Teresa adds a vivacious spice to the group with her multi-talented
upright bass, rhythm guitar and spirited vocals. She has many years of
solid touring experience in a variety of different genres including blues
and jazz influences. An avid bluegrass artist with contagious enthusiasm,
Teresa delivers the ability to back it up, giving Ashton Gap a distinctive
edge.
upright bass, rhythm guitar and spirited vocals. She has many years of
solid touring experience in a variety of different genres including blues
and jazz influences. An avid bluegrass artist with contagious enthusiasm,
Teresa delivers the ability to back it up, giving Ashton Gap a distinctive
edge.
Teresa Fry
Doug Knecht
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Andy Hatfield
adds his many talents to the band creating a beautiful blend
of unsurpassed leads, tight harmonies, and fiery guitar
solos. A brilliant musician at a young age, he has continued
his passion for music as a performer and instructor of many
years.
adds his many talents to the band creating a beautiful blend
of unsurpassed leads, tight harmonies, and fiery guitar
solos. A brilliant musician at a young age, he has continued
his passion for music as a performer and instructor of many
years.
Doug Knecht, renowned musician of Roanoke, Illinois, has toured
worldwide with bluegrass bands and now adds his own creative style to
Ashton Gap. In a driving, yet mellifluous technique, he accomplishes
unsurpassed bluegrass with his great expertise and discriminating taste
on the banjo.
worldwide with bluegrass bands and now adds his own creative style to
Ashton Gap. In a driving, yet mellifluous technique, he accomplishes
unsurpassed bluegrass with his great expertise and discriminating taste
on the banjo.
Andy Hatfield
Ashley is featured singing sweet, clear leads, and smooth harmonies on
her original songs as well as on many bluegrass standards. Her dynamic
mandolin playing delivers a powerful bluegrass sound. By blending a
variety of styles & techniques along with her own innovative zest,
Ashley has developed her unique sound that is true to the traditional
roots of bluegrass with a fresh original flair. Multiple first-place
mandolin winner, Ashley is also a member of Artstour, and is a
seven-time recipient of the Master/Apprentice Mandolin Grant,
awarded by the Illinois Arts Council.
her original songs as well as on many bluegrass standards. Her dynamic
mandolin playing delivers a powerful bluegrass sound. By blending a
variety of styles & techniques along with her own innovative zest,
Ashley has developed her unique sound that is true to the traditional
roots of bluegrass with a fresh original flair. Multiple first-place
mandolin winner, Ashley is also a member of Artstour, and is a
seven-time recipient of the Master/Apprentice Mandolin Grant,
awarded by the Illinois Arts Council.
Ashley Lewis
Backstage with the Band
| Ashley Lewis has fronted the spirited bluegrass band, Ashton Gap, for nine years. Her musical influences are derived from a bluegrass heritage in Kentucky. Known for her sparkling vocals and dynamic mandolin and fiddle performances, Ashley is also a profound songwriter, and evidence of her bluegrass legacy appears in the words and music of her original songs. By blending a variety of mandolin styles and her own rhythmic technique, Ashley has developed a unique sound that is true to the traditional roots of bluegrass with her own flair added. Award winning artist, Dale Ann Bradley of Nashville, comments on Ashley’s music, “I sat there with a smile on my face the whole time. You are a natural! You have the beauty in your heart and it comes through in your music.” Receiving worldwide recognition for her music and performing throughout the country, she has also appeared on venues such as the WTTW/PBS program, Arts Across Illinois on CenterStage in Chicago. A seven-time award recipient of the Illinois Arts Council for bluegrass mandolin, she has also been recognized by the Illinois Arts Council as an accomplished and accredited Illinois ArtsTour musician who is preserving the heritage and art of bluegrass mandolin. She recently graduated from Waubonsee College with a Music Performance degree and Presidential Honors. In 2007, she was honored with the prestigious “Fab 40” Award from the college for her musical contribution to society as a bluegrass artist. Ashley’s band, Ashton Gap, gives an energetic and riveting performance with an innovative approach to all facets of bluegrass music, while providing fresh definition to the traditional tunes. The combined effects of pure vocals, smooth harmonies and acoustic instruments, consisting of mandolin, fiddle, guitar, upright bass, and banjo, blend to create that inspiring bluegrass sound. Other musicians in the band who add their talents to help create that distinctive Ashton Gap sound are Andy Hatfield, Teresa Fry, and Doug Knecht. Andy Hatfield grew up in a bluegrass family and now is the guitarist for Ashton Gap. Andy delivers intricate leads on the guitar, while also adding tight harmonies and lead vocals. From Andalusia, Illinois, is the upright bassist, Teresa Fry, who rhythmically drives the band with her solid timing and exact precision. She is also often spotlighted on vivacious vocals. Before joining Ashton Gap seven years ago, Doug Knecht from Roanoke, toured world-wide with his music. An absolute virtuoso on the banjo, Doug now brings his characteristic banjo style and harmonies to Ashton Gap. |
Ash ey
L
ewis
| Bluegrass at its Best |
& Ashton Gap
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