Celebrated folksinger, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ashleigh Caudill, exemplifies one of the most exciting musical trends to be heard today. That is, traditional roots music with a new spin, a different take on the themes and sounds that have shaped American music past. She has a sense of style that is unique and beyond categorization. Her songs are constructed with an architect’s touch and her performances hum with an excitement in the crisp arrangements that lift each song.
Growing up in a small town in Western Colorado Ashleigh began playing music at an early age. Upon receiving a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College Of Music she relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. While climbing the ranks of freelance bassists in Boston’s booming acoustic music scene, she fell in love with both songwriting and clawhammer banjo. After leaving the city in 2007 Caudill bounced around a bit gathering experiences and stories that would work their way into her music.
She now resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she is an in demand hired hand playing with artists ranging from bluegrass icon, Charlie Sizemore, to Angaleena Presley of The Pistol Annies. In addition to her renown as a bassist she is gaining recognition for her songwriting prowess. Caudill placed in the finals of Merlfest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest two years in a row and some top bands have already found her material. One of those tunes, Row By Row, was recorded on Balsam Range’s IBMA album of the year, Papertown, and topped the Bluegrass Gospel Charts summer 2013 in addition to being nominated for IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Event Of The Year.
Along with her writing and side work her own project continues to thrive. With a show alongside fellow bassist, Missy Raines, for the Bluegrass Underground in the Cumberland Caverns, a solo set on Music City Roots’ Monteagle Show, and a packed album release party at the American Legion she certainly enjoys playing a wide variety of venues!
With sweet yet powerful vocals she draws the listener in to the tales she spins. Accompanied by the impeccable timing of her upright bass and a fine cast of musicians, or the rolling mellow tones of her open back banjo her sound will please the ears of music lovers everywhere. If you like your music sophisticated, fun and honest, you need look no further.