17 year-old Emma Peterson was in the Chevy Tailgate singing competition at Countryfest where she will compete with three others for a chance to have studio time in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

"It had to be an original song since it was a contest to go and record your own music, so I sang my song called I Will Be There." says Peterson.

 

Three other finalist will be chosen for this contest during the Craven Country Jamboree, Big Valley Jamboree and Havelock Country Jamboree.

 

Peterson says it was an emotional and overwhelming day as she got to perform on the main stage in front of a lot of people, and got to meet Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum.

 

"I was freaking out because when I started to learn to play guitar I learned Lady Antebellum songs first. So it was kind of cool experience like, here I am now about to go on the main stage to announce the winner and I sang their songs when I first started, so it was kind of cool."

 

Online voting doesn't start until August 29th and it ends on September 10th and a winner will be announced on September 11th. 

 

To vote you can go here: chevy-tailgate.com