This post is part of a series spotlighting some of Athens' up-and-coming female musicians. 

Name: Ashley Walls

Genre: Country meets pop meets rock. Self-described as "a blend of Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and The Eagles all in one."

About: Walls has been playing music for most of her life, but formed a band a year ago. As a woman in the music industry, building her reputation hasn’t been easy. She said she feels like it’s more difficult to garner respect in an industry filled with men.

“It’s more difficult to be a woman in the industry—I have to convince people that I’m as talented as them,” Walls says. “I feel like other musicians don’t take me seriously.”

This is doubtless even more frustrating given Walls’ history. She has played countless high-profile shows, most notably opening for Billy Ray Cyrus at Mill Town Music Hall in Bremen last year.

Walls says she hopes to continue to play shows of that magnitude. “I want what every musician wants, I think,” she says. “I want to see my music spread across the world.”