Shepherd’s music video a finalist for coveted Josie Award

For an independent musical artist, ascending to notoriety and success can be a steep climb.

At the top of the mountain though, you’ll find the Josie Awards, the most prestigious award an independent artist can receive.

Simply being nominated as a finalist for a Josie Award provides independent artists valuable exposure and credibility. Walking off the Grand Old Opry stage as a Josie Awards winner can springboard an independent artist’s career.

And that’s exactly what Russellville resident Lucas ‘L.A.’ Shepherd hopes to do this September.

Shepherd’s music video for ‘Sally Sue Brown,’ which Shepherd recorded as a tribute to his uncle, Grammy-nominated songwriter Earl ‘Peanutt’ Montgomery, who co-wrote the song with Arthur Alexander and Tom Stafford, was recently announced as one of the 12 finalists for a Josie Award in Male Music Video of the Year.

Shepherd will attend the September 20th Josie Awards with hopes of making that same walk with a coveted Josie Award in hand.

Shepherd recently received notice he’d been selected as a finalist from among thousands of videos submittedfor Josie Awards consideration. Submissions are reviewed by an all-star panel of professional judges who tailor entries down to the 12 finalists in each category.

While obviously hoping he’ll win, Shepherd said simply being named a Josie Awards finalist was a landmark moment in his musical career.

“When I found out I was one of the 12 finalists, that was some pretty cool validation in its own right,” Shepherd said. “Whether I win or don’t win, it’s a rather surreal feeling to have a video good enough to stand on its own. And it’s special to be the song I recorded as a tribute to my uncle.”

‘Sally Sue Brown’ was first released in 1960 by June Alexander. When Bob Dylan recorded the song in 1988, though, it reached next-level status.

The video was produced in 2025 by Tonya Holly’s Cypress Moon Productions, Inc., a film and music production facility in the former Muscle Shoals Sound Studio building in Sheffield, and shot entirely on location at the Rattlesnake Saloon in Colbert County.

Holly, who owns the studio, is a Franklin County native born and raised in Red Bay. When Shepherd and his father Paul pitched the song to Holly, something clicked right away.

“When I first met with Lucas and Paul and heard the song, the 1800s came to my mind,” Holly said. “I wrote the storyline on the video and then called Rattlesnake Saloon. It’s my third video to shoot there.

”I immediately started putting the cast and crew together that would be able to do a period piece. Directing this video was one of my favorite projects and I’m very proud of Lucas and the entire team,” Holly added.

Shepherd signed with Cypress Moon Productions last year. He’s working with Holly and her company on a 10-song album, with ‘The Cowboy and Marie,’ its debut single, set to release next month along with a video.

His partnership with Cypress Moon is paying dividends for Shepherd.

“This is definitely a team thing, not a ‘me’ thing. Without Tonya, I couldn’t accomplish any of this,” Shepherd said.

The Josie Awards-nominated video includes several familiar Russellville faces. In addition to his father Paul, Russellville’s Wayne Frederick, Bobby Winston and Tommy Sherrod make appearances.

Shepherd added his appreciation to Lily Holly Retherford, who did the promotion and social media blitz of ‘Sally Sue Brown.’

Shepherd, who works at a Shoals automotive dealership, does several shows each month. He’s opened for Georgette Jones and twice for Darryl Worley.

He’s done some songwriting sessions with Mark Narmore, James LeBlanc, Will McFarlane and Billy Lawson, among others.

You can see his upcoming show dates and watch his ‘Sally Sue Brown’ video by following Shepherd on Facebook (L.A.Shepherd) and/or TikTok (@lashepherdfr). Click below for a link to the video: https://youtu.be/QEDH1xO4a4Q?is=XdULrnb6CgXbsqYg