The Ashgrove Band is releasing the single, “Kennedy”, from their debut CD ahead of the July main launch.

The song release is accompanied by a music video of the band performing infused with a tribute to JFK.

“With Kennedy’s birthday and Memorial Day coming we had to pull this song out for early release. Everyone we have played it for has been extremely moved, some even to tears.” said singer and co-writer of the song, Susan Rey.

Lead guitar player Jerry Donahue, best known for his work with Fotheringay and The Hellecasters, added, “From the prospective of having lived outside the U.S. for so much of my life, I have to say that, although I’ve always been proud to be an American, I felt proudest, indeed, during those years Kennedy was our president. You’d have felt the same way in my shoes back then.”

“John Kennedy was a great man but more than that, as we are deep into the election cycle this year, I was struck by how different we viewed the president back then. It was a simpler time,” noted Executive Producer Pete Bellas.

While in the recording studio, the band realized the song needed “pipes” of some sort. Jerry, with his extensive European touring, had just the person: Davy Spillane. Master of the uilleann pipes and low whistle he was able to record the track in Ireland and send it to the studio in Los Angeles. Davy’s work was featured in “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic.

While this is the debut CD for Ashgrove, the musicians involved have impressive credentials. In addition to singer, songwriter, rhythm guitarist Susan Rey the band features lead guitarist Jerry Donahue. While best known as a founding member of the Hellecasters, he has recorded and/or toured with Gerry Rafferty, Robert Plant, Elton John, The Proclaimers, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Yardbirds and more. Bass players working this song and CD include Matt Malley (Counting Crows), Russ Buchanan (Thieves, Player) and Harrison John Davis (Ricky Nelson). Tom Walsh is on drums (America, Spyro Gyro and has recorded and/or toured with Joe Cocker, Supertramp, Tina Turner, John Waite, Henry Mancini, Helen Reddy, Rod Stewart and more).

The music video tribute is available at John F. Kennedy Tribute – Original song by the Ashgrove Band