MSM 90s: Nothing Compares 2 U, Ashley Brown
9/15/26
By Monica Collier
It's been 9 hours (ish) and 30 days since we witnessed Ashley Brown's rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" at Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s. Sorry. I've had that one in my pocket for pretty much a month now. And yes, I think I am very funny.
Seriously, though, no matter the song, Ashley is always something to behold. This pairing, though, was absolutely ethereal. After witnessing Ashley put a spell on an entire room of musicians during rehearsal with the Shoals Strings, I couldn't wait to see how our MSM family would react to her rendition of this 1990 megahit during the main show.
I'm telling you, this second performance of the second set of the Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s main show was absolutely haunting in the best way possible. Y'all, it really happened. Ashley's version of the Prince-penned iconic classic, "Nothing Compares 2 U" was showstopping. Just thinking about Ashley's voice completely filling the room at Renaissance Shoals gives me chills.
The thing is, I was so caught up in Ashley's performance that I forgot to observe what was happening in the room. Ashley's voice is that powerful, friends. Agreed? Hers is a voice that stops time. I lose myself in her voice time and time again. Her performances are so very ... fulfilling. You know what I mean?
The Shoals Strings added such depth to this performance, too. I know we were mostly caught up in the party that night but this one was something else. It was a magical masterpiece of a performance that even Prince would have given his seal of approval.
Good grief at Ashley's talent. Quite frankly, there's nothing she can't do. Bet. Yes. This performance will live with me forever. Thank you, Ashley.
Thank you, Fiddleworms for bringing us all together. Thank you for building special needs playgrounds at Brooks and L.E. Willson, too -- I saw where those wheels are in motion. Congratulations, MSM fam.
Muscle Shoals Meets is a good thing, friends.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
Photo by Devona Hawkins
