My “Phone Call To Heaven”
Written by Charlene Sherman Ferrin-
This story is dedicated to Ashley Westcott (Kirkman). Ashley, If I could describe you in one word, it would be AUTHENTIC, and I want to tell you a few reasons why…
First and foremost, I want to congratulate you Ashley on your latest song and video recordings, your writings over the years and for your new success in the music industry! Those of us who were raised or live in “Taylor Arizona” sure do love the song about our little town in particular. It’s perfect. I am already a huge fan of yours prior to your new found fame! You are just on the tip of the iceberg right now – I know it.
Back to my description of you – AUTHENTIC. I have known you since you were a little girl, actually I knew your parents before you were born. I spent so much time with your father and your eldest Sister, Amber, as a child/youth on the Ranches working cattle with your Dad, Gary Kirkman. One of my best stories told or written was of my first real “cattle round up” with your Father and your Sister. Your Dad was not only the Cowboy in charge of the cattle drive and all the Ranch Hands, but he was also the cook. He cooked us an awesome pancake breakfast at 4 am and packed Amber and I and my Dad a “lunch” for our saddle bags for the long day ahead. My Father Clyde Sherman, was one of your fathers good friends and I was the blessed one to be tagging along as a new little 10 year old “cowgirl in training” so to say. Amber and I were at the back of 500+ head of cattle by mid day, picking dirt out of our teeth and eyewells and when we stopped to eat lunch around noon. We had already been in the saddle for 6+ hours by then and our lunches were completely smashed together. It didn’t help that our cowboy cook Gary had not seperated the Oranges and Tuna Fish Sandwiches and Oreo Cookies in separate containers or ziplocks, so Amber and I suffered thru Tuna and Oreos smashed together and really enjoyed our Oranges and water. By the time it was dark, we were falling asleep on our horses and my father directed Amber and I to the Bunk House a little ahead of the rest of the cowpokes. We were so happy to get back to the Ranch well after dark and collapse in our beds. The reason I told you this story is because I know the way you were raised – by a true grit Cowboy and Cowgirl as parents and you are as Authentic as they come Ashley, your roots run deep.
On top of admiring your Father for his true Cowboy ways of life, including Music, I adore and admire your Mother. There are 3 women in my life that I admire as “horsewomen” and your Mother is one of those. She taught me more about horses and Stallions in particular than she will ever know. I have raised 3 Quarter Horse Stallions in my lifetime because of the influence of your Mother (two still living). If my Father Clyde could not answer what I needed to know about horse medicine or behavior, he would always refer me to your Mother, Luann Kirkman for advice. She may not know the true respect I have for her – but now that I have written about it, she will. Needless to say – I love your Family.
On to my time knowing you Ashley, the time has been minimum compared to time with your Parents or older Siblings, however, I have watched and admired you as you have grown up singing locally, playing in your family band and other bands, playing with Floyd Fuentes, Bob Hancock, and some of the other great Cowboys I grew up with because of my Dad. I have watched you perform at the local Rodeo events and Cowboy Poetry and Music and admired your talents, your yodelling abilities, your natural beauty, your contagious gentle smile, your humble nature and mostly your sweet gentle spirit. You are truly beautiful from the inside out Ashley. Gorgeous infact.
This past summer of 2023, I was given the opportunity to perform again at the Annual Cowboy Poetry and Music program and was able to dedicate and sing a special song to my Mother, McCray Sherman. Prior to the performance (the morning of in fact) you offered to let me come to your recording studio and practice a little because I had such a difficult time finding a good accompaniment for my song, “Forever Young”. You not only suggested that I ditch the accompaniment at the practice but you said – why don’t I just accompany you live? I was honored and so relieved – plus I love to sing “live” rather than with any recording! We went thru the song 2-3 times that morning and prior to the performance back stage. You were awesome as always, kind, humble, and complimentary in your MC comments for all of the participants. Then as always you knock the crowd out with your songs!
After your busy weekend with all the Town of Taylor Traditional 4th of July Rodeo and Events, you offered to let me come to your house on Monday morning to “record” in your AW Studios (your personal recording studio) my first YouTube video and professional voice recording. What a sacrifice of your time since I was on such a short window on my trip and had to leave town by Tuesday. We spent the morning and early afternoon in your studio and you were so kind to allow me to bring my 87 year old Mother along (as a surprise to my Mom, McCray). My Mom has always been my “Stage Mom” and she sat patiently and listened to the entire recording process and was part of the live video. Little did I know at the time it would be not only the first video for me, but the last video with my Mother, who passed just recently in January 2024.
What a cherished moment and forever memory for me Ashley – I know you listened to the voice of the Spirit when you offered and then you took the time for me and for my Mother and spent countless hours putting the recording and video together to then surprise me with it for my Birthday in Sept 2023! I gifted it to my Mother for "my Birthday” gift because I was so excited to share it with her. It’s not only my first professional recording, done by you, but it’s my one and only “Phone call to Heaven” song for me now. I play Forever Young, when I am missing my Mom terribly, I play it and see my mothers hand reach out and grab mine, and it makes me feel like she is right there with me again.
We never know how special the sacrifice of our time can be to another person. You helped me not only take one very important check off my bucket list… by recording a voice video, but my precious Momma is right there with me because of you. Thank you Ashley for this lifetime experience and now forever memory.
For others who know you, I know they understand what I mean when I describe you as AUTHENTIC. You are just that – the Authentic “Taylor Arizona” Girl that deserves the Moon and the Stars and you are headed just that way! I feel it and I am so proud of you. I am honored to know you and say I have sang beside you on more than one occasion! I consider you the most Authentic Singing Cowgirl ever and I also consider you a friend. And by the way, congratulations on making Taylor Arizona an even bigger place on the map!
May all your Dreams come True and may you and yours be Blessed 77 x 7 to InFinity,
Char
