Ashton Shepherd

Ashton Shepherd was born in Coffeeville, Alabama, United States. She began singing at an early age, and started writing songs at age five. By age eight, she had entered her first talent competition, where she sang Patsy Cline songs, and soon afterward, she began performing at various local venues as well. Her parents helped her finance a self-titled CD, which she released independently at age fifteen. In June 2006, she entered and won a talent contest in Gilbertown, Alabama. The prize was being the opening act for Lorrie Morgan in concert. Shepherd won the opening slot, and while performing as Morgan\'s opener, she was spotted by a representative of MCA Nashville Records, who then signed her to the label in April 2007.\n', '

Her debut single, "Takin\' Off This Pain," was released in September 2007, the same month in which she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. The song, which peaked…