Today we turn our attention to an artist who was born and raised in New England, and who first made her mark as a basketball player at Boston College and was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. The all-time leading female and sixth overall at BU, she was named Massachusetts Player of the Year in 2006, despite missing several games her senior year of high school to audition for American Idol.

photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
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For Ayla Brown it wasn't always about the music. She knew early in life that she wanted to be in the spotlight, and her above average height and basketball skills were an early ticket to not only the spotlight, but to a college education. She also knew she had a god-given ability to sing, and at times was torn between the two. During her senior year in high school, she had to miss several games because she was selected to audition for American Idol.

While her time on Idol wasn't long, she took one important lesson from the show. Ayla came away from the experience knowing that even if music was her future, she needed to finish her college education before taking the big step into the music world. She returned to Boston College where she was a four-year starter on the Lady Eagle basketball team, finishing as the sixth leading scorer all-time at the school, male or female. While at BC she earned a Bachelors degree in Communications.

photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
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Upon graduation in 2010, Ayla headed to Nashville to try her hand at country music. She started her own label, Ambien Entertainment, self-producing and releasing her self-titled debut album in 2012. The album created a bit of a buzz, appearing on Billboard's Country Albums chart, featuring 9 songs, 7 of which Brown wrote or co-wrote, including her debut single "Goodbye for Good". Her album was distributed on iTunes, her website, at concerts and at Philadelphia 76'er home games, where she was the NBA team's official National Anthem singer.

Her second album, 2013's Heroes and Hometowns, again on the Ambien label, was recorded in Nashville at Ronnie's Place, recording home of Ronnie Milsap. The album was met with critical acclaim across the country music world, and led to opening spots on tours including Josh Turner, Loretta Lynn, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and others; it also led to invites to perform in Nashville at CMA Fest. A third album, 2015's Let Love In was again met with warm praise and furthered Brown's following in Nashville.

photo courtesy of michaelsparskeegan.com and www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
photo courtesy of michaelsparskeegan.com and www.facebook.com/pg/aylabrownmusic/photos/
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Brown has been back in the studio, working on tracks for her next album, a project many are hoping is her break-through project. We have her latest single in our spotlight today. Brought to you by All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, Ayla Brown and "Label" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

Text today’s key word to 580 353-1013, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card from All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, presenting the Catch of the Day on Oklahoma’s Best Country KLAW101.

Today’s Key Word: “LABEL”

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