Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
With her 2008 debut, Sounds So Good, Ashton Shepherd proved to be a little trickier to peg than Miranda Lambert, the fiery singer/songwriter who may be her closest mainstream competition. Shepherd’s music has deeper roots than Lambert’s -- there’s a sense that it extends all the way back to the classic country of the ‘50s -- and she has a dark, smoky undertow to her voice that gives her an unpredictable soulfulness. These are aspects that give Shepherd considerable character but they make her a bit harder to market, which may be why her 2011 sophomore set, Where Country Grows, makes considerable effort to brighten and broaden her sound, to bring in listeners who may not have been seduced by the late-night vibes of Sounds So Good. To Shepherd’s considerable credit, her paeans to “Where Country Grows,” drinking “Beer on a Boat,” living in a place where there are “More Cows Than People,” and “Tryin’ to Go to Church” don’t play as panders; they’re infused with the same heart as the rest of the record and are crafted with the same sense of skill. Shepherd had a hand in writing the bulk of the record -- two of the most commercial cuts were penned by outside songsmiths, while Toby Keith alumni Bobby Pinson collaborated on two of Ashton’s best poppier tunes, “Where Country Grows” and “More Cows Than People” -- and she has a knack for tracing the arc of a relationship or looking back without wallowing in nostalgia, as on the grace note of a closer, “Rory’s Radio.” Shepherd is such a powerhouse singer that there’s never a relaxed moment on the record, not even when she eases into a ballad or a sunny pop tune like “I’m Good.” She’s the rarest of things in modern country: a singer who can’t help but be compelling no matter what she sings. Fortunately enough, she’s as good as a writer as she is a singer, which is what makes the slight smoothness and concessions to commerciality on Where Country Grows easy to accept: if that’s what it takes for Shepherd to establish herself, so be it -- the rewards are more than worthwhile.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Randy McCormick, Piano, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Additional Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Angaleena Presley, ComposerLyricist - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist - Robert Orrall, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Kevin "Swine" Grant, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
℗ 2010 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dale Dodson, ComposerLyricist - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - DEAN DILLON, ComposerLyricist - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Pinson, ComposerLyricist - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melonie Cannon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Pinson, ComposerLyricist - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Marv Green, ComposerLyricist - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Rhett Akins, ComposerLyricist - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Hayslip, ComposerLyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Troy Jones, ComposerLyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melonie Cannon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Shane McAnally, ComposerLyricist - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Brandy Clark, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mickey Raphael, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Guitar, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Greenberg, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Joe walker Jr., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Hajacos, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - J.T. Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Petaccia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Vestal, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan Yarborough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leland Elliott, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Scott, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Creasman, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
John Hobbs, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim "Moose" Brown, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - JT Corenflos, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Mendelson, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lowell Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Spivey, Fiddle, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - CHUCK AINLAY, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Cooley, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wyatt Beard, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Angaleena Presley, ComposerLyricist - Ashton Shepherd, MainArtist - Robert Orrall, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Stein, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kevin "Swine" Grantt, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Brandon Schexnayder, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Beckett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2010 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
With her 2008 debut, Sounds So Good, Ashton Shepherd proved to be a little trickier to peg than Miranda Lambert, the fiery singer/songwriter who may be her closest mainstream competition. Shepherd’s music has deeper roots than Lambert’s -- there’s a sense that it extends all the way back to the classic country of the ‘50s -- and she has a dark, smoky undertow to her voice that gives her an unpredictable soulfulness. These are aspects that give Shepherd considerable character but they make her a bit harder to market, which may be why her 2011 sophomore set, Where Country Grows, makes considerable effort to brighten and broaden her sound, to bring in listeners who may not have been seduced by the late-night vibes of Sounds So Good. To Shepherd’s considerable credit, her paeans to “Where Country Grows,” drinking “Beer on a Boat,” living in a place where there are “More Cows Than People,” and “Tryin’ to Go to Church” don’t play as panders; they’re infused with the same heart as the rest of the record and are crafted with the same sense of skill. Shepherd had a hand in writing the bulk of the record -- two of the most commercial cuts were penned by outside songsmiths, while Toby Keith alumni Bobby Pinson collaborated on two of Ashton’s best poppier tunes, “Where Country Grows” and “More Cows Than People” -- and she has a knack for tracing the arc of a relationship or looking back without wallowing in nostalgia, as on the grace note of a closer, “Rory’s Radio.” Shepherd is such a powerhouse singer that there’s never a relaxed moment on the record, not even when she eases into a ballad or a sunny pop tune like “I’m Good.” She’s the rarest of things in modern country: a singer who can’t help but be compelling no matter what she sings. Fortunately enough, she’s as good as a writer as she is a singer, which is what makes the slight smoothness and concessions to commerciality on Where Country Grows easy to accept: if that’s what it takes for Shepherd to establish herself, so be it -- the rewards are more than worthwhile.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:38:06
- Main artists: Ashton Shepherd
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: MCA Nashville
- Genre: Country
© 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2011 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.