Biography
Countless young musicians can recite a litany of artists who have inspired them, but Ashley McCabe trumps them all. Indeed, this budding guitar virtuoso didn’t just dream about playing with the big guys - her career was actually started by one of her heroes - Frankie Banali, owner/drummer of the multi-Platinum group Quiet Riot. Ashley’s Cinderella story all began at the age of nine when she decided she wanted to play the drums. Her mother, who was less than enthusiastic about the possible loud noise, suggested she play the guitar instead. This was the catalyst for Ashley to receive her first beginner’s Yamaha guitar. From the day Ashley picked up the guitar, she never put it down. Taking guitar lessons just fueled her appetite and determination to pursue a career in music. Ashley quickly declared that she wanted and needed a custom guitar. Her parents tested her motivation by challenging Ashley to buy the guitar with her own money. By age 12, Ashley had saved up enough and bought herself a 2006 Les Paul Epiphone. Gravitating towards the ‘70s and ‘80s rock that her parents had listened to, Ashley was heavily influenced by genre giants like; Quiet Riot, Guns n Roses, Mötley Crüe, Kiss, Ozzy Osborne, Whitesnake, Ramones, Queen, Metallica, and Aerosmith, as well as female trailblazers like Jennifer Batten,Lita Ford & Joan Jett. In 2007, Ashley realized that in order to progress, she needed a new guitar teacher that played her style of music. Family friend Frankie Banali introduced her to Grammy Award-winning guitarist, producer and engineer Neil Citron, who ultimately took Ashley under his wing. Neil then introduced Ashley to Rich Johner, a phenomenal guitarist and good friend of “The Great” Steve Vai, both of whom had studied with the legendary Joe Satriani. Rich taught Ashley for about a year and then told Neil that he had taken the youthful prodigy as far as he could go. In 2008, Neil put Ashley in the studio to begin work on what would be her first EP. Playing along side her were ace bass player Billy Sheehan from Mr. Big and the David Lee Roth Band, Neil himself on guitar, and the one who started it all - Frankie Banali on drums. A writer herself, Ashley penned many of the tracks. Jumping ahead to 2009, at age 16 Ashley started shooting her first music video for her single “Hollowman,” which slated to debut on iTunes, MySpace, YouTube and Ashley’s own website. While working with Ashley, director/producer Patrick G. Ingram was so impressed by her versatility and visual style that he cast her in his new short film "Broken.” This spurred him to cast Ashley in upcoming feature films, which he directed. In 2010, Ashley went in the studio to work with producer/base player/mentor Fabrizio Grossi (Steve Vai/Steve Lukather/Alice cooper/etc…) on her upcoming new releases, which include various musicians as Tony Morra – drummer (Rebecca St. James/Van Zant/etc…) Dan Jacobs - guitarist (Atreyu), Fabrizio Grossi & Joe Diblasi -guitarist (Pink Floyd). Having some of the finest & awesomely talented musicians such as; Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Frabrizio Grossi, Frankie Banali, Dan Jacobs, and Tony Morra, just to name a few, to work and learn from is truly a dream of all dreams to come true for Ashley! You can find her also working on an array of projects that will be out in 2011. While, working on her upcoming music videos & music, Ashley is also in talks with record companies. A lithe and lovely blond with an edgy look, Ashley is a study in contrasts. Born on March 9, 1993 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and true to her down-to-earth roots; Ashley’s ultimate goal is musical rather than material: to play on stage with the great musicians who inspired her. Given her talent, passion, drive, and dedication, the realization of Ashley’s dream is just down the road.
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