Ashton Shepherd photo by Danny Clinch, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Where Country Grows is her sophomore album that is the impressive musical evolution following 2008’s Sounds So Good, which produced hits including the title track and "Takin’ Off This Pain." The Washington Post named Sounds So Good one of the best albums of 2008 of all genres, calling Ashton, "the real deal?brimming with personality." The Wall Street Journal said she was "a potential Loretta Lynn for a new generation." Billboard stated, "There are debut albums, and then there are debut albums that serve notice that the landscape has changed." Entertainment Weekly said the album "is the best mainstream country debut since Taylor Swift’s," while The Chicago Tribune, the Associated Press and dozens of other media outlets raved about the album as well.

You’ll find her deep country roots, earthy personality, feelings, humor and wisdom in every note of her new MCA Nashville album Where Country Grows. She is deeply pensive and philosophical on the ballad "While It Ain’t Raining," while she is merry and light-hearted in the spirited "More Cows Than People" and "Trying to Go to Church."

Songs like "Rory’s Radio" and "That’s Where Country Grows" are full of vivid imagery from her authentically rural lifestyle. She finds a fresh way to approach the classic country topic of marital discord in the lyrics of "That All Leads to One Thing." The throbbing, moody "I’m Good" is about surviving a breakup and "I’m Just a Woman" is a 21st century anthem for her gender.

The chorus of "I’m Just a Woman" says, "And I guess I'm just a woman and that's women do. We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, making sure every little thing goes through. And I know you're doing all you can and I know that after all you are just a man. But you should understand that I'm just a woman."