Before this thread hits bottom and, we hope, disappears: Ashley is a phenomenal Cape Breton fiddler, and can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the universally recognized greats: Winston Fitzgerald, Angus Chisholm, Buddy MacMaster ... at that level of ability, it becomes a subjective matter of personal preference for certain stylistic approaches and habits as to which musician is superior to another. Btw, I would put Natalie MacMaster right up there as well.

Having said that, Ashley has given at least one bad performance - I saw it - and apparently has done and said some quite stupid things.

Make of it what you will. I don't think there is a neat conclusion.