Oconee Woman Among Top 25 Finalists in National Singing Competition

It began with a video submission, and now an Oconee County woman is a finalist vying for the top prize in a country music singing contest.

Eighteen-year-old Emily McCannon has been singing all her life and dreams of becoming a country music singing sensation. 

That's why she sent an entry for a chance to be the opening act at a Rascal Flatts concert, she told The Oconee Leader in the newspaper's latest edition.

Emily advanced to the second round of the Flatts Fest 2011 Karaoke Challenge, where she performed at Lakewood Amphitheater. She was picked as one of 25 finalists in the nation and the only one from Georgia, according to the article.

Watch Emily perform Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and vote for her on the Chartbuster Karaoke Facebook Page.

Voting takes place through Nov. 30 and the winner will be announced on December 30. You can vote once daily.

The grand prize winner scores a trip to the Smoky Mountains to record their own CD and will open a select show for Flatts during their 2012 tour, according to the Rascal Flatts website.

What's your favorite Rascal Flatts tune? Tell us in the comments.