MADISON, Alabama – Ashley Howard Nelson of Madison has always loved writing songs and poems, but those were usually written just for herself. But when her sister Korie's famous family asked for her help on a project, she wholeheartedly agreed to join in.
Just a day after its May 13 release, an EP she produced –which also features two songs she wrote, including one on which her daughters lend vocals – hit No. 28 on the iTunes top country albums list.
The EP is titled "Si Robertson: Me and My Smokin Hot Honey" and you can probably guess who it's about.
Howard Nelson teamed up with Si Robertson, the lovably goofy uncle on the hit A&E television series Duck Dynasty, to produce a six-track EP of original songs celebrating the 43rd wedding anniversary of Robertson and his wife Christine. The songs were written and recorded for a vow renewal ceremony for the couple that was held May 5.
"I feel like I'm helping make some people's dreams come true with this project," said Howard Nelson. "From Christine to my girls, to Marsha (Si and Christine's daughter-in-law), my husband, the other artists, and to helping Si's fans be able to share in his big day."
A secret plan
It all started last Thanksgiving, when Howard Nelson, her husband and her three children were in New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the rest of the Robertson clan. Howard Nelson's sister Korie is married to Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and one of the main stars of "Duck Dynasty."
Si Robertson's daughter-in-law Marsha told Howard Nelson she wanted to plan a vow renewal ceremony for Si and Christine because they'd been married 43 years but had never had a wedding; they were married by a justice of the peace in 1971. Marsha asked Howard Nelson to help plan the ceremony.
They came up with the idea to record all original songs for use during the ceremony to surprise Christine. Howard Nelson and her husband Jay have contacts in the Nashville music scene due to Jay Nelson's time there in the music business.
"The vow renewal ceremony wasn't going to be filmed for Duck Dynasty because they wanted it to be a private and special event just for family," said Ashley. "But we were trying to find a way to include Si's fans because they don't get to see a lot of his immediate family on the show."
So Ashley came up with the idea of releasing the ceremony's songs as an iTunes EP as a way to help Si Robertson's fans feel connected to the event. The songs were written, recorded and produced in secret so they'd be a surprise for Christine at the ceremony.
A family affair
Ashley began writing the rollicking "Can't Take the Swamp Outta the Man" with a songwriter friend named Brandon Ray.
"I asked Marsha if there was anybody Christine would want to have singing at their ceremony, who would it be? And she said Kix Brooks," said Ashley. Brooks is half of country duo Brooks and Dunn.
Ashley used her Nashville connections to contact Brooks, who loved the tune and said he was in. He and Si Robertson recorded the song, which is the first track on the album. Ashley said Si was so funny in the recording studio that he had everyone in stitches. You can hear her laughter at the end of that track.
During the ceremony itself, at the end as Si and Christine began walking back down the aisle, Kix Brooks came on a screen with a special message, and then the song started playing.
"Everybody was clapping and dancing to the song," said Ashley. "Si loved getting to surprise Christine."
The other song on the album Ashley wrote is a ballad called "His and Hers," which came to her as she was searching for a song for the ceremony – the part where Si and Christine's children lit a family unity candle – that told the children's perspective of their parents' marriage.
Ashley said at that time she couldn't sleep and began writing the song in her head, and finally finished it with Ray, her songwriting partner. After it was written, Ashley asked Kolby Koloff from the Lifetime reality series "Preachers' Daughters" to join Ashley's daughters, 13-year-old Ally Moore - who sings lead on the song - and 14-year-old Macy Jae Moore on the song
Ally and Macy Jae attend Madison Academy, along with their brother Maddox Moore, 12.
Jay Nelson sings the sweet "Would You Marry Me Again" with Marsha Robertson, on the album. He and Ashley have been married two years, after reconnecting at a high school football game in their hometown of West Monroe, Louisiana, where the Robertson family lives and where Duck Dynasty is filmed.
Ashley said even though her daughters have grown up singing and her husband spent many years as a professional musician, she has never considered herself a singer.
"I grew up around people playing music, and I was always writing music," she said. "I always felt like I couldn't sing, but I love to help other people use their gifts and talents, and realize their dreams."
She's thankful so many of her family members were able to participate in the project.
"God has opened so many doors for us," said Ashley. "As a family, we're thankful Duck Dynasty has been able to have a positive influence on a lot of people, and we're thankful for the things it has done for us. This project specifically has brought us together in ways we wouldn't have had the opportunity to do otherwise."
Ashley has also paired with Si Robertson on another venture, co-authoring a Christmas-themed children's book called "Uncle Si the Christmas Elf" that is currently available for preorder.
The "Si Robertson: Me and My Smokin Hot Honey" EP is available through iTunes.