our story

Since 2002, our founder and president, Allison Robertson has been collecting women in music memorabilia with the dream of creating a museum dedicated to women in music across the industry: performers, teachers, producers, and more.

In 2023, the Women's Music Museum was established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with the mission of  inspiring women of all ages to find the music within themselves and of educating the community on the impact women have had on the music industry throughout history. 

We are currently in the fundraising process to help find a home for the collection. Once established in a location, our goal is to use the museum not only as a place to learn about women in music but to help nurture future women in music with music education classes and to promote local women in music with a place to perform.  

Our Mission

The Women’s Music Museum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with the mission of  inspiring women of all ages to find the music within themselves and of educating the community on the impact women have had on the music industry throughout history. 

Once we find a home for our collection, we have several goals for the museum.

1. Educate the public on the impact women have had on the music industry through our exhibits.

2. Provide music classes for Abilene youth.

3. Provide a venue for women in music, especially local women, to perform

Board of Directors

Allison robertson

President

 

freddy   Gonzales   

 

 

Treasurer

garrett robertson

Secretary

Our collection

Ways to donate

Blog

    Ashen the Fall is a rock group from Abilene composed of Ric Rogers (lead guitar), Ryky Rogers (drums), and Ashley Holland Rice (lead vocals). The band is currently taking a hiatus. Life happens: Ric just got married and Rob Gebhard (bassist) left the group.

Ashley has loved to sing for most of her life. Her mom even recorded her singing at the age of 3. At age 12, she tried out for and got a spot in the Midland City Choir. As a teenager she led the youth choir at church and collaborated with the church band. Her musical talents followed her into high school, where she played the flute. She participated in other local band projects, Secondhand Prophets and Rockshow Revival.

    Ashley has experienced difficulties as a woman in male-dominated genre. She was discouraged 10 years ago, when a local male musician told her, she “was not attractive enough to be a lead singer.” She has even had venues not want to hire the band because the band had a female lead singer.

    Ashley declares, “We need to encourage more women to get out of their comfort zone and help them become leads and learn instruments. There is still a stigma in Abilene with female leads.” The music world is tough on everybody but she says to remember that “music is in the ear of the beholder” and “everyone has different tastes.” Not everyone will like what music you make, but some people will really love it.

    Ashley’s influences range from classic to modern artists and from pop and rock. Among her biggest influences are Stevie Nicks, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, Whitney Houston, Lzzy Hale, Steve Perry of Journey, and Chris Cornell (her all-time favorite). His cover of “Nothing Compares to You” is one of her favorite songs. She loves all genres and describes her music taste as eclectic.

Ashley’s greatest joys in life are her husband, Chaz, her two boys and her granddaughter, who she describes as a “beautiful ray of sunshine” in whom she sees parts of herself, her son, and her daughter-in-law.

    Ashley, who joined Ashen the Fall in September 2020, has been forcing herself “into a new project to reignite her passion” for music. After the group announced taking a break for a while, Ashley was devastated and found herself with almost an “aversion to music.” Lately, Ashley has been collaborating with her friend and fellow music colleague, Terry Torregrossa, and will perform with him at upcoming shows.

 

Watch Ashen the Fall perform "Wicked Game"

https://www.facebook.com/100010165720912/posts/pfbid06hdPUZjgFxAMzQZQeXf3kgAnhCsero5NdMg5qy7oxMidthCcr9oY8kXXmZFLvf4El/?mibextid=v7YzmG

 

Contact us

womeninmusic2002@yahoo.com

 

PO Box 6044

Abilene, TX 79608

 

325-261-3702