Before she launched a pop career, Ashlyne Huff developed her songwriting skills under the guidance of her father, a country producer and session guitarist who, during Huff’s childhood, played on albums by Michael Jackson, Faith Hill, and Madonna. After taking dance lessons and musical classes as a child, she enrolled in the Belmont University Music Business program, where she studied publishing and copyright law while continuing to work on her own music. As graduation loomed, Huff was approached by Anderson Merchandisers, a national media retailer with intentions of launching a record label. Huff became the first artist signed to the new label, Liquid Digital Media, and she finished her last year of school before setting to work on a full-length album. In 2008, Huff co-wrote a song that appeared on the Pussycat Dolls’ Doll Domination. She also began collaborating with Mike Busbee and Mathias Wollo on the music that would eventually comprise her own record. The self-titled album appeared in 2010, featuring Huff’s byline on every track, and she supported its release by joining Jordin Sparks’ Battlefield Tour that summer. ~ Andrew Leahey