Ashton Shepherd is a contemporary country singer whose debut single "Takin' Off This Pain" hit the country charts in 2007. A native of Leroy, Alabama, Shepherd began performing country songs in local and regional talent contests at the age of eight, and self-released a demo CD in 2001 at the age of 15. Shepherd signed with MCA Nashville in early 2007 and released her debut album, SOUNDS SO GOOD, in early 2008.