrina victims on behalf of Angel Calling Entertainment, LLC in Laurel and Biloxi, MS as well in Fort Walton Beach, FL - cities also ravaged by the hurricane, but that received less attention and support then larger cities such as New Orleans. Additionally, 300 free singles of Keep the Faith were sent out to those who requested the music after visiting the BlackAmericaWeb.com website.
Debra Ashley is a gospel artist who’s been a long time coming and Keep The Faith is a debut worth the wait.
Debra Ashley Mission In Life
Hello my Brother and Sisters in Christ, my name is Debra Ashley, I’m a new Gospel Artist to the world but to my Heavenly Father and Creator, I’m a preserved gospel messenger for His kingdom here on earth. You see my Heavenly Father new the day he planted me in my mother’s womb what my purpose would be here on earth. So while you may ask the question, why did you wait so long, it’s because God was pruning me for His time and glory. Yes I am a messenger and I’m here to deliver the gospel to not only the lost but the saved as well. You see this is my mission it’s not impossible when it’s for His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. My mission is to help others understand that God is love and we should love one another as Christ loves us. My mission it to inspire others with my songs to let them know God is the truth and the He’s the light in tunnel when you think all hope is gone, to just hold on. I reach out to every man, woman, boy and girl, because we all need help at some point and time in this world. So you ask me what is my mission, to do God’s will here on earth, that’s to sing, praise and worship him while blessing other through my songs. God bless you and Keep you.
Just checking in. I hope your day was fabulous! If you find time I would like to invite you to read my new short stories on my blog. It's called PEEK-A-BOO! Much love! Your friend, Brian
THE PRAYZE CAFE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW MUSIC SUBMISSIONS FOR OUR RADIO BROADCAST IN THE FOLLOWING GENRES HOLY HIP HOP, SPOKEN WORD, GOSPEL HOUSE, RHYTHM & PRAISE AND URBAN CONTEMPORARY. PLEASE E MAIL YOUR COPY WRITTEN SELECTION
Thanks for supporting me! I just wanted to drop off a little love on your page! If you have time, check out one of my short stories on my blog. Your friend, Brian
NO, I WON'T STAND!!!"
So tired are these feet of mine, been catering to, and working hard for WHITE FOLKS all day long
Can't wait to give rest to them, the moment when I reach my home
Oh! Good, here comes the bus
Headed to the back I am, where the WHITE FOLKS seat US
In a SECTION that COLORED FOLKS were permitted to sit, is where I perched my behind
Stop after stop, the bus was now full, no longer available were any seats MARKED with a "WHITES ONLY" sign
To STAND the passenger could not, for it was LAW that all WHITES be seated to recline
In demand of a seat the BUS DRIVER turned to the COLORED portion of the bus' dividing line
Ordering several BLACKS from our seats he did, but, to BUDGE the body of me DECLINED
NO WAY was I to DETHRONE myself to SURRENDER a WHITE MAN a seat of mine
I paid my FARE, sat in the SECTION that DISCRIMINATION had given me
Now, to RISE for a WHITE PASSENGER because in his area no seats were empty
The COURAGE of me REFUSED to take anymore of the WHITE FOLKS desecration
From my seat COMPELLED I was, and HEADED to JAIL for an INFRINGEMENT of the rules of SEGREGATION
At the DRIVER of the BUS command, off the bus, escorted I was, by a WHITE policeman
Cuffed tightly behind my back rested my RESTRAINED hands
Now in a CELL encompassed by steel bars, the MIND, SOUL, and BODY of me had to STAND
Not for a doing of WRONG, but, for SIMPLY not GIVING what was MINE to a WHITE MAN
So TIRED was I, of being STOMPED and BEATEN by WHITE FOLKS cruelty, for possessing a FACE of a DARK SHADE
To have STOOD UP for the RIGHTS of SELF and MY PEOPLE, the PRICE to obtain EQUALITY was PAID
Now, on the BUS seated RIGHT NEXT to one another
Are the PEOPLE of WHITE FLESH and THOSE of COLOR
BY: Amelia Finley Copyright:2009
Inspired by the experience of Rosa Parks
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