“Dear Dolly,” Tucker Wetmore & Chasing the Nashville Dream | Ashley Anne
Ashley Anne's journey to Nashville hasn't happened overnight.
The rising country-folk singer-songwriter joined Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza in an interview filmed in May 2025 to talk about “Dear Dolly,” her Call Me When You Land EP, moving from Virginia Beach to Nashville and the sacrifices that came with chasing music full-time.
Since then, her career has continued to grow—including getting the opportunity to open for Tucker Wetmore as she reaches increasingly larger country audiences.
Ashley Anne discusses “Dear Dolly,” Call Me When You Land and the personal songwriting behind her growing country-folk career.
From “Dear Dolly” to Viral Success
Ashley began writing songs at just 11 years old, drawing inspiration from her grandmother, her upbringing and the country music she grew up loving.
Years later, “Dear Dolly” became a breakout moment.
The song generated millions of streams and viral attention online, introducing a much larger audience to Ashley's deeply personal style of songwriting.
Alongside songs like “She Ain't Texas,” it helped establish an aesthetic fans have described as “Coastal Grandmother meets Country Music.”
The Stories Behind Call Me When You Land
Ashley's debut EP Call Me When You Land takes listeners deeper into her life.
Tony Mendoza interviews country-folk singer-songwriter Ashley Anne for Heart of the Gulch in Nashville.
During her Heart of the Gulch conversation, she opens up about the experiences behind the songs and some of the difficult periods that came with pursuing a career in music—including couch surfing while trying to make the dream work.
Those experiences ultimately became part of the honest storytelling at the center of her music.
From CMA Fest to Opening for Tucker Wetmore
Ashley Anne performs her original music during an intimate studio performance for Heart of the Gulch in Nashville.
That persistence is beginning to pay off.
Ashley reflects on moving to Nashville and reaching early milestones like performing on the Hard Rock Stage at CMA Fest.
Her career has continued moving forward since this interview, including opening for Tucker Wetmore, giving Ashley the opportunity to bring her music to an even larger audience.
It's a significant step for an artist who once had to couch surf just to keep chasing the career she wanted.
What's Next for Ashley Anne
Country-folk singer-songwriter Ashley Anne delivers a stripped-down performance following her conversation with Heart of the Gulch.
Ashley is continuing to build on the momentum of “Dear Dolly,” Call Me When You Land and a growing live audience while developing the next chapter of her music.
From writing songs at 11 to viral success, CMA Fest and opening for Tucker Wetmore, Ashley Anne's story is becoming one of persistence—and she's still only getting started.
Watch Ashley Anne on Heart of the Gulch
Watch the full Ashley Anne interview, filmed in May 2025, as she joins Tony Mendoza to discuss “Dear Dolly,” “She Ain't Texas,” Call Me When You Land, moving to Nashville, CMA Fest and the sacrifices behind her country music career.
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
