ASHLEY COOKE SHINES IN NATIONAL US TELEVISION DEBUT ON ABC’S “THE BACHELORETTE”
COOKE WAS JOINED BY BRETT YOUNG TO PERFORM “NEVER TIL NOW” ON THE HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES
Credit: Craig Sjodin
NASHVILLE, TN. – (20th July, 2022) – Rising country artist Ashley Cooke made her striking national US television debut on ABC’s “The Bachelorette” on Monday, July 18th. The episode featured an intimate performance of Cooke and country superstar Brett Young’s “swirling” (MusicRow) love song “Never Til Now” on episode two of the hit romance reality series with the newest Bachelorettes, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.
After unwavering support of each other through a devastating dual breakup in the season 26 finale of “The Bachelor,” fan favourites and fierce women Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey stand by each other’s side once again as they set out on a journey to find love. Monday’s show featured Rachel’s first one-on-one date with Jordan V, before it came to an abrupt end when the professional racecar driver was sent home during the first date. In what should have ended in an intimate moment for the couple, Cooke and Young performed their “tender, romantic ballad” (Billboard) at the iconic Los Angeles Theater to the solo and somber co-Bachelorette, Rachel.
“Getting to make my TV debut is unbelievably exciting in general.. but especially getting to debut on “The Bachelorette!” It was so fun to get to marry the two worlds of TV and music and to do it all with my friend and duet partner, Brett Young,” shares Cooke. “It’s been incredible to see how my song “Never Til Now” has resonated with so many people in every phase of love whether they’ve found their person or they’re manifesting it through these lyrics. It’s an honor to get to be the voice behind the story and to get to be a small part of Rachel and Gabby’s journey to finding love.”
Monday’s episode of “The Bachelorette” is available to watch in the UK on NOW TV and Amazon Prime (via Hayu).
Originally released on her debut project Already Drank That Beer in Aug. 2021, “Never Til Now” resonated with fans far and wide across social platforms, prompting Cooke to release the reimagined love song with Young’s superstar power in April 2022. Penned by Cooke alongside hit songwriter Matt Roy, the romantic song about finding love when you least expect it topped Sirius XM’s The Highway’s Hot 30 Weekend Countdown and makes its TV debut as it continues to soar at US country radio. Upon Monday’s performance, the “superb vocal blend” (Billboard) rose to the top of the US iTunes Country charts.
Keeping her fans part of the journey, the “social media sensation turned Country music artist” (CMT) celebrated the major career milestone by inviting five lucky fans to watch the premiere with her at Nashville’s Nightscapes. See her reaction here.
With her first major TV appearance under her belt, the Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music artist continues to tour across the US this summer at some of the summer’s most anticipated fairs and festivals before Cooke gearing up to head back out on Cole Swindell’s Back Down To The Bar Tour as direct support this Autumn.
(Courtesy of Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music / BMLG Records)
ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE:
Raised between the coasts of California and Florida, Ashley Cooke is an up-and-coming country artist who is bringing authentic and honest storytelling to her music. The singer/songwriter developed her love of country music as Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line quickly became the soundtrack of high school. Cooke followed her passion for music to Belmont University where she won the Country Showcase, placing her in an elite class of winners that includes Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and more.
In Aug. 2021, Cooke released her debut project Already Drank That Beer, featuring 8 tracks written by Cooke alongside many of Nashville’s hottest songwriters. Produced by award-winner Jimmy Robbins, the debut project garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, People, Taste of Country, Sounds Like Nashville, Country Now and more. In April, Cooke enlisted Country megastar Brett Young to feature on standout track “Never Til Now” which Billboard tapped as a “superb vocal blend” proving her “bright future ahead within the country music genre” (CMT).
Last year, Cooke hit the road on tour with fellow rising acts BRELAND and Spencer Crandall and spent the first half of 2022 touring alongside Cole Swindell, Brett Young and Jordan Davis. Cooke will continue to appear at some of the summer’s hottest fairs and festivals as she gears up to release more new music via Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music before heading out on Swindell’s Back Down To The Bar Tour in fall 2022.
ABOUT BRETT YOUNG:
Brett Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed “Caliville” style. With an undeniable string of seven No. 1s – “In Case You Didn’t Know” (8X PLATINUM), “Mercy” (4X PLATINUM), “Sleep Without You” (PLATINUM) “Like I Loved You” (2X PLATINUM), “Here Tonight” (PLATINUM), “Catch” (PLATINUM) and “Lady” (PLATINUM) – and two albums defined by a transcendent romantic spark, he has cemented his status as Country’s master over matters of the heart. The star broadened his emotional scope on WEEKENDS LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS, out now along with an acoustic version via BMLG Records. The project features his current single “You Didn’t” and “Lady,” whose lyrics inspired Young’s debut children’s book LOVE YOU, LITTLE LADY, published by Tommy Nelson (an imprint of HarperCollins). Young previously debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart with his GOLD-certified TICKET TO L.A. while his PLATINUM self-titled debut dominated the Top 20 on the Country Albums chart for 37 weeks, all contributing to over 5.5 billion global streams. Young was named ASCAP’s 2018 Country Songwriter-Artist of the Year for his “melodic craftsmanship” (Billboard) and has also garnered nominations from ACM, Billboard, Teen Choice, CMT and CMA Awards as he continues to rack xup nonstop hits as “one of country’s most consistent radio stars” (Rolling Stone). Alongside Shay Mooney and Bear Rinehart, Young also penned “Long Way Home (From The Motion Picture ‘Father Stu’),” a new song featured in the Sony Pictures film starring Academy Award Nominee® Mark Wahlberg. For tour dates and more, visit BrettYoungMusic.com.
ABOUT “THE BACHELORETTE”:
On this season of ABC’s hit primetime reality series “The Bachelorette,” two lucky women are offered the chance to find true love. The eligible bachelorettes embark on a romantic journey, getting to know a number of handsome men, gradually narrowing the field as they continue their search for their soul mates. At the end of this romantic voyage, if they have found the one, will there be a proposal – and will they say yes? “The Bachelorette” is a production of Next Entertainment and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon.