4 minute read
Ashley Campbell Remembers a Career Forged by Loss, Love, and Reinvention
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
BY APRIL NEALE
Ashley Campbell has walked the fire of watching a loved one succumb to Alzheimer’s. More than any of her seven siblings, Glen Campbell’s daughter made a name for herself in music, paying homage to her late father in the 2015 “Remembering” lyrics that will stop anyone who has battled this disease with a family member in their tracks.
“We can talk until you can’t even remember my name/Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering.”
Glen Campbell’s legacy for his daughter was to urge her to remain faithful to her eclectic musical instincts, just like his own. “He always warned against the bullsh*t and told me, ‘Just don’t let anyone tell you who you are. You decide that for yourself, and don’t let anyone tell you what music to make or what you should be making. Just make music you want to make, and chances are other people will want to hear it too.’ I miss playing music with him and the possibilities we could have had of collaborating together. But as a daughter, something that stands out to me was that, no matter the time of the day or what was going on, when I walked in the room, and his eyes found me, they lit up with such visible love. I feel incredibly blessed to have always felt so loved whenever he looked at me,” Ashley said.
What I can do is relate my human experience with this disease that is unfortunately so common these days.
In the searing documentary, “Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me,” Ashley established herself as a powerful voice for raising awareness about the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. “I give speeches and go around to various events within the healthcare world. I try to share my stories since I’m not a doctor or a scientist,” she said. “What I can do is relate my human experience with this disease that is unfortunately so common these days. It’s nice for people to hear, whether they’re in the healthcare industry or not, the experience firsthand from a family member versus the experience from a hired caregiver.”
This summer, Ashley left Nashville behind and moved to London armed with exciting new material and ready to introduce an LP with Thor Jensen, her collaborative musical partner turned romantic partner. Jensen, a guitarist, songwriter, and singer from New York City, was introduced to Ashley as a guitar teacher who had just moved to Nashville when the two met. “I wanted to hunker down and study gypsy jazz guitar to ignite my passion for it and honor my dad,” she said. The pair hit it off right away, musically and personally, and started a duo called Campbell/Jensen.
The collaboration has opened new doors in Europe for Ashley, who recently showcased her superb range in a Spanish show where she covered Edith Piaf classics like “La Foule” alongside Jensen.
“And we’ve got our first album coming out in November. It’s rare to be able to work together when your personal lives are so entwined, but we communicate well. And it just works. We’re lucky that way,” Ashley said.
Ashley, who says she’s always had an explorer’s attitude, has always been enamored with Europe and the U.K., and feels more at home amongst different cultures. “It can get a little over-commercialized here, especially in Nashville. When I go over and play in the U.K. and certain European places, it just feels like they’re hungry for it. They listen, and they appreciate everything,” Ashley said, adding that she also still loves performing stateside.
Boise is the only American booking in a long list of U.K. dates for Ashley this fall and winter; the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Idaho Chapter will receive a portion of the proceeds from the 140th Boise Chamber Gala that Ashley headlines on October 19, 2023. The Alzheimer’s Association, which provides information, resources, a 24/7 telephone helpline, local support groups, and educational programs at no cost to families, also advocates at the state and federal level for public policies that increase research funding and support those affected by Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Ashley’s appearance, along with the September Walk to End Alzheimer’s, help to fund these efforts.
Ashley is eager to return to the Gem State, where she previously toured with her dad. I’m looking forward to being back in Idaho,” she said.
