Ashley Cooke: Heartbreak, Baby Blues & Her Most Personal Album

New country artist Ashley Cooke joins Off the Record with American Songwriter Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki for a lively conversation about the making of her self-titled sophomore album, the stories behind her songs, and the experiences that shaped this new chapter of her career.Cooke opens up about writing through heartbreak, family loss, and personal growth, explaining why she decided to make this record her most vulnerable yet. “I want people to really feel like they know me as a person with this record,” she says, adding that she “word vomited a lot” in the songwriting process to create music that feels relatable.Beyond the music, Cooke reflects on her unconventional journey—from performing as a child, attending Belmont University, and building a career through social media—to becoming one of country music's rising artists. She also shares her love for lyrics, her songwriting process, and why she believes the best songs come from real life.Throughout the episode, Cooke dives into standout tracks like “The Girl Who Cried Wolf,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “When We’re 30,” while discussing healing, relationships, and the courage it takes to tell the truth in song. Cooke admits she no longer writes with awards or radio in mind, saying, “I didn’t chase the radio with this record. I didn’t chase awards with this record… it just means more to me if it’s something that I care about and that the music is real.”Let’s go Off the Record with Ashley Cooke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices