I truly am a neglectful blogger.  For that I apologize.  I do have some good news though.  My song ‘Linda’ off of my 2007 album ‘Another Year Or So’ was nominated for Best New Folk Song for the Just Plain Folks Music Awards.  The award show was held in ....Nashville.... on August 29^th.  Much like the character Linda, her namesake song was not ultimately a winner.  However, being that only 1/3 of 1% of the songs submitted even received a nomination, it was (ahem) an honor just to be nominated. 

‘Linda’ has been posted to the site for your listening pleasure along with my newly recorded unreleased song ‘Sometime’ featuring the brilliant Cathie Van Wert on fiddle.

And check out Just Plain Folks at www.jpfolks.com.  Just Plain Folks is a community of over 51,500 Songwriters, Recording Artists and Music Industry Professionals — and host to the world's largest independent music awards.  It’s one of the best grassroots organizations out there for independent musicians.

Forever yours,

Naomi

P.S.  I’m wearing Valentino.

It has recently been brought to my attention that I haven't updated my blog since early in the summer.  SO SORRY!  I have actually had a lot to say – too much to say.  Too much trapped inside.  If you've been following along I finished RAGBRAI & have the pics to show for it.  I've been playing around town quite a bit and thank all of you for coming out and supporting!  Oh and we have a new president elect . . . I forget his name but apparently it has historical consequence and I was in Grant Park when they announced his victory.
 
Cathie and I are at the Horseshoe (opening for Cathie's other band – Medicine Hat) the day after Thanksgiving (that's November 28^th, 10PM) and my Mom & Dad will be there.  It's always especially fun to have them there as the song 'First Time I Saw You I Was Drunk' is inspired by and written about my mother Judy or 'Mean Jude' as she is often called.
 

Many of you don't know that Mean Jude inspired a beer of the same name.  It's sort of a cross between a Guiness and Newcastle only a little sweeter and a higher alcohol content.  Sort of like the real Judy.  If you stop by the Rock Bottom Brewery in Cleveland, OH you may just find it on the Specialty Beer list. 

I may have a surprise gig or two in December but the plan is to take some time off until the after the holidays.  We'll be back in December with plenty o' new dates and songs.  In the meantime check out shows playing at some of my favorite clubs.  It's always a good time for live music.

www.acorntheater.com

www.fitzgeraldnighclub.com

www.evanstonspace.com

If it seems like I'm rambling it's because I am rambling.  I'm a rambler.

Happy Holidays.

Love,

Naomi

I'm taking the month of JULY off!!  What am I doing you ask?  I'll be riding my bicycle across Iowa in RAGBRAI with my dad.  We did it last year and it was incredible.  So you'll have to get your fix by listening to my acclaimed album 'Another Year Or So'.  If you're patient I promise to reward you with new songs and a picture of me in Lycra bicycle shorts.  Which (and I know this may surprise you) is not as appealing as it sounds. I'll be back August 1^st at the Charleston so put it on your calendar.  I'll be there with the wonderful Cathie Van Wert on fiddle and the inspired Emery Langmar on the upright bass PLUS a special mystery band member.  He may be an already renowned Chicago instrumentalist or I may be building him in my basement.  In the meantime here are some amazing Chicago musicians to fall in love with:

Sarah Holtschlag & Her band Ester of Ashland

Robert McShane

The Long Gone Lonesome Boys

Note all of these people are among my 'top friends' on my myspace page. 

See you later, baby.  August is right around the corner.

Naomi

I got a nice mention in David Byrne's weekly article "Pop Making Sense" in the Windy City Times:

"One of Chicago's best kept secrets, Naomi Ashley, will be performing at The Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood, May 31 and at Schuba's, 3159 N. Southport, June 1. The Midwest breeds a certain pedigree of Americana singer-songwriters and Ashley proves worthy to be in this class on her latest Another Year or So. Her material, like "Dangerous" and "That Kind of Girl," seamlessly balances on the twang of bluegrass, the storytelling of folk and troubles associated with country music."

I kind of like the idea of being one of Chicago's best kept secrets.  However, I really wish Chicago would confide more in people who are likely to come out to shows.  I mean, don't get me wrong, you can really trust Chicago.  Chicago, isn't going to blab about your business to say Milwaukee or South Bend but, you know, there are some cases where it's okay to tell.  So if you see Chicago, tell her that you know about me and that she doesn't have to carry the burden of my vast talents on her shoulders alone.  TELL THE WORLD!!!  Or at least tell Rockford.  Rockford can't keep a secret to save his life.

Oh and check out David Byrne's weekly column in the Windy City Times.  It's a nice review of what's going on in music both nationally and locally:

 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=18467

Sincerely,

Naomi

P.S.  Thanks to all of you that did come out to SCHUBAS last night!  Phenomenal sound & staff.  We had a great time!

I'm playing two shows this weekend and you'll want to go to both.  On Saturday, May 31^st ~ 9:00pm, you can see me in a rare solo performance at The Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood in Rogers Park (Chicago).  I am on the bill with handsome and talented, Matthew Francis Anderson and Luke Sayers.  All singer-songwriter show!  And I KNOW you love your singer-songwriters.

ALSO, on SUNDAY, JUNE 1^st ~ 8:00pm, I begin the month of my birth by playing a show with the full band at SCHUBAS, 3159 N. Southport (Chicago).  It's our first time out to this esteemed Chicago venue and we're opening for The Everybodyfields from Knoxville, TN. 

Only a couple more chances to see me live for awhile.  I'm taking most of June and all of July off to train for something.  I'm not sure what yet.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Love,

Naomi