With stints in the duo Tinderbox with guitarist Dave Menday, and as part of the original line-up of the Albion Country Band, Steve Ashley had built a growing reputation as a harmonica player and traditional singer-songwriter by the early-1970s and was ready to embark on a solo career. In 1974, Ashley released his first solo album, STROLL ON, Folk Review magazine's Contemporary Folk Album of the Year. He made the unlikely move to Motown for SPEEDY RETURN. While he toured extensively, but recorded little in the late-70s. He returned to the studio to record STEVE ASHLEY'S FAMILY ALBUM in 1983 with Fairport Convention members Dave Pegg, Bruce Rowland, and Simon Nicol. After retreating to session work, he made a welcome return with 2001's EVERYDAY LIVES.