Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Reid.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been singing since before I could even talk (at least from what my mom tells me!) I grew up with a strong passion for music and started learning piano at the age of 5 years old. I then moved on to guitar during middle school and competed in a few local voice competitions, getting 2nd place in the Northern California area when I was about 12 years old. As I got older, my interests started to shift and focus more on school and sports so music wasn’t always at top of mind, but regardless of how many times I got distracted and strayed, I always came back to my instruments whether it was singing in the car or learning new songs to play on the piano or my guitar. Things came full circle at my high school graduation where I found out about the auditions to perform the day of and decided to go for it on a whim! I was chosen as one of two acts to get to perform, and I sang in front of the entire Sacramento memorial auditorium full of ~4,000 people. I was more nervous than I had ever been, but it was a great way to push myself outside of my comfort zone doing something I loved, while closing the chapter of my high school experience. Through college, I swam on the club team and focused on my studies and once again didn’t make much time for my music. And in 2024 things in my life took a complete 180 after some health issues had me working remote for a month and left me alone in my apartment looking at my instruments that had been neglected for so long. In August of that year I had written 0 full songs and now just over a year and a half later, I’ve written over 30 songs and released my first on Spotify in May 2025 with another coming out on June 19! I have plans to release many more, so keep your eyes peeled! As fate would have it, my current banking role had me move to Nashville in September of last year, so I get to pursue my dreams of being a musician while also pursuing my career in banking. I’ve already started being invited to writer’s rounds and meeting other musicians as well ! I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I feel so grateful for everything that has happened in my life to get me to this point.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the road has been a long one. I am a very pragmatic thinker and for the longest time didn’t think it was realistic to chase my dreams in music and instead chose to prioritize my sports teams, career and other obligations over music. After a while, I felt like something was missing in my life and time after time, it was always music that got me to feel whole again. I’ve faced a lot of rejection with music as well, whether it’s auditioning for the Voice or having my songs critiqued, but I’ve found a way to embrace that because every time a door has closed, another one has opened, and I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Whether it’s to teach you a lesson about yourself and your priorities, or to push you outside of your comfort zone and make you re evaluate some of your own life’s decisions.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My full time job that helps support my aspirations as an artist is that I am an Associate Relationship Manager at PNC Bank here in Nashville. I’ve worked with the company for almost three years now, which is crazy! I started my career in Washington DC after graduating from college and went through their Corporate Banking Development Program, where I spent 18 months learning the ins and outs of credit and underwriting and was able to move to San Diego for 7 months and learn the fundamentals of sales on the Commercial Banking Team. In September of last year, I “graduated” from the program and was placed into my current role in Nashville as luck would have it, where I’ve been able to merge my professional career and passion for music! Throughout this process, I’ve been most proud of my ability to accept change and put myself outside of my comfort zone. I’ve lived in three different cities over the last two years and have learned so much about myself that would not have been possible if I didn’t have the courage to try something new and move to places where I knew no one !
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that people may not know about me is that I grew up singing the national anthem at the local Fourth of July parade in Sacramento! I started around the age of 7 or 8 and sang it almost every year until I was in high school. That led to me singing at local swim meets while I was on the summer team and even sang at the College Club Swimming Championships my freshman year of College at The Ohio State University!
Pricing:
- $100/hour if looking for performance!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyreid.musicc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashleyreid.musicc
