[2] He first performed at age nine on a local radio show, and released his first single in 1960 on Goldband Records.
This song made him the first country music artist "to write, record, release, distribute and publish his own material", according to Allmusic.
His chart success waned by 1969, however, and he shifted his focus to songwriting for other artists.
Marty Robbins also charted in 1973 with it, and Kenny Rogers sent a cover to No.
Ashley died in Hendersonville, Tennessee on October 20, 2013, after a lengthy illness.