Clinton Ashley

Whether you’re in the mood for a cold beer, a warm dance partner, or just night out with good-ole-friends, it seems that Clinton Ashley and country music always make the night more enjoyable. The last ten years of Clinton’s life have been spent traveling with many different job opportunities- everything from gondola mechanic in Colorado to UH-60 helicopter maintenance and crew chief while serving in the Army; as well as a Zamboni driver and a space suit technician for NASA. But through all this, the one thing that has been a constant companion has been music and his guitar. Clinton unpacked for us what music has meant to him in the past and how it weighs on him now… “There always seems to be a song that fits any situation you’re in, whether you’re struggling to get over a crazy ‘ex’, or having a hard time fitting in after moving to a new area; if you’re feeling particularly strong and secure in single-ness, there’s a song for you there too. I can’t tell you why, but the right song always seems to make the sun brighter, the smell of the coming rain crisper… women become a little more tolerable (giggling)… the sound penetrates you and just makes ‘stuff’ that much better. And now being the one on stage making people feel a certain way; seeing a woman getting lost in her partners eyes on a dance floor… man, that’s what I love seeing and being a part of the most now. Being the cause and source of people’s happiness, especially in these times, even if only for a moment, it’s just…. wow, it’s awesome. That’s the only way to describe it, awesome!” Shortly after moving back from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Clinton was playing guitar and leading music for a high school bible study called Young Life. It wasn’t long after this that he got his first gig, playing for 3 hours every Wednesday night at Capone’s, a little pizza joint in the Clear Lake/ Friendswood area. This is where he become more comfortable playing in front of crowds. He also began defining ‘his sound’, night by night, during these Wednesday night shows. It was also during this time that Clinton was struggling to justify to his family the choice of playing music full time versus pursuing a college degree, a fight he has still yet to when with his mother. “Chasing your dreams is never an easy path, but one that has no equal when accomplished. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten was from fellow musician Jack Ingram, who told me, ‘if you do what you love… money [success] will follow’. It’s been a source of strength for me.” It’s been over a year and a half since that first show at Capone’s. In that time Clinton has played countless shows, everywhere between Houston and Austin. While ‘big’ success has yet to reach Clinton, he feels extremely successful and fulfilled being able to play music fulltime and being allowed the opportunity to chase after his dreams with all his energy. “Through all this, after having spent many years traveling and searching for some direction, I finally find myself feeling at home in Texas, playing my own version of country music.” So, if you find yourself not knowing what to do during the weeknights, look up where Clinton is scheduled on the world-wide-web, grab some of your friends (or a warm dance partner) and, as always, “let some great country music make your night more enjoyable”!