HOT DISH: Ashton Shepherd Still Enjoys the Rural Life

January 26, 2009; Written by Hazel Smith

(CMT Hot Dish is a weekly feature written by veteran columnist Hazel Smith. Author of the cookbook, Hazel's Hot Dish: Cookin' With Country Stars, she also hosts CMT's Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith and shares her recipes at CMT.com.)

When I first heard Ashton Shepherd sing, my breath almost left my body. I finally met her last April in Indianapolis and felt as though I had known her all my life. When she came to my kitchen recently, Ashton and I were like longtime friends.

Her debut album, Sounds So Good, was rated as one of the year's finest on a bevy of "best of" lists at the close of 2008. Her clear, nasal vocals -- performing her homemade songs -- grabbed the attention of music lovers who pay attention.

Ashton had been off the road for about a month when she came by the house to shoot CMT's Southern Fried Flicks. I wanted to cook food she liked, so I made chicken pie, okra and tomatoes, crowder peas, ambrosia and apple pie. I think I hit a home run, especially with the okra and tomatoes. Ashton dug in for seconds and thirds, and so did her hubby, Roland.

Ashton and Roland live in a single-wide mobile home behind his parents' house in Leroy, Ala., surrounded by acres of tomatoes, collards, peas and corn. Between the two residences, Roland and his brother built a 12x16 picking shed. They enjoy the pool table, and they hang their instruments on the wall. A bunch of big-time drinkers from the neighborhood decided they'd party there, but they quickly found out that the picking shed is for picking, not partying. Even the couple's 3-year-old son, James, plays his drums along with mama's album.

"We could build us a $500,000 house, but the trailer is comfortable and easy to keep clean, and there's no house payment," Roland laughed. "We farm four acres and used to farm 32 acres but don't have time to do that anymore." Roland smiled when Ashton told me her daddy had a "sloshing cooler" in his truck when he came to the hospital when James was born.

She and Kellie Pickler opened shows during Sugarland's 2008 tour. Returning home on Dec. 12, just in time for the holidays, Ashton has been busy writing songs.

"I've written 10 new ones," she said. She'll no doubt perform some of those when she opens shows for Little Big Town and others this year.

The premiere date of Ashton's visit on Southern Fried Flicks is Feb. 22. You won't want to miss this fun-filled show with Billy Crystal starring in City Slickers.