FUSE TV - Aly’An on Real Kentucky Country

In a world where Taylor Swift has gone pop and Keith Urban is judging reality shows, Aly’An make music that’s about more than big hats and bigger pickups. We spoke to Alyson Burke and Andrea Gross to find out why they’re the female answer to Eric Church, how to throw a kick-ass field party and what are the finer points of frog gigging.

You’re both from the small town of Burgin, KY outside of Lexington. How did you first hook up and start playing music?

Alyson: An and I sang in the same competitions—we sang against each other—so we kind of always knew each other.

Andrea: I started singing in church when I was younger. My dad also played with bands, and when I was tiny I would sit in. I thought it was very cool. But I followed the same path as Alyson—singing in contests, the jamboree circuit. My dad had the idea to put together a band of local musicians and have Alyson and I be the lead vocalists. We sang with that band for four or five years at parties. Then we had a friend who thought we had genuine talent. That’s when we started working with other musicians and became Aly’An and started the long journey we’ve been on.

How did your folks react to your decision to pursue music?

Andrea: My parents were very supportive. My dad’s a musician and understands the passion people have for music. When I graduated college my initial plan was to move to Nashville and bang on doors. I ended up staying in the Lexington area and focused on building a following in this area so we could stand out, rather than get lost in the crowd of Nashville.

Where is your favorite place to play in Lexington?

Andrea: We play in the Lexington area at least once or twice a month. We play at Paulie’s Toasted Barrel, Austin City Saloon and Transylvania University, which is where I went to college.

Alyson: Paulie’s has kind of become our home. We try to play there once a month. Paulie and his family treat us like family. They’re so kind. They let us get ready in their house.