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Celebrating the life of Marvin Ashby, Sr.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Marvin Ashby, Sr., a renowned guitarist and native of Winchester who built an extraordinary musical legacy through nearly a half-century of performances across the mid-Atlantic region, died on July 25, 2025; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in a musical family, Marvin “Marv” Ashby began playing guitar at the age of six, drawing early inspiration from the bluegrass and old-time flatpicking styles of his grandfather, Howard Ashby, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, in his teenage years, Marv Ashby expanded his musical horizons by exploring rock and roll with friends, forming his first band, Mainline, in 1975; fueled by an unrelenting passion for music and performance, he went on to form a succession of groups between the late 1970s and early 1990s, including Desperado, the Smokey Hollow Band, Storm Trooper, and Blackhawk; and
WHEREAS, returning to his bluegrass roots in the 1990s, Marv Ashby joined the Green Ridge Mountain Boys, performing at festivals and community gatherings throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Marv Ashby continued to mature as an artist and forge lasting connections in the music community, culminating in the creation of Marvin Ashby and High Octane in 2010; and
WHEREAS, from 2010 to 2024, Marvin Ashby and High Octane toured extensively across the Commonwealth, the Carolinas, West Virginia, and Maryland, while also writing and recording seven albums; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, Marv Ashby fulfilled two long-cherished dreams by releasing his solo project, Hometown Blues, and sharing the stage with his youngest son at the album's release celebration; and
WHEREAS, a resident of Hedgesville, West Virginia, since the late 1990s, Marv Ashby also enjoyed a successful career as a master carpenter, specializing in the design and construction of fine custom cabinetry; and
WHEREAS, eager to share his decades of experience as a left-handed guitarist, Marv Ashby published his memoir,
Marvin Ashby: My Musical Journey – The Story of a Lefty's Passion
, in 2023; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his son, Jeremy, Marv Ashby will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Marvin, Jr., and Jedadiah; his longtime partner, Joan; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Marvin Ashby, Sr., a beloved figure in the Winchester and Hedgesville communities whose kindness, generosity, and musical talent enriched the lives of all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Marvin Ashby, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.