Someone once said, "You can't go home again." The originator of that quote must not have been thinking about former Miss West Virginia (2004) and Petersburg High School graduate Julia Burton. Burton was in town for the recent Spring Mountain Festival, reconnecting with some old friends and, perhaps more importantly, wowing 'em with her musical talent. The West Virginia University graduate was on stage for Saturday's festival activities. Afterward, she mingled with members of the audience and signed autographs. These days, Burton is going full bore in pursuit of her Nashville music career, complete with a band and new RV/bus. "Every day, I'm trying," explained Burton about what it takes to achieve her career goals. "I'm working 365 days a year."

The independent-label performer is currently gearing up for a multi-state "radio tour" this summer. She expects there will be stops at 80-90 radio stations.

She's hoping that marathon bus trip includes fewer hills and valleys than the band experienced on their recent ride in from Nashville. Let's just say, the bus doesn't handle mountain roads as well as a sports car.

When Burton finally "makes it," she won't be one of those overnight "American Idol" sensations. After leaving West Virginia following her Miss America stint, Burton has been toiling in the Nashville scene for several years, singing at lounges and grills. A couple of her singing spots are legendary in the Nashville scene; Tootsies and Third and Lindsley.

"I'd sing two or three nights a week ... four hour gigs," said Burton, who sang front of audiences ranging from just two patrons up to several hundred. "Even with an audience of two, I at least tried to do my best show."

Jokingly, Burton described her lounge duties as being something akin to "a walking jukebox."

Her prefered musical style is country/southern. Burton feels a connection with that music, having spent her pre-Nashville days working with the state Division of Highways and at Wal-Mart.

As an up-and-coming performer, Burton is trying to find her own voice in what can sometimes be a crowded entertainment world. As part of that effort, Burton is attempting to build a repertoire of original songs.

Her two current so-called signature songs are "Power of a Woman" and "What a Woman Wants." Rated as "A" tunes by Burton, both were found through a process known as a "song search." The search combed the thousands of songs penned every year for Nashville consumption.

"It's tough to do - take a song and make it your own," said Burton.

Burton's band was assembled with the assistance of a manager. Members include Ray Whitlock and Carl Melberg. All have previous band and studio experience, some working with such headliners as Ronnie Vanzant.

Regarding her own musical roots, Burton said they include listening to the Judds and Tammy Wynette with her mother, to Lynard Skynard and Tom Petty.

As a child, Burton liked watching tapes of her mother, Julia, trying out on a TV talent search show, "You Could Be a Star."

When she moved to Nashville, Burton worked with a voice coach to sharpen her skills.

Burton said "Miss West Virginia" experiences prepared her for some of the challenges faced by a newcomer to the Nashville scene. At the same time, she said hard work was at least as important.

Her upcoming show dates include a June 5 appearance at the CMA Fan Fest.