Country singer Joanna Smith was raised in Georgia red clay country in Arlington, and after hearing the likes of Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and the Judds as a child, she made it her aspiration to be a singer, entering every talent show she could and doing whatever it took to get on-stage and sing. At the age of 18, while attending Auburn University on a full scholarship and singing in an all-girl country band called Mustang Sally, she made the decision to go for her dream. Smith left college and the band and moved to Nashville, where she began writing and recording demos of her music, eventually signing a publishing deal with Big Borassa Music. Networking by day and playing music at night, she landed a pair of songs with Billy Ray Cyrus, one of which, “Flying By,” appeared on his 2007 album Home at Last. She signed a deal with Sony Music Nashville and began work on an album. Smith's first single, “Gettin’ Married,” was released in 2010. ~ Steve Leggett