press release
It's not often a new artist emerges with a debut record completely formed and beautifully produced, full of tender and concise language, all executed in a gorgeous, mature voice. Singer-songwriter Jenny Goodspeed has achieved just that rare feat with Under the Ash Tree - a sparkling fusion of folk, pop, and Americana drawing on influences from 70s era singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, and Laura Nyro. Well-crafted lyrics, exquisite vocals, and heart-breaking melodies abound as Goodspeed explores the intricacies of love and longing, all definitively steeped in her beloved New England landscape. "All but two of the songs were written when I returned to the Northeast after a 10-year detour in the Midwest and West," Goodspeed explains. "So more than anything, the record is a love letter to New England and its infinite kinds of trees, spring peepers, foggy mornings...everything I felt starved for while out West." Under the Ash Tree will take you all these places and more, and you're going to love the ride.

Engineered and co-produced by Mark Thayer at Signature Sounds Studio in Pomfret, CT, Goodspeed is backed by an impressive group of musicians including Jim Henry (Tracy Grammer, Mark Erelli) on acoustic guitar, Richard Gates (Patty Larkin, Suzanne Vega) on electric bass, Eric Platz on drums, Duke Levine (Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Jonatha Brooke) on electric guitar, Seth Glier on keyboards, and Beth Amsel (Voices on the Verge) on harmony vocals. In August 2008, Under the Ash Tree debuted at #12 on the Roots Music Report Folk Top 50 and spent five weeks in the top 20. Songs from the record have been added to over 100 folk and AAA radio stations in 31 states and earned Goodspeed finalist slots in numerous songwriting contests including the 2009 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase and the 2009 Mountain Stage New Song Contest. Jenny currently performs as part of The Boxcar Lilies - an Americana trio with a knack for heavenly harmonies and exceptional songwriting.

Highlights

2009 Honors
- Northeast Regional Finalist, Mountain Stage NewSong Contest
- Emerging Artist, Falcon Ridge/Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase
- Showcase Artist, Boston Area Coffeehouse (BACHA) Annual Meeting
- Winner, Ourstage.com out of 478 entries and 3rd place overall competing against 33 different genres (Folk)
- Honorable Mention, American Songwriter July/August Lyrics Contest
- Winner, Ourstage.com out of 410 entries and 3rd place overall competing against 40 different genres (Americana/Alt-Country)

2008 Honors
- Winner, Portland Songwriter Association Songwriting Contest (Folk/Acoustic)
- Finalist, Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest
- Finalist, Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter Competition
- Showcase Finalist,Plowshares Songwriting Competition
- Showcase Finalist, Solarfest Songwriter Competition
- Finalist, Susqehanna Music & Arts Festival Songwriting Contest
- Featured Artist, eFolkMusic.org roster
- CD Baby Editor's Pick

Under the Ash Tree
- Debuted at #12 on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Airplay Chart and 5 weeks in Top 20
- Added over 100 folk and AAA stations in 31 states
- Peaked at #4 WUMB playlist (91.9 FM, Boston, MA) and 6 weeks in the Top 20
- #3 Massachusetts Roots Radio Airplay Chart
- New Music Weekly College Top 30
- Recommended new release by John Schoenberger, Radio and Records AAA/Americana Editor

Quotes
"[Under the Ash Tree] is a sparkling folk-pop album guaranteed to brighten your day. Her wry comments about relationships seem personal but universal enough that you'll find yourself nodding your head and thinking, "How did she slip into my life?"
- Jamie Anderson, Minor 7th

"Jenny Goodspeed has an angelic voice and writes, hands down, the best melodies you'll hear. I think you're going to love her."
- Beth Amsel, Voices on the Verge

"We are fortunate to live in an area that is rich with talented singer-songwriters and we can now add Goodspeed to this esteemed group."
- Sheryl Hunter, The Recorder (Greenfield,MA)

"Jenny Goodspeed is just folk enough to sound authentic and just pop enough to keep the attention of the ever-shuffling iPod crowd. With a voice as soft as velvet (and almost as rich)...soft vocals, lulling guitars and harrowing cellos are laid out gently, like jewels, each getting a chance to glimmer."
- The Fairfield County Weekly (CT)

"There's a solidity to Goodspeed's lyrical poetry and more than a little bit of Joni Mitchell in her voice as she sings: "And the tide rolls in / Whether or not I see you again / And the salt green gray / Comes right to my doorstep then / follows the moon back to the sea / With or without me." What a pleasure. What a great find."
- Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live!(NY)

"Ye gawdz, I'm just LOVING this album! It's just SO perfect for my show, and totally appropriate for these slightly-crisp almost-fall evenings! This is a truly special album." - Johnny Black, Music Director, High Plains Public Radio

"This is her first CD, but hopefully not her last. It's amazing how easily this music will become a part of you. This CD needs to be in your collection."
- Tom Stuart, reviewer for Pow'r Pickin'

"Thank you so much for doing such a great set for us at the Nameless last night! I just love your voice and your material."
- Maureen LeBlanc, The Nameless Coffeehouse

"Under the Ash Tree is a lovely debut, and good things are sure to follow."
- Laurie Thayer, Rambles.net

"This is the most pleasant musical surprise I've had in 2007. Just when you think you know where she's going, musically or lyrically, she makes a hard turn in another direction. Her voice is a wonderful combination of strength and fragility, and the production is superb."
- Bob Muller, The Joni Mitchell Covers Project

"I know Jenny was out of the biz for a while, but I'm glad she's back."
- Amy Lotsberg, Collected Sounds

"Under the Ash Tree is a lovely album with a strong, steady groove and a definite sense of place running through its lyric tale. Goodspeed's voice has a soothing, mellow feel, able to sound mature and strong without sacrificing vulnerability. That coupled with her thoughtful, literate writing makes the CD worth many repeated listens."
- Bob Ryan, recording artist

"Jenny writes intelligent, introspective songs and sings in a clear and forceful voice, accompanying herself on fingerstyle guitar."
- Swallow Hill Quarterly