Mornings With Doc

By Michael “Doc” Studard | Kickin Kountry 101 – Indie Spotlight

Eighteen-year-old singer Tasha Ann has the kind of voice that stops you mid-conversation. It’s seasoned, soulful, and steady—something you expect from someone twice her age. Yet, when she laughs, it’s pure youth—bright, quick, and still a little surprised by how fast her life is changing.

Rooted in Faith, Growing in Country

Like so many Southern singers before her, Tasha Ann’s story starts in church. Her mother was a worship leader, and those early Sundays set her foundation. “I didn’t really grow up listening to country music,” she tells me, “I always listened to Christian because that’s what Mom played. But one day I thought—let’s try country—and I loved it.”

Faith never left her; it simply expanded its borders. “I pray before every show,” she says. “I always think about the songs first. I ask myself, is this a good song to sing?” She may perform everything from Miranda Lambert to The Climb, but even her covers are filtered through conviction and connection. “The Lord can move wherever,” she smiles. “That’s how I see it.”

A God-Thing Connection and a Growing Career

Every artist needs that one believer who sees their spark. For Tasha Ann, it was Dale—a guitarist who, by what she calls “a God-thing,” stepped into her path. “My mom knew him from church,” she recalls. “He just called one day and said, ‘Can I play for your daughter?’ and that’s how it started.”

From that first Fourth-of-July food-truck gig to writing sessions and regular shows, Dale became her right-hand man and mentor. “When Dale came along, everything made sense,” she says. “He pushed me to take it seriously.” Together they began booking, recording, and dreaming bigger.

Beyond the Stage: The Heart of Who She Is

When she’s not singing, Tasha Ann can be found working at an assisted-living facility—a job she cherishes. “It’s not glamorous,” she says, “but it’s special.” For someone chasing a music career, that choice speaks volumes. It’s not about spotlight—it’s about service. “The residents remind me what really matters,” she adds.

And when she’s off the clock? She’s still performing—just in pointe shoes instead of boots. “I’ve been dancing since I was four,” she says, eyes lighting up. This year she’s part of a full production of The Nutcracker. “It’s a big deal, and I’m so excited. Between that, music, and work… sleep doesn’t happen much.” She laughs. “At my age, I can live on Red Bull.”

The Sound and the Soul

Ask about influences, and her list paints the perfect map of her sound: Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Erin Kirby, and Miranda Lambert. “Ella’s just so cool,” she says. “And Erin Kirby’s music has really impacted me.”

That fusion shows up on stage, where Tasha Ann can flip from heartfelt worship to the raw joy of crowd favorites. One of her favorite moments came recently at Big Al’s. “We started ‘Fishin’ in the Dark,’ and I didn’t know if people would care—but they loved it,” she grins. “Everyone was singing, dancing, and when I held the mic out, they sang right back. That energy… it was amazing.”

Looking Ahead

Her goals are as grounded as they are grand: keep recording, keep performing, and one day—stand beneath the circle of lights at the Grand Ole Opry. She and Dale already have “four or five songs” slated for release starting right after Christmas, each spaced a couple of months apart. Between those, she’ll keep performing both acoustic and full-band shows. “Acoustic feels freer,” she says, “but with the full band, it’s electric.”

And when I ask what she’d tell another young artist just starting out, she answers without hesitation:

“Don’t give up. Follow your heart, not the crowd. Do what you’re called to do—and stop listening to people who say you can’t.”

A Voice Beyond Her Years

Tasha Ann may be young, but she sings with the weathered wisdom of someone who’s lived a few lifetimes. Maybe that’s because she’s already learned to balance them—faith and fun, work and art, humility and ambition.

At 18, she’s proof that heart still matters in country music—that kindness, conviction, and a little caffeine can take you a long way.

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Connect with Tasha Ann

• Official Website: tashaannmusic.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560457334983
• Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0XRxBtUBW2iWD5LwB44WFd?si=YHngdBX_Q9-EOXC_2zAc6Q