Biography

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.

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Caudill resides in Nashville, Tennessee where in addition to her renown as a bassist she is gaining recognition for her songwriting prowess. She has made the finals of Merlfest's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest three times and some top bluegrass bands have found her material. One of her tunes, Row By Row, was recorded on Balsam Range's IBMA album of the year, Papertown, topped the Bluegrass Gospel Charts summer 2013 and was nominated for IBMA's Gospel Recorded Event Of The Year.

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With sweet yet powerful vocals she draws the listener in to the tales she spins. She'll take you on a lonely train ride through the mountains, a drive along the countryside, or back in time, with warm, dancing vocal melodies and spacious, unique acoustic instrumentation. If you like your music sophisticated, fun and honest, you need look no further.

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Notable achievements:

Balsam Range’s IBMA Album Of The Year, Papertown, featured Caudill’s tune “Row by Row”

“Row by Row” was also nominated for IBMA’s Gospel Performance Of The Year

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Three time finalist at Merlefest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

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Received a scholarship to prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston

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First place North Carolina Mountain State Fair for bass and vocals

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Performance highlights include: performing live on XM radio, Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, The Kennedy Center, Bluegrass Underground, Carnegie Hall, The Grand Ole Opry, Music City Roots

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Reviews and quotes:

"The songs ... share tales of love, hope, and adventure. She’s a promising voice in Nashville’s music scene, but her bluegrass sounds will please the ears of music lovers everywhere." --Brenda Hillegas, Elmore Magazine - Read more here.

 

"Some top bands have already found her material. We’ll be hearing a lot more from this fine songwriter in the future." --RCB Bluegrass Unlimited - Read more here.

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"To my ears, Caudill hits a grand slam with this project – top-notch writing, singing and playing, on both bass and banjo." --David Morris, Bluegrass Today - Read more here.

 

"Ashleigh Caudill has an undeniable gift for songwriting with a keen aptitude for carving out a tune." -Claire Lynch

 

"Looney Bird... showcases her singing, picking, and songwriting skills mixing her love of old time and bluegrass music." --John Lawless - Read more here.

 

"I am thrilled to be one of the first to hear some of the potential of this talented songwriter...Ashleigh is a rare find, a fine musician and vocalist with drive and energy to work hard at reaching the best she can be... The songs are fresh and have a post modern bluegrass feel and sound while hints of old time and traditional music elements feather throughout the lyrics and melodies." -Jim Hurst

 

"I was enamored with Ashleigh Caudill's performance at Pueblo Bluegrass on the River. Ashleigh is not just a bass player keeping the beat, she is leading her band in a fresh, new, captivating and genuinely entertaining stage show. I would recommend Ashleigh Caudill for your next event, venue or festival." - Dick Pierle, Old Blue Sound

 

"Our alumni are making their mark in bluegrass and related musics: Casey Driessen, Rushad Eggleston, Natalie Maines, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Andy Hall, Chris Pandolfi, Bryn Davies, Japanese banjo player Hiro Arita, and some newly minted alumni like Nate Leath, Ashleigh Caudill, Joe Walsh, and Charlie Worsham." -Berklee College of Music President Roger H. Brown's IBMA Keynote Address 

 

"Ashleigh reminds me of why I love music so much, not only is she a great musician, singer and songwriter, with very clever arrangements, but she sings and performs her tunes with a passion and joy that everyone strives to achieve… I know that everyone else is going to fall in love with her and her original music." -Tim Carter: Musician/Recording Engineer

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Ashleigh proudly endorses Ome Banjos & Fishman Transducers.