Singing has always been a part of local singer/songwriter Tina Smith’s life, but it wasn’t until recently that she was recognized for her talents.

Smith wanted to get her music out there for more people to hear, so she entered a contest and placed in the top five in the Christian/Gospel category with her song, “I’m so blessed.” The song is now a part of her CD called “Let His Life Shine.”

More than 1,500 songwriters from 46 countries competed the Great American Song Contest. Smith said she was thrilled to be named one of the top winners.

Judges comments from contest that ended in March, said Smith’s selection has “first-rate song writing.”

“The title hook-ins (are) clear and memorable. The melodic elements capture the emotional tone of the words perfectly and the lyrical story is uplifting and consistently engaging. It’s a pleasure to hear such impressive and inspirational song writing,” were the judges comments on Smith’s song.

Smith said the words to her songs come to her when she is driving. The song, “I’m so blessed” came to her on a trip back to her hometown in West Virginia. She kept the napkin that still has the original words from the song on it.

“The song came straight from God,” said Smith.

She said some men at her church were teasing her about writing the words to a song while driving and asked if they should stay off the road when she’s driving. She said her son’s response to that was, “If God can give her the words to a song, don’t you think he can drive the car, too?”

Smith calls her style of music, “upbeat bluegrass.”

Smith gives 100 percent of the money she earns singing and through her CD sales to charity. She sent 600 CDs to missionaries living abroad. She recently sent $800 to missionaries in the Philippines to purchase bicycles.

Of the 1,000 CDs Smith produced, she has a limited supply left to sell. She’s already dreaming about selling her next thousand CDs.

In addition to her day job, selling Mary Kay cosmetics, Smith travels from state to state singing in different churches. She recently traveled to five states over the course of two months. She gives all the money she receives from that ministry to charity as well.

Smith submitted another song called, “Let His Light Shine Through You.” For that song, she got high marks, but was not in the top five.

Smith plans to continue writing and producing more CDs. As one of the judges told her at the competition, “Keep writing and keep learning.”

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.