Casey Ashley sings again: Casey Ashley’s deal with Buddy Lee Attractions is so new, his bio isn’t yet posted on the Nashville talent agency’s Web site. But Ashley’s name is listed on the “artists” page ? right beside Jason Aldean’s, Earl Thomas Conley’s and the names of many other country music stars.
While Ashley said he will continue to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour, the 26-year-old from Donalds, S.C., also wants a shot at a music career, and that’s why he recently signed a “developmental contract” with the agency.
“It pretty much means they see potential in me,” Ashley said. “There’s a lot of work to do before I get to a record label, and they are there to help along the way.”
Ashley said he’s searching for three or four songs to record as part of the demo he will need to seek a recording contract.
“It’s hard to get people to pitch you songs, and even harder to get a good one,” he said.
His fishing fans already know how well Ashley can sing. Most have heard his single, “Fisherman,” which Ashley laid down just in time to serve as his signature song at the 2008 Bassmaster Classic. While that was a good experience, and fans bought his song, Ashley said he’s ready to step it up.
“I’m looking to do mainstream country music,” he said. “It’s not going to be me-and-granddaddy-going-down-to-the-creek-with-a-cane-pole stuff.”
For Buddy Lee Attractions, the deal with Ashley is its first with a sports pro. Established in 1946, it bills itself as one of Nashville’s oldest privately-owned talent agencies. Clients have included Willie Nelson, George Strait and Garth Brooks.
Ashley said he will be very, very busy over the coming months. Between trips to Nashville and work on his music projects, he will fulfill bass tournament commitments, including the three-event Bassmaster Northern Open circuit.
He’s hitting the Northern tour to try for a Classic berth he did not earn when the 2010 Elite Series wrapped up in mid-June.
“It’s the first year I’ve missed the Classic, and that’s a heartbreaker,” said the three-time qualifier (2008-2010). “With the Northern, I’ll have one more shot.”
KVD powers up his book: A new edition of Kevin VanDam’s Bass Strategies is now available.
First published in 1995, the 210-page book was updated to reflect the knowledge and experience of the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year and three-time Bassmaster Classic champ. A new section based on VanDam’s signature technique, Power Fishing, was added.
Like the original, the new edition was a collaborative effort of VanDam and journalist Louie Stout, a senior writer for Bassmaster Magazine and recent inductee into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
Classic facts: The curtain has fallen over the 2010 regular season of the Bassmaster Elite Series, and next month’s grand finale awaits in the wings. Any one of the 12 postseason qualifiers could grab the lead from Skeet Reese and win the coveted title of 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Those 12 pros are fully focused on the July 24-31 Toyota Trucks Championship Week in Alabama, and fan fever is building. At the same time, the 2011 Bassmaster Classic is on the radar of every qualifier to date ? and of every Classic hopeful.
Here’s how the 2011 Classic is shaking out. Check back next week for another list of developing stories about the biggest game in the sport.
- Who. Thirty-seven Elite pros now hold Classic tickets.
- What. The Classic is a world-class competition of 50 of the best bass anglers in existence. The 2011 event will be the 41st Classic.
- When. Feb. 18-21, 2011
- Where. The competition is scheduled for the vast spread of Louisiana Delta waters. Free and open to the public, the weigh-ins will be inside at the New Orleans Arena. It has a seating capacity of about 18,500.
- How much. The top prize will be $500,000; total purse will be $1.2 million.
- First in. The first qualifier was Kevin VanDam, who as 2010 Classic champ automatically qualified for the 2011 Classic. It will be his 21st consecutive appearance.
- A double. VanDam double-qualified when he ended the regular season this month as No. 6 in the points (a remarkable vault into the postseason from 26th place with two events remaining).
- Thank you, Kevin. The beneficiary of VanDam’s double-qualifier status was Paul Elias. He ranked 37th in the standings, just one tick out of the top-36 cutline. BASS works down the Elite points list to fill spots if pros double-qualify through other avenues.
- * Lucky 13. The final 13 Classic seats will be claimed over the next several months. Six spots will be filled through the Bassmaster Opens, two each through the three Open divisions. Six more will come from the Bassmaster Federation Nation. The 50th qualifier will be the 2010 champ of the Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers.
Way to give, Ohio!: The Ohio BASS Federation Nation gave to the United Way in a big way recently: It helped produce a pro-am tournament near Youngstown on a private lake.
The Ohio group furnished volunteers and state-of-the-art tournament equipment for the 11th Annual Muransky Companies Bass Classic. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $160,000 for the United Way.
This year’s tournament was won by Joe Harbert and his partner, Pittsburgh Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda, with 17.77 pounds.
The event included a Kids Fish ?N Fun event. About 200 kids and their families enjoyed shoreline fishing, games and refreshments while the pro-am event took place.
Former Oakland Raider and Youngstown businessman Ed Muransky is president of Muransky Companies, the event’s primary sponsor. Football celebrity guests, besides Sepulveda, included Steelers defensive tackle Brett Keisel and defensive safety Tuff Harris.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in the Bassmaster, BASSInsider, ESPNOutdoors and ESPN360 websites, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.By: BASS Communications / BASS
