PROFILE: Country singer Ashley Wineland

Country singer Ashely Wineland is one of more than a dozen acts scheduled to perform at Saturday's Maricopa Music Festival.

MUSIC

Genre: Country
First instrument: Trumpet and then guitar
Favorite instrument: Guitar
Why be a musician? I’ve always enjoyed performing. It’s always spoken to me. It hit me around sixth grade that this was something I wanted to do with my life.
Why Maricopa Music Festival? I’m excited to say I’m one of the first performers and I really like that it’s helping a lot of charities.
When did you start your music career? A little over two years ago
When did you realize you wanted to play music? Always being in front of people made me embrace this career, I always knew “Wow, this is what I want to do!”
What should people know about you? My main goal is to inspire and help others through music. I donate all my proceeds to charities and use this platform to raise awareness for causes.
What is greatest challenge as a musician? Just being a new face on the scene.
Greatest opportunity? The opportunity to give back for causes to be promoted, to find and interact with fans and to create a band.
What should people expect from your performance? High-energy, fun, family-friendly entertainment.
Who would be your ideal artists to tour with? Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban
Musical dream: Wherever it ends up taking me, whether it makes me world famous or just local, wherever the roads lead me with my music.

PERSONAL

Family: My mom, Kim, my father, Brent, and my younger brother Jacob
Hometown: Glendale
Hobbies: Competitive figure skater for nine years, reading and hiking
Currently reading: Angela’s Ashes
Dream dinner companions (table for 4): Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton
I wish I was … able to put a lot more time into charity work than I currently do. It’s always very rewarding.
I’m most thankful for … having as many people as I do around me and there to support me.
What song describes you? “Perfect Not Me” is a song I wrote talking about how I am who I am no matter what anybody thinks.