CJaye LeRose Finds Country Career in Full Bloom

With more than 18,000 Twitter followers and over two million unique views on her YouTube channel (which boasts more than 32,000 subscribers), it seems strange to consider CJaye LeRose a country music newcomer. But for hopeful artists building a fan base, social media and video channels are just the latest tools helping to create the hoped-for "buzz" that takes an act to the next level.

But it isn't merely Internet savvy that Texas-born CJaye has going for her. Many of her songs are delivered with tongue firmly in cheek, and her good-natured humor and fresh approach to country music is allowing fans to learn more about her every day. Yet CJaye, who grew up in a suburb outside Houston, confesses she had her own learning to do early on when it came to country music.

"I was obsessed with Shania Twain and Deana Carter," says the 25-year-old singer, "and I honestly believed that George Strait was the same 'George from Texas' who called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home!"

As a freshman at Texas Tech University, the singer penned her first song, a witty ditty called 'Date With the Tub.' Her debut single, 'The Porch,' is the lead single from her debut album which is due this year. It's another dose of clever wordplay in which she suggests to her man "a night out with the big, bright stars" ... on the porch. (Listen to 'The Porch' below.)

Having relocated to Nashville early this year, CJaye says confidently, "This is where I belong! I absolutely love Nashville, and I'm here to stay! When I got here, I started hearing all of these incredible songs at songwriter's nights. I am such a fan of songwriters, and I knew immediately that I wanted to include some of those songs on my CD." Those songwriters include Roxie Dean (Jamie O'Neal's 'When I Think About Angels') and Bonnie Baker, who penned 'Ordinary Life' for Chad Brock.

Another of CJaye's passions is quite literally a "pet" project -- promoting pet adoption. "I actually started my You Tube Channel to get out the 'adopt your dogs' message," she notes. "I've written a song called 'Mutt In a Cage' that I hope will encourage people to adopt their pets, and we're currently trying to find the right pet-centered partner organization. My goal is to have all of the proceeds from the sale of this song go toward promoting pet adoption and helping defray the cost of spaying and neutering pets."

While she frequently plays live shows in Nashville and Houston, CJaye recently posted a video to her website's tour page, revealing which superstar's tour she'd like to join. Hint: there's water involved ... which makes perfect sense for someone with 'rose' in her name.