Carl Asch: Musical Vagabond's Winter Homecoming

At 55, Carl Asch has traveled the world while entertaining thousands. He leads a band of his own called The Empty Hats. His new album, "Songs of the Open Road," reflects a vagabond life and is filled with world-class talent, including contributions from three Grammy nominees.

Asch says that he always had the itch to get out of his hometown of Ramsey, NJ. He hit the road at 18 and never looked back. He was a street musician who performed in Central Park. He became an all-around performer, taking his bag of tricks and skills with him.

A show of magic and rope-walking was his game. Asch performed in different countries with the language translation to match. From Europe to Spain and Knoxville to Gulfport, Asch did what he knew best: entertain.

“I did it as a renaissance jester,” said Asch. “Then, I started performing at festivals all over the country as a variety performer.”

Since his days in Central Park, Asch has added knife-throwing and guitar-playing to his list of talents.

Asch’s band, The Empty Hats, has released five albums, while Asch has three solo albums on his own. As far as his transition from rope walking to music making, Asch credits the band Silly Wizard from Scotland. After receiving a casette tape of the group, he knew what his voice was meant to do.

“I put on my headphones and just started crying my eyes out,” Asch remembers. “It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard, and it turned out to be the music my voice was meant to sing.”

For the most part, Asch plays the guitar and leads in vocals. In addition, he also can play the penny whistle and a little of the mandolin.

Asch lives in Gulfport through the winter, but travels the other eight months of the year. He passed on his performing abilities to his son, Caleb Carinci-Asch, who is now 24 years old. Caleb is currently traveling with the Cirque du Soleil show, Cavalia.

Among Asch’s musician friends who perform on his new album ("Songs of the Open Road"), three have been nomiated for a Grammy award: Candace Night, Jonelle Mosser and David Macejka.

The album is a compilation of songs that Asch recorded during his travels. Each song is performed with a different band in a different state.

Tracks were recorded in cities all over the country, including Nashville, Los Angeles and St. Petersburg.

In some places, Asch will perform as many as nine shows in one day. He thrives on the pressure of a packed schedule. “I love it” said Asch. “I absolutely love being busy.”

Carl Asch's album is available for listening and purchasing here.