A couple minutes into a conversation with Ashby erases any such thoughts. He is a soft-spoken man, but speaks often about his passion for God, his music and his best friend Darryle “Bo” Bohanna, who makes up the other half of R&B group Truth.

If there was ever a real life story of destiny, the story of Bohanna and Ashby might be it. Both are from Chicago and were brought up in deeply religious and musical households.

“There was always something going on musically around the house, and being in church, everybody’s musically inclined,” says Ashby, sophomore in performing arts.

“I pretty much got all of my musical foundation from the church,” explains Bohanna, junior in performing arts. “My family actually had a little group that used to sing in church.”

The church Bohanna attended was only a block away from Ashby’s home, but it wasn’t until the two both came to Iowa State to major in performing arts that they actually met. Bohanna, who at the time was part of a group called Mission, overheard Ashby practicing one day and immediately brought him into the group.

“Ever since that day we’ve been tight,” Ashby says.

You wouldn’t guess that the pair has only known each other for a few short years. They are more like brothers – but brothers who don’t fight or fuss or become envious of one another. The profound respect each has for the other is undeniable.

Take for instance the question of influences. Ashby, the modern-day R&B fan, cites artists like Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight. Bohanna on the other hand will tell you he goes more for the throwback groups like The Temptations. His biggest influence though, is the one sitting right next to him.

“Eric has been through a lot since he has been at Iowa State, him and his family. And to see how he copes with that and to see how he continues to push further, that really says something to me and inspires me.

“I’m going to tell you right now, if I was Eric, I would have probably dropped out of school and just broke down and just gave up on everything,” Bohanna says. “He’s still here on top of the game and still striving to be better, and I admire him for that.”

Ashby silently gazes at the floor while his friend and musical companion talks about the hardships he has endured. When asked to further elaborate, Ashby doesn’t go into great detail, but will say that “things aren’t going too good financially wise.”

The financial turmoil surrounding Ashby’s family just pushes him harder toward the group’s goal of making it big.

“I’m not ashamed or embarrassed by it,” Ashby says. “I’m paying my dues now so I can look back and remember when I take my mom to a new house and say, `This is your address now; this is what you have’ – tears in my mom’s eyes. Money can’t buy that.”

Truth will be one step closer to that goal in the coming weeks when it releases its new album, “Truth Untold.” According to the group, the album is in the final mixing stages and they hope to have it ready by spring break.

The theme of destiny comes into play again when speaking to Truth about “making it” in the music business. For Ashby and Bohanna, it isn’t a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

“I know that God wants me to do music,” Ashby says. “And a lot of people don’t know their purpose in life, but I’m glad I know mine while I’m young, and I’m supposed to do music.”

“We stand on God’s word and we know God is going to bless us,” Bohanna adds. “I’m not going to say there is no way, but when you are talented and gifted someone is going to see you and sooner or later you are going to make it.”