About the Band
Alan Hewitt – Keyboards & vocals
Alan has made his living painting musical tapestries about the lives of others. Hewitt began his career performing in the club scene but quickly graduated to the production room, where he had the honor of working as co-producer alongside Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire (EWF) for over half a decade with EWF’s Greatest Hits album going platinum in 2000. However, it was co-writing and piano/B-3 contributions on the platinum record Cherry Pie with Warrant that would solidify Hewitt as a monster musical talent capable of crossing genres. Alan is currently the keyboardist for legendary rock band The Moody Blues, touring with them world wide since 2010. They were inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2018.
Hewitt’s list of record production credits as both a producer and recording artist spans across the various major labels and genres with over 12 million records sold including 2 triple platinum. Composer for a long list of major film and television productions, Hewitt’s credits include National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Survivor, MTV, Access Hollywood, Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales and composer for 50 television shows world wide . The list of accolades from the industry includes “The Golden Planet Award” Best Score at New York International Film Festival and San Francisco Film Festival
As a solo artist with 14 albums to his credit , the uniqueness of the Hewitt signature sound lies in his ability to draw from the diverse worlds of contemporary jazz, fusion, pop and rock, while simultaneously bridging the gap between instrumental music and the urban scene with intoxicating stage performances that are a combination of energy and inspiration.
His new group , Alan Hewitt & One Nation released their first Cd “Evolution” in 2015 on Sony, which is a fusion of rock, jazz & prog with a return back to Alan’s roots where he was inspired by Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report.
Alan is featured on piano and keyboards and is joined by JV Collier (Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers) Grammy winner, Sonny Emory (Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stanley Clark) Jamie Glaser (Anderson/Ponty Band, Chick Corea’s Electrik Band, Lenny White Band) and current member guitarist Duffy King also special guests Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper) and #1 YouTube Artist of the Year Alex Boye.
Recent release “2021” ventures more into Prog with lush vocals and intense arrangements reminiscent of early Yes, and Genesis but still retains their fusion elements. The new line-up includes Duffy King (Guitars & Vocals) David C. Johnson (Bass & Vocals) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums). There is a huge buzz already happening about this band!
Duffy King-Guitars & vocals
Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter/Composer/Producer SAG/AFM Energetic, kinetic grooves, driving rhythms, searing, blistering leads, finesse and feel are words that have been used to describe Duffy’s style of guitar playing. Duffy started playing the guitar at age 11, and began playing professionally at 18, basically having almost a lifetime of professional experience. Duffy has spent a large part of his life living in the Detroit area, amongst it’s great musical heritage. He also lived in South Florida, New York City, while giging & touring extensively throughout the U.S. and all four corners of the world. Along with constant performing, Duffy has done numerous studio sessions, including nationally televised ads as well as major label releases that have been nominated for Grammy Awards and Billboard Magazine awards. The combination of these accomplishments, and performing with an array of world class musicians, has earned him a reputation as a top caliber guitarist. Well versed in all styles of playing, Duffy is best known for his potent Jazz/Rock and R&B/Funk chops. Duffy’s talent doesn’t stop with playing guitar. His song writing skills have won awards in Billboard Magazine’s Songwriter’s Contest, Marlboro’s National Talent Search, and received acclaim for his solo release, Living’ for the Big Time, which charted in the top 10 on many radio stations throughout the midwest region
From 2000 – 2010, Duffy has received 6 Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Rhythm & Blues Artist and has been nominated 9 times from 1999-2010 for the Outstanding Rhythm & Blues Instrumentalist award . Duffy’s recording, “Solo Guitar Christmas”, is a collection of holiday classics uniquely arranged and performed on a single guitar. Solo Guitar Christmas received rave reviews and was nominated for a Detroit Music Awards Outstanding Jazz Recording.
Duffy knocked ’em dead at each performance on a worldwide clinic/promotional tour for the Gibson Guitar Corporation. As a Clinician, he is able to combine musicality, humor, fun and information to create an entertaining and productive clinic/performance that transcends language barriers. Other companies that Duffy has performed clinics for include, Yamaha Guitars and Amplifiers, Egnater Amplification
Duffy laid the guitar tracks on the recording, Reim3 , by Gold and Platinum selling international Polygram artist, Matthias Reim, who also is a two-time recipient of World Music Awards. Another Polygram release Duffy played on was the Grammy Nominated recording, “Mean What You Say”, by Witness.
2010 had Duffy laying tracks for Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee’s side project, Method’s Of Mayhem’s worldwide release, “A Public Disservice”.
Additional adventures in Duffy’s diverse musical career include, composing music and audio sweetening for independent filmmaker, Jennifer Machiorlatti’s short film, The Maiden’s Mirror. National Chevrolet Commercials of which Duffy was Vocalist, Guitarist, Producer and Arranger.Featured performer on 2006 CD release with Detroit drummer extrodinare’, Charles Stuart, “Charles Stuart Trio Live”. All guitars on the widely popular 2008-2011 Ford F150 & 250 National Ad campaign, featuring comedian/actor Denis Leary on voice over.
Billy Ashbaugh-Drums
Billy Ashbaugh has been playing professionally for nearly 30 years. He is the current drummer for the legendary Moody Blues. He has also toured, recorded or performed with John Lodge (Moody Blues), Alan Hewitt, ‘NSYNC, Pat Benatar, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Gloria Estefan, Britney Spears, Brian Littrell (Back Street Boys) Greg Howe and many more. His experience has led to over 70 television appearances including The Tonight Show (6 times), Super Bowl XXXV Half time performance, Saturday Night Live, MTV Music Awards, Grammy Awards, Rock in Rio 2001 (attendance over 280,000) as well as HBO & Pay Per View Concert Specials. Billy’s also on the currently released Moody Blues DVD – Days of Future Past Live (Featuring the Toronto Orchestra) as well as performing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2018 with the Moody Blues. As a clinician he has performed at the Modern Drummer Festival ‘02, PASIC ‘01 , NAMM ’05 and R&R Fantasy Camp .
David C. Johnson-Bass & vocals
David C. Johnson, born in Detroit, Michigan, began studying piano at the age of 7. He then went on to take up the bass guitar on his own at the age of 11. At an early age, David knew that music was his calling. He performed all over the Detroit Area until he took an offer to work with a band in S.W. Florida in 1989. Since that time, David has become one of S.W. Florida’s premier musicians, and a “first call” bassist. Since 2000, David has toured with the Grammy Award winning legends, The Neville Brothers. He is also currently Bassist/Vocalist/Keyboardist of the Aaron Neville Quintet, with performances on Steven Colbert, CBS This Morning, David Letterman, Jay Leno, the Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres and The Martha Stewart Show to his credit.