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Former Duet Partners Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Give Advice to Rising Star Ashton Shepherd
GAC’s "Into the Circle" (Ep. 3) airs October 4 at 10 pm ET
Nashville, Tenn. - (September 29, 2008) – From the time she was a little girl, becoming a country music singer was Ashton Shepherd’s main ambition. She first met her husband during an impromptu performance and she remembers dancing with her husband at their wedding to “My Kind of Woman, My Kind of Man,” one of the many show-stopping hits from Patty Loveless and Vince Gill. On the third episode of GAC’s Into the Circle (October 4, 10 pm ET), Shepherd’s career and life intersect once again when she meets both Gill and Loveless in a one-on-two mentoring session to receive guidance on how to achieve her musical dreams.
Honored by the pairing, Shepherd called the experience to meet the artists “amazing” given her loyal following as a child. Gill’s charismatic approachability and Loveless’ encouragement, help put Shepherd’s anxieties to rest as she tries to absorb as many of the invaluable lessons they graciously provide.
Shepherd admits her nerves have always inhibited her from being comfortable away from home and in the public eye. That is until one special encounter at the Grand Ole Opry changed it all.
“I played the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 29 last year and I passed Little Jimmy Dickens in the hall. He kissed me on the hand while we were on stage and said, ‘Don’t be nervous.’ It’s moments like that that made me realize this is what I was born to do.”
Loveless informs Shepherd performing at the Opry is a knee-buckling venture for everyone that receives the honor. She shares the humorous advice Loretta Lynn gave her before one of her first Opry performances that stuck with her throughout her career. Loveless also charges Shepherd to lead the way for the artists to come.
“It’s important [artists like Loretta] have passed these things on, and they continue to pass them on. Now you can be one to carry it all—make an impact on the next generation to come.”
Expanding on Loveless’ insight, Gill claims the greatest impact comes with thankfulness. “Be gracious. There is nothing worse than seeing someone that is full of themselves; someone that’s arrogant. Patti never possessed any of that. She’s got a humility about her that’s so engaging. Always has been, always will be. People root for people like that.”
In being able to share this quality time with Gill and Loveless, Shepherd says she couldn’t be more thankful.
“[I’m thankful] for ya’ll to be so open and nice to me and for us to sit here at the Ryman and talk about the Opry. I’m just thinking about how many years hopefully I will have to be able to meet you again and spend more time with you. This is just an experience that I won’t ever forget.”
Into the Circle, is GAC’s newest series that pairs up-and-coming artists with Opry members to learn valuable career advice. Tune in October 18, for Into the Circle featuring Rodney Atkins and newly inducted Opry member Charlie Daniels.
For more information on Into the Circle, visit gactv.com.
About Great American Country
Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment. GAC delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. GAC broadcasts original country music programming, country music performance specials, live concerts, music videos, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 54 million households and online at GACTV.com.
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