Picture of the day - June 15, 2007

Ashton Blaylock performing on "The Pickin' Porch Show"

The "hills and hollers" of southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee are home to numerous accomplished singers and musicians, many of whom are just as talented as anyone you'll find working in Nashville. And one of the finest performers of them all is 14 year old Ashton Blaylock. Cheria and I first saw young Ashton pick and sing about four years ago, and even at the tender age of ten he knew his way around a mandolin as well as anyone in the business. We could tell he really loved Bluegrass music, and on that balmy summer evening under the country music mural on State Street he treated the crowd to a number of Bluegrass favorites including the ultra-popular "Man Of Constant Sorrow" of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" fame. He strutted around on stage and sang with a voice you would expect to find in a young boy, but even back then we had the feeling that he would some day be an outstanding singer. Ashton and his dad were the featured performers on last evening's Pickin' Porch Show, and it quickly became apparent that he had indeed developed into an absolutely wonderful singer! When he walked on stage, he had a flat-top guitar in his hand instead of a mandolin, and instead of the usual Bluegrass he performed a long string of Country Music tunes, several of which were taken to the top of the charts by the great George Strait. Ashton's squeaky little boys voice that we had heard just a few years ago has since turned into the voice of a young man, and what a voice it is! Don't be surprised if you turn on your radio some day and hear Ashton Blaylock belting out a country song of his own. He certainly has the talent and drive needed to succeed in the business of Country Music, but my guess is he'll never forget his Bluegrass roots. I'm sure we'll be seeing him with a mandolin in his hands from time to time, pouring his heart and soul into yet another magnificent performance of "Man Of Constant Sorrow"!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"