A Homecoming for Ayla Brown

She may live in Nashville, Tennessee now, but Ayla Brown says returning to Wrentham next week will feel like coming home. The singer/songwriter will perform on Sunday, July 8 on the town common at 6 p.m. as part of the Concerts on the Common series.
According to Brown, the show will include cover songs most people will recognize, as well as original songs.
“I want to make sure that people see how much I’ve grown as a songwriter, artist, and performer,” the 29-year-old said.
Brown’s singing career started with her 2006 appearance on the singing competition T.V. show American Idol, where she was a top-16 finalist. She had always enjoyed singing and was encouraged by her mother to audition for American Idol when tryouts were held at Gillette Stadium the summer prior.
“We stood in line for 18 hours in the pouring rain and the experience was one I will never forget,” recounted Brown. “I got my first golden ticket that day, and ten auditions later I was competing for America’s votes.”
After American Idol, Brown went on to perform locally and nationally, and has since released two albums—Heroes & Hometowns and Let Love In—as well as several singles. She considers herself a country music singer as well as a versatile songwriter who can write any genre.
“I discovered country music when I was a senior in college, and I feel like it really spoke to my heart,” said Brown.
The daughter of Scott Brown, the current U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa and former U.S. Senator for Massachusetts, and news reporter Gail Huff, Brown lived in Wrentham until her move to Nashville seven years ago to pursue a career in country music.
“I loved growing up in Wrentham,” she said. “My favorite memories are walking across the street from my house to Nicky’s Restaurant with my sister and getting a grilled cheese and raspberry lime rickey. I also loved playing sports in Wrentham.”
Brown certainly excelled at athletics. At age 10, she was the first girl to play for the King Philip Pop Warner football team. She was a standout athlete at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, and attended Boston College on a basketball scholarship. The lessons she learned as a Division I athlete stay with her to this day.
“Sports will always be a part of my life,” said Brown. “Playing them has taught me so many life lessons that can be applied to music like mental toughness, playing on a team, and competitive edge.”
After graduating from college with a degree in communications, the singer had a brief stint as a special correspondent on CBS’s The Early Show. It was during that time that she became involved with the Songs of Love Foundation, which creates free personalized songs for children and teens battling medical, emotional, or physical challenges.
“I love writing songs for kids who are battling different types of illnesses,” shared Brown. “I just finished a Song of Love for a little girl named Giselle. It really makes me happy to be able to do this.”
Brown, who is spending the summer touring and performing around New England, is looking forward to her stop in Wrentham next week. No doubt she is pretty busy these days, which makes her visit here all the more special. It’s been almost eight years since Brown last sang in Wrentham.
“Coming back to Wrentham will definitely feel like a homecoming,” Brown emphasized.
Follow Ayla Brown on Facebook (facebook.com/aylabrownmusic) or visit her website (www.aylabrown.com). For more information about the Songs of Love Foundation, visit www.songsoflove.org.
There is no rain date scheduled for the July 8 concert.