Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Ashworth.
Hi Drew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born a performer and always gravitated towards music. I got my start singing in Church and in my school’s band program. By the time I was in high school, I had already been selected to several district and state honor bands and choruses. I was learning brass and percussion in school and taking guitar lessons at the local music shop. I even got together with a few friends and started my first rock n roll band. I played my first paying gig when I was 15. At that point something clicked. I knew that being a musician was something I was going to be for the rest of my life. From there, I started playing wherever and whenever I could. I would DJ birthday parties, I played drums for a few bands, bass guitar for a few others, I was always a side guy though. I developed my improvisational and solo skills and became a lead guitarist. Throughout my teens and twenties I played with several groups with varying degrees of success. My senior year of college, I got married. When my first child was born, my priorities changed. I focused on my career outside of music until 2008 when my job was eliminated by the financial crisis. My wife filed for divorce and my life was in shambles. Out of pure necessity I began performing again as a solo act. I needed money so I played anywhere I could. I had a string of day jobs that I supplemented by performing and also running an open mic night. I met my future wife who encouraged me and brought me into the Crest Pointe Entertainment Group of performers. I began writing songs again. I got to the point where my music was paying better than my crummy job so, I quit in 2017. I’ve been a fulltime singer/songwriter/guitarist/talent agent since then. I have written, recorded, and released a slew of songs already with more coming soon.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Umm no. It is a constant struggle. I am basically the CEO of a small business. Your decisions will ultimately make or break your career. There is no manual. There is no training. You survive by learning from your mistakes and surrounding yourself with as many smart and talented people as you can. It’s hard to know sometimes who is trustworthy and who isn’t. Your ego only helps you at showtime. The rest of the time, being humble gets you much further. One of the things that I have personally struggled with is understanding that your dreams and goals are not necessarily the same as those of the people around you. I set pretty high expectations for myself and my music. I have dedicated my life to it. Other people place music at different places on their list of priorities. It has been hard for me to accept that at times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, I make music. That’s the simple answer. I write and learn songs to perform for people all over the country but mostly in Northern Georgia. Every so often, I record a song or two and give it to the world. I am a multi-instrumentalist but I am best known for my singing voice and blues/country style of guitar playing. I love telling stories and my songs allow me to do that. I am trying to communicate messages of unity, love, and understanding. I feel it is my duty to counter the negative and divisive messages I hear in most other media with ones of inclusion, unity, and understanding. Pride is a dangerous thing for an artist. I would say that I get the most satisfaction from my craft when I perform to an engaged audience who receives and appreciates the messages in my songs.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
The concept of luck in terms of your profession is but a dream of the unmotivated. For me, luck is getting a good parking spot or getting through Atlanta with no traffic jam. It is true that I was lucky to have found my amazing wife. If not for her, my music career would not be what it is today. I often hear the fallacy that you must be extremely lucky to “make it” in music. Lucky as in you were born with the talents you display or you just happened to meet the right well connected person. This is an untruth. There are many people who are not as talented as I who are superstars. There are many more people that are much more talented than I who will never see any success in music. Your work ethic, business skills, and dedication to your craft are ultimately what determine your success. You cant quit though and it wont be easy. Nothing worthwhile is.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DrewAshworth.com
Image Credits
Teri Lyn Riemer
