Meet Ashtyn Barbaree

We were lucky to catch up with Ashtyn Barbaree recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ashtyn with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I think my work ethic really comes from my mom. She raised me on her own, worked multiple jobs, and took me with her to grad school. I watched her become a civil engineer in a space where there weren’t many women, and when the housing market crashed, she found new ways to keep us going. She taught me that you show up, you adapt, and you stay steady even when things are uncertain.
I started playing in bars when I was about 13. Long sets for not much money, learning how to hold my own, sometimes with patrons who weren’t very kind. But I loved the music, so I kept at it. Early on, I was playing around 300 shows a year across Arkansas and nearby states. Some days I’d play a farmers’ market in the morning, a private event in the afternoon, and a brewery or pub at night. I just said yes to every chance to make music and get better.
That combination of watching my mom’s resilience and finding my voice in those early shows shaped the way I work now. I care a lot about what I do, and I try to give it everything I have.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an independent Americana singer-songwriter and performing artist based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I make music that leans into vulnerability, storytelling, and the emotional landscapes we all move through. My sound blends Folk, Alt-Country, and Americana, rooted in the Ozarks where I grew up, but shaped by experiences touring internationally and collaborating across different music communities.

What feels most special to me about this work is the connection it creates. There’s something incredibly meaningful about sharing songs that come from personal experience and having someone say, “I’ve felt that too.” What keeps me going is knowing the songs can make someone feel understood or less alone.

This past year has been especially exciting. I released a new full-length album called Sent Through The Ceiling, which reached #44 on the Alt Country Specialty Charts. It’s an album I hold very close, exploring themes of resilience, healing, and finding your voice again after loss or change. I produced the album myself and recorded it here in my home state with an all-Arkansan team, which made the process feel deeply rooted and intentional. Performing these songs live and watching them resonate with people has been incredibly meaningful.

I was also honored to be named Americana Artist of the Year at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards, a moment that felt especially significant coming from the community that raised me.

Right now, I’m focused on bringing my music to new regions and writing a lot, with hopes to return to the studio and record more soon.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things have been most impactful in my journey. First, resilience. Watching my mom navigate challenges growing up taught me the importance of staying steady and creative when things don’t go as planned. In music, that meant learning to handle rejection, long tours, and unpredictable circumstances without losing momentum.

Second, consistency and work ethic. I started out at 13 playing long bar shows for little pay, and eventually toured internationally. I learned that showing up, being reliable, returning contracts and stage plots promptly, and putting in the work matters more than talent alone. Taking every opportunity seriously and practicing regularly built the foundation for everything that came later.

Third, adaptability and curiosity. Touring, collaborating with different musicians, and recording in a variety of settings taught me to stay flexible and open to new ideas. I make a point to do things that make me uncomfortable regularly, because that’s where growth happens.

For anyone starting out, I’d say: keep showing up, stay open to learning, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The work, the setbacks, and the curiosity all add up to a career that’s both sustainable and meaningful.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

I love performing in listening-room settings, house concerts, and small ticketed venues where people are fully engaged and present. Those spaces create a real connection, and the music can be felt and shared in a way that’s really special.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashtynbarbaree.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missashtyn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashtynbarbaree/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AshtynBarbaree
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ashtynbarbaree
• Other: https://linktr.ee/ashtynbarbaree

Image Credits

Steven Veach