Asheville – Asheville group Ashes & Arrows, a dynamic country/rock band with roots stretching from the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, to the Alps of Arrowtown, New Zealand, found each other at a local Open Mic Night. They liked each other’s sound and started talking. Just under three years later, they auditioned for and got onto America’s Got Talent (AGT). Known for their soaring harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and electrifying stage presence, the band delivers a sound that captivates audiences far and wide.

<strong>They Met At An Open Mic Night</strong>
According to musician Ciaran (pronounced Keeran) McMeeken, “The last thing we were thinking about doing in life was joining a band, but we saw each other sing and had a bit of a synergy. We’re about the same age, and we thought we were decent singers.” Jonathan Calhoun, the band’s gravelly voice, laughingly added, “We’ve got the same amount of dumb; I resonate with these guys.”
They got together a couple of days later but didn’t really expect to do anything. They didn’t anticipate writing any music, but they ended up writing a song. When the song turned out well, they realized that they all sang in a particular register, and it just kind of worked.
After writing the song, they returned to the same open mic night and performed it. They invited a bunch of friends out, and according to Ciaran, “It was just an electric feeling in the room. There was big applause at the end.”
<strong>We Only Had One Song</strong>
A couple approached them afterward and said they wanted to book them for their wedding. There was just one problem: they only had one song. Even though they had been musicians for years, they didn’t know any of the same songs.
Jonathan ended up booking shows, so they all had to pull from their own repertoires and play what they knew, but they weren’t yet performing those beautiful harmonies. After a few gigs, they started to figure out how to sing the songs they had been playing along with.
They mostly played around Asheville but eventually branched out to South Carolina and Nashville. If any of them had contacts, they would go to where they were and play at bars and restaurants.
<strong>America’s Got Talent Stage</strong>
Then came America’s Got Talent. They sang their first original song, “Here To Love,” and the audience loved them. All of the judges appreciated their performance except Howie Mandel, who said he would have a great time listening to them in a pub but not for AGT.
Despite that, they made it through to the next round. They won Howie and everyone else over in that second round by singing their original song “Wild Horses.” Simon Cowell loved the band, especially Jonathan’s voice. That performance advanced them to the semi-finals, which was as far as they got, but it garnered them significant attention.
They received offers from almost every record label, but the industry is so different now that they weren’t sure they wanted to sign with a label. They are currently working independently and have released their debut album on CD and vinyl called “Chapter One: The Long Road North,” produced by Jamie Tate in Nashville. With this album, the band is stepping into an exciting new chapter. Combining influences from their diverse origins with their signature sound, they aim to connect with listeners on a global scale, offering music that is as meaningful as it is memorable.
<strong>Two New Releases Are Available</strong>
In the band’s most recent newsletter, they announced a new four-song live EP that has just been released: “The Ashes & Arrows Live In-Studio EP.” “There is something undeniably raw and honest about live recordings,” they said. “We think this EP captures that energy perfectly.”
Both the album and the live EP are available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms, or you can check out www.ashesandarrows.com.