MEET THE CLASS OF 2008 With new artists appearing on the country music scene early in 2008, the year promises to be exciting already. Here are videos from three artists we think you’ll be hearing lots more from in the coming year! Introducing Ashton Shepherd ABOUT ASHTON SHEPHERD: She was born Ashton Delilah Shepherd on August 16, 1986. Her dad, Donnie, worked in a paper mill along the Alabama River. Mom Denise was a housewife and mother to Ashton, her two older brothers and younger sister. Both parents sang, and Denise’s attempts at guitar playing were emulated by both of her sons. But Ashton was even more precocious. As a child, she sang classic country tunes at local fairs, benefit shows and community events. When she was 14, her older brothers urged her to take up the guitar. When she was 15, her parents funded an album recorded at Alabama group member Jeff Cook’s studio in Ft. Payne, Alabama. Her mother took the cover photo. “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. A Nashville record producer heard Ashton, asked for a copy of her CD and invited her to come to Nashville to record some of her tunes. She arrived in Music City on August 29, 2006. Aware that she would need an attorney to deal with the Nashville music business, she telephoned an office she located on the Internet. The woman on the other end of the phone was kind and helpful. She was also connected, since she worked for the legendary producer and guitarist Jerry Kennedy. This led to meeting Jerry’s son Shelby Kennedy, who brought Ashton Shepherd to MCA. Less than a year from the date she arrived in Music City, Sounds So Good was completed with producer Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, etc.). “Everybody has said they’ve never seen anything happen like this,” says the honky-tonk Cinderella. “I can’t wait to meet people and for people to meet me. I hope everybody connects with my music as well as Nashville has. I think they will. I think people will feel the realness in my songs. I’ve always dreamed of this ride I’m about to take. I feel as blessed as I’ve ever felt in my life.” Lady Antebellum, "Love Don't Live Here" Live Nashville performance ABOUT LADY ANTEBELLUM In the summer of 2006, three gifted young adults walked into a house to create music, uncertain of where they were headed—and Lady Antebellum walked out. During that time, Hillary Scott's sultry alto, Charles Kelley's gritty tenor and multi-instrumentalist/harmony vocalist Dave Haywood's musical overview ignited a unique blend of harmonies reminiscent of classic country, a soulfulness of 1960s R&B, the heart-on-the-sleeve openness of 1970s singer-songwriters, all with a keen edge of contemporary country. Charles had begun his musical life playing drums with his older brother Josh Kelley (now a respected recording artist himself). It was apparent his passionate singing voice would bring him to the front of the stage soon; in 2005, Charles and his brother migrated from opposite ends of the country to Nashville. Dave had been playing a variety of musical instruments from a young age, but like Charles had looked to finance as a more realistic way to make a living—the proverbial "something to fall back on." He worked as an accountant for a year after graduation; during that year, Dave had the opportunity to travel the globe, working in such exotic locales as England and Japan. The daughter of Grammy Award-winning country artist Linda Davis and accomplished musician Lang Scott, Hillary Scott developed her passion for music at an early age as well. In high school, she joined her parents in the Linda Davis Family Christmas Show, and was instantly hooked. "When we started doing the Christmas show I thought, 'OK, this is really what I want to do for a living,'" she recalls. "I can't imagine doing anything else." With the guidance of acclaimed songwriter/artist Victoria Shaw, she earned plenty of local buzz as a solo artist, but a major-label opportunity evaporated in March 2006—just days after Dave arrived in town. Two months later, at downtown Nashville music spot, she recognized Charles, whose music she had been enjoying on his MySpace page. "I introduced myself and struck up a conversation," she remembers. "He said that we should get together and write sometime." Charles adds, "I just thought she was hot." Not knowing the hidden talent that would soon emerge, the boys were persistent to get together with Hillary. After they started writing, the three were inseparable the rest of the summer. "We held ourselves hostage in a writing room until the early hours of the morning every night," said Dave. Inspired by a just-for-fun photo shoot in vintage southern costumes, the trio settled on the last piece of the puzzle - a name for the band: Lady Antebellum. Purely ironic, their name represents the same sense of nostalgia found in the songs they sing. The three began posting demos on their MySpace page, and visitor feedback was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. The reaction was just as instantaneous when Lady Antebellum began playing small gigs around Music City. "It took on a life of it's own. There was no plan, we just kept churning out as many songs as we could," marvels Dave. The crowds grew from there—and grew, and grew again. Within a few months, they went from playing for a few dozen people to singing at the Grand Ole Opry and opening for such popular country acts as Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Rodney Adkins and Carrie Underwood. Early fans took it upon themselves to nickname the hot trio, Lady A. By April 2007, they had signed a recording contract with Capitol Nashville and begun recording their debut album with megaproducer Paul Worley and Hillary's mentor Victoria Shaw. Three young songwriter-musicians, with varied influences and backgrounds, whose blended vocals make a sound that is fresh and unique . . . even while it sounds like something you've known for a long time. For Lady Antebellum, the ride is about to begin. Chuck Wicks, "Stealing Cinderella" Behind the Scenes ABOUT CHUCK WICKS RCA Nashville recording artist, Chuck Wicks grew up on a family farm in Smyrna, Delaware. During college, Chuck found his musical direction and moved to Nashville five years ago to concentrate on songwriting and to pursue a career in music. His debut single “Stealing Cinderella,” was co-written with Rivers Rutherford and George Teren. Chuck combines both country and R&B influences into his music with his musical heroes ranging from Alan Jackson to Brian McKnight. He spends a majority of his time concentrating on songwriting and writes about 100 songs per year. A majority of his songwriting focuses on relationships – falling in love, looking for love, breaking up, etc. In September 2007, Chuck took part in the ill-fated reality television show Nashville, which only aired for two episodes before being canceled by the Fox network. The cancellation may have actually helped Chuck, since he was now able to focus on promoting the single and making his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. By the late fall the song was becoming a staple for the father/daughter dance at weddings, and at year's end it had reached the Top 15. Chuck's debut album, Startin' Now, will be in stores January 22, 2008.
