Ashley, a native Memphian, has performed and traveled in over 23 countries throughout the world. He is an accomplished musician, songwriter, producer, and conductor, who has worked with and performed alongside such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Kirk Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Vaneese Thomas, Michael and Regina Winans, and many others.

Ashley is the founder & CEO of the Kerygma Music Initiative (KMI), a music ministry conglomerate consisting of a record label, production company, publishing company, music ministry school, and a church music consulting firm. He is also the Senior Pastor of the Ascension Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, a recent new church plant in the 1st Episcopal District of the CME Church. Before joining the Stax Music Academy, he served as Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of the Music Department & Sacred Music Studies at LeMoyne-Owen College and the Dean of Musical Studies for Friends International Christian University’s Christian Ministry Institute in London, England.

He has been the recipient of the distinguished Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the Judges’ Distinguished Performer Award at the Yamaha Organ Festival in Tokyo. Throughout his career Ashley has filled the roles of principal, tutor, lecturer, music professor, vocal coach, concert artist, and consultant, and is now proud to share his expertise and experience at the Academy.