Life & Work with Asha Worthy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Worthy. 

Hi Asha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entire life I have wanted to be a musician. I can’t remember a time when this wasn’t true. My story as a musician began when I was two years old. I saw a program on PBS of the Chicago Symphony and fell in love, as much as a two-year-old can fall in love, with music and the violin. I told my mom, “I want to play that”, pointing to the violin player on the TV. My mom, being a musician herself got me into lessons as soon as possible. I played the violin for about 5 years. At age seven I began to play the Flute; this was when I learned to read music and play in an ensemble. I played the Flute for 8 years in the band and still play to this day. I always had a love for performing, and being on stage was my happy place. Though I have played many instruments though out my career singing has always been my passion and my way of expressing myself. I bought a guitar with my own money at the age of twelve a Fender acoustic which I named Luna and taught myself to play. I couldn’t stop making or listening to music it was what fed my soul, whether it was on my flute, guitar, or singing, I was hooked. This was the beginning of my path to being a songwriter and performer. I drew inspiration from Ms. Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and The Beatles, they were the songwriters I aspired to be. Their music made me feel seen, and their voices made me feel safe. In High School, I auditioned for every musical, choir, and talent show. I wanted to be singing as much as I possibly could. After high school, I went on the receive a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music with an Emphasis in vocal performance from Millikin University. I sang with the university jazz band and even formed a band of my own under the name “Zen & Tonic”. Since then, I have written countless songs many of which will appear on my first album currently in the works. I also love singing covers and making them my own and continue to do this today for my performances throughout the Midwest. I am now teaching music lesson for Voice, Flute, Piano, and Guitar. I am working on an album and still forming bands and playing solo performances. Making a career of my passions is something I am so grateful for every day. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I will start by saying I was very fortunate to have the full support of my family behind me. Everyone in my family has always supported my dreams and my passion for music. That’s not to say I didn’t struggle in other ways to get where I am today. Anyone who has tried to learn music knows that it is truly like learning another language. I have spent countless hours alone in my room rehearsing. It has been very hard for me to learn when something is “ready” or “done”. I think there is always room for improvement, but I also have learned how to be patient with myself. Being that my voice is my main instrument made that process very hard. When you play a wrong note on a flute it’s an easy fix, you just push the right buttons next time. When you miss a note while singing it feels like you have failed. Singing is such a vulnerable instrument if someone doesn’t like the timbre of your voice or the song you wrote it’s hard to not feel like they just don’t like you. Although I have been writing songs since I was twelve, I didn’t perform my own music until I was twenty years old! I was so scared of people rejecting my hard work, vulnerable emotions, or my voice. Performing covers was easy because I felt such a love and deep connection to the songs that I covered I didn’t care what anyone thought. At the age of twenty, I was finally able to find that same love for my music and myself. I now perform my music for whoever will listen and can happily take feedback. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a performer and a song-writer. I play solo gigs where and when I can. I play a combination of covers and original music. I love having the ability to create an atmosphere that wouldn’t be the same without live music. There is a certain energy that a live musician can bring to any space. I decided in 2021 that I was going to play venues on my own as a solo act. I can take requested for songs and adapt to the specific needs of each venue I play at. Learning to connect with an audience has taken my performances to another level where we are working together to create the perfect night of live music. I began writing one-word songs at some point and have become known for that talent. If someone can give me a single word, I can make a song and use the word somewhere in it. In college, I began freestyle rapping and battling among friends. This helped me build the skills necessary to write songs on the spot. I am currently working on my first album have been lucky enough to work with so many special musicians including members from my first band Zen & Tonic, Evan, Kaream, and my dad! I cannot wait for my songs to transform from acoustic phone recordings to full studio recordings. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think that risk-taking has forced me to grow and change for better or worse. I took a big risk last year when I decided to quit my full-time job to pursue performing, and songwriting. I still work a part-time job in the service industry, but I am teaching private music lessons, performing, and song-writing whenever I can. This was a big lifestyle change for me, but I am so grateful every day that I took that risk. When I shared my music for the first time that felt like a huge risk. My music is such a big part of my healing process in this life, sharing that part of myself initially was terrifying. I think anyone who shares their creative side with others honestly and vulnerably is a risk-taker, because it is not easy! I have found in my experience most people are very sensitive and encouraging when I share my art and if they aren’t, then I find new people! Taking a big risk is so much easier when you have big support which is why I am so thankful for my family, my fiancé Tony, my friends, and my biggest fan Eric Head. 

Contact Info:

• Email: asha.worthy@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashaworthy/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshaWorthyMusic
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/shaorthy
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oq7UJM3ZWQwoY3LLHAB6q?si=G1e6fQ2vT7G752uFeE59ew

Image Credits
Eric Head Photography