It's probably not a lucky coincidence that Ashleigh Dallas, a precociously talented 18-year-old with bags of natural charm, just happens to have been born and raised in Tamworth, the Home of Australian Country Music.
If being surrounded by the music her whole life, thanks largely to her father and brother, wasn't enough of an incentive for this blue-eyed starlet to become involved in it herself, then being plucked from obscurity to share a stage with one of the biggest stars of the genre, ought to have done the trick.
Ashleigh Dallas: Steeped in Country Music
"I grew up in an extremely musical family," explains the up-and-coming artist, referring to her musical background. "There are three generations of the Dallas Family involved in the Australian country music industry. I guess from an early age I always knew that music was what I wanted to do as my job.
"My dad, Brett Dallas, is my main influence and has taught me pretty much everything I know about playing. He used to let me get up and play with the family band to enhance my improvisational skills and he always jammed with my big brother, Lindsay, and myself.
"My mum tells me, that when I was four I talked of how I wanted to be a fiddle player. I started playing fiddle when I was six, guitar and mandolin when I was 10 and songwriting when I was twelve.
"Outside of my family, I always remember Slim Dusty, The Carter Family and Merle Haggard playing around the house. My own sound is country, I guess that’s the best way to describe it.
"I love bluegrass and alternative country like Buddy and Julie Miller too, so I guess they all come together in my sound. I have always been a country music fan. Growing up in Tamworth and my family have probably helped with that, but I do like listening to other genres as well - I just love music."
Ashleigh Dallas: Exciting Times Ahead
Two thousand and twelve looks set to be an exciting year for the hotshot musician, with her first album in the pipeline, the release of her first single, You Don't Care, and a series of live shows with friend and mentor, Kasey Chambers.
"Yes, I wrote You Don’t Care," replies the joint-winner of the Youth Achievement Award at the Golden Fiddle Awards in January 2011, when I enquire as to its authorship "and was lucky to have my mate, Kasey Chambers, step up to the producing role. It was great fun to record this track and I look forward to the rest of the album.
"I had some of my favourite musicians play on it; Colin Watson, John Watson, Shane Nicholson and James Haselwood and am excited to head back into the studio soon.
"My hometown of Tamworth just finished their annual Country Music Festival, celebrating 40 years. I performed with my own band at The Pub and also with Kasey at her show at Wests Blazes."
Ashleigh Dallas and Kasey Chambers: A Perfect Musical Pairing
"I attended the Senior Academy of Country Music in 2010 held in Tamworth," recalls Ashleigh, reflecting on how she first came to know and work with one of her musical heroes. "A part of the two-week course is that some of the music industry's best come and give you their knowledge and advice.
"Kasey attended the Academy to talk to the students about songwriting and her musical experiences. At the end of the course, all the students perform at the Graduation Concert. Kasey, her dad, Bill Chambers, and Beccy Cole all stayed to watch the concert. That night, I played fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar in the band for my group and also performed an original song.
"The next morning, Kasey called me, after asking a friend for my number, to ask me if I would like to go along to her dad's show at The Pub that afternoon and play. I went in and played fiddle for the gig and sang a few songs.
"A day or two after that gig, Kasey called me again and asked if I would like to join her band for the Little Bird Tour. I was pretty stoked that one of Australia’s leading artists was offering me a spot in her band and tour.
"We did a three-month tour around Australia, and Kasey asked me to join her band permanently. I have now been touring with Kasey and her family for a year and a half, and have toured most of the Australian states and also a two week tour in the United States.
"It is pretty cool to be working alongside an artist that I looked up to when I was a little kid and to be able to have a great friendship with her and her family is one of my favourite things. They are like my second family."
Suite101: Which other Australian country singers do you admire?
"I feel very lucky to share the stage with Kasey, which has led me to play music with her dad, Bill Chambers, and husband Shane Nicholson. Also playing with some of the best country musicians, including Jeff McCormack, John Watson and Michael Muchow.
"In a few weeks, there is The Foggy Mountain Jam, where we can jam alongside a bunch of artists like Troy Casser-Daley, so I am really looking forward to that."
Ashleigh Dallas: Career Highlights
Great things are expected of this dynamic former child prodigy - an ambitious and hugely gifted young pretender, who has been given the best possible start on the road to stardom by having had the good fortune to learn her trade from seasoned pros, including her father, brother and Kasey Chambers.
"Touring Australia with Kasey, playing some of the biggest festivals Australia has to offer, such as The Byron Bay Blues Festival and Gympie, touring the States for two weeks, and attending the OZ Country Music Festival in Fiji," muses Ashleigh, selecting some stand-out moments from her career to date.
"Recording and releasing my first single was also a massive thrill for me. 2012 will see the release of my album, so it’s a very exciting year, but yet a lot of hard work to go."
Adrian Peel - Adrian is an English freelance writer and journalist currently living in Mexico. Over the past eight years, he has had articles, features ...
Join the Conversation