COFFEYVILLE — Torey Smart has started the 2009-10 school year in training.
But, she’s not toning up her muscles for a volleyball match or gearing up for a soccer game.

Instead, she’s keeping her vocal chords warmed up and well tuned for competition in the Colgate Country Music Showdown, which will be held at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kan., on Sept. 20.

Smart, a student at Coffeyville Community College, won the local competition of the Colgate Country Music Showdown in Coffeyville in July, thereby qualifying her for the state competition in Hutchinson. Should she win at the state level, Smart will compete for regional and national honors, where a Nashville recording contract awaits the winner.

“It would be awesome to win that,” said Smart of the recording contract. “For now, I’m just taking it one step at a time.”

At the local contest in July, Smart performed the song “Here Comes Goodbye” by the country music group Rascal Flats. She’ll perform that same song on the state fair stage, where, she admits, her nerves might be a bit tighter as she peers into an audience filled with state fair goers.

Smart is no stranger to the musical stage. She currently serves in a Christian rock band called Plus 1, which was formed by her younger brother Cooper Smart.

She also performed in the CCC Concert Choir, the CCC Soundsations plus was active in vocal music at Field Kindley High School, where she graduated in 2008.

Regardless if she advances in the Colgate Country Showdown, Smart says she plans to pursue a career involving music.

“I really would like to be a music teacher,” she said. “I think music is a great way to reach kids.”

Torey is the daughter of Andy and Alicia Smart of Coffeyville.

• Andy Taylor admits to sounding like a bullfrog when he sings but admires anyone with a pretty face and talented voice.  If you know of someone or something that is unique to Montgomery County, let Taylor know for his “This Is My Montgomery County” series.  Emails can be sent to him at chronicle@taylornews.org. Or call 336-2100 or 879-2156.