The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "North Star" by Ashley McKinley


By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/04/2025

The Makin Waves Song of the Week, “North Star,” is Jersey Shore-raised singer-songwriter Ashley McKinley’s latest single. PHOTO BY KRIS KHUNACHAK

Jersey Shore-raised singer-songwriter Ashley McKinley co-wrote “North Star” while trying to enjoy college during the COVID lockdown.

The tune is her latest single and the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “North Star” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 4 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“I wrote 'North Star' with my friend Jackie Minton,” Ashley said. “I was sitting on a wooden stool in my landlord's bathroom with my laptop propped on the sink, still trying to figure out Zoom songwriting co-write sessions. She and I were Songwriting majors at Belmont University in Nashville at the time. Jackie and I both love the song ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay and feel it is spiritual in nature. It was only fitting that we wrote ‘North Star’ together as it is about self reflection and redirection, trust in the mystical, God, the universe. ‘North Star’ is about making better choices for yourself, and finding a way to shut out the world for a moment and connect with something bigger than yourself. It's about remembering where you've been and making better choices for next time.”




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



The chorus of “North Star” describes an unwavering sense of trust and self reliance that’s needed through life's ups and downs.

The soothing harmonies and delicate textures of the mellow country/folk/pop song was helmed by Nashville-based producer Mikey Bar-Lavi.

“I could not ask for a better friend or producer to have made this song shine,” Ashley said.

Due by month’s end, Ashley’s next single, “forever,” is about “a kind of love that must live in your pocket,”she said.

“A love that became like the winds of a tornado, forcing you to remain underground for safety,” Ashley continued. “Ever present, it's always with you, safely tucked away. This song is my touchstone for the grief and happiness that came from letting someone go.”

“I just received the final copy, all shined and ready to go. I cannot wait to share it.”

Ashley long has been exposed to the music industry, having grown up near the musical streets of Asbury Park, where she was able to first cut her teeth as an artist, and then attending college in the Music City of Nashville.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Her influences include Christina Perri, Lake Street Dive, The Chicks, and Carole King. Fans of Kacey Musgraves and Phoebe Bridgers also will appreciate her, especially live when Ashley plays April 6 at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn.

She also recently sang the National Anthem at Barclays Center also in Brooklyn.

For more about the multiple Asbury Music Award nominee, visit ashleymckinley.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com.



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.

 

COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/3/25

"Absolutely! It is a tribute to him but it is not a tribute band," began Bon Scott "79th Birthday Tribute" organizer John Jackson as he discussed this year's event, past history and more. "What we're trying to do is model this off like what the "Experience Hendrix" folks do with their "Red House" tour where they've got several guitar players that come and do various Jimi Hendrix songs but there is not one person who is being Jimi Hendrix. So, last year we had 16, this year we have about a dozen different singers who are all going to do one or two songs; their favorites. So, it's more of a celebration and that's why we do it on his birthday rather than like a tribute gig the way people have come to know them. Hopefully we'll do him justice, it will be hot, it will be loud but it will be fun, I promise."




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from July 1-7, 2025




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/30/25




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "My Place" by Des & the Swagmatics






 

MORE NEWS

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.


Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang




An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal




Split Level Concerts at JSAC Announces Lineup of Opening Acts for its Second Season Beginning this Fall




Asbury Lanes presents There, There - A Tribute to Radiohead






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Sounds of a Summer Night: Music, Nature, and Community in Concert at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to Reeves-Reed Arboretum and celebrate summer with their 2025 concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night! All performances will be held on select Wednesday evenings on the grounds of this non-profit public garden located in Summit.


2025 Horizon Sounds of the City at NJPAC




South Orange Summer Nights to Offer Free Concerts Every Wednesday Night In July




Middlesex County's Free Concert Series Returns for 2025






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




The Penguin Rocks

© 2025 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates