Standing in the living room of her Willow Spring home, Ciera Bridgewater appears to be a typical 16-year-old girl. Dressed in jean capris and a T-shirt, she has long brown hair, an outgoing personality and a pretty smile.

But as the first strains of a song float from her CD player and she opens her mouth to sing, all comparisons to other 16-year-old girls fly right out the window.

And those in the music business are taking notice. Ciera is in the midst of recording her first album for Planet Nashville Records, an independent label and division of Gemini Moon Entertainment Group. Ciera and her family - dad Chris, mom Amy, and siblings Brittney, Bradley, Alexis and Chase - are gearing up to move to Nashville as Ciera pursues her musical career.

Though this is a dream come true for Ciera, the success of landing a record deal has been years in the making. Her love of music extends back over a decade.

"She'd always had the gift of singing," said Amy. "She was humming and making up songs before she could even talk."

The Bridgewater family moved to North Carolina from Indiana in 1998. As they put down roots in the community, they joined C3 Church, and Ciera began singing with the praise team. Driving in the car one day, they heard an advertisement on the radio encouraging parents to get their kids "discovered." After deciding to look into it, they were referred to a talent agency. At age 11, Ciera signed on with an agency and became involved in acting, modeling, and her favorite - singing. She began singing in showcases at the age of 12.

"I never get nervous before I sing," said Ciera. "I love it - the more people, the better!"

In fact, it's her mom who gets a case of the nerves every time Ciera takes the stage. And she's not the only gifted one in the family - four of the five Bridgewater children have been involved in acting or modeling.

Then in July 2008, Ciera performed at a showcase in Myrtle Beach. She sang "Flat on the Floor" by Carrie Underwood, and after the show, she was approached by Raynee Steele, the manager of Gemini Moon.

"I saw her perform at the showcase the year before and I thought she was very good then, but the next time I saw her she was the best singer in the whole entire show," said Steele. In fact, the manager could not say enough good things about her newest talent.

"There's something really special about her. She has a real shot at doing something serious in the business," said Steele. "She has a wonderful voice and is so beautiful, inside and out. She has a very strong work ethic, and that makes me happy, because it makes my job easier. She comes from good, strong family values, and that's exactly what I'm looking for in an artist. You just know she's been raised the right way."

This is evident in the family's lifestyle - the Bridgewaters aren't pushy, showbiz driven parents. They're down to earth, hardworking and friendly. All five of their children are homeschooled and the family regularly attends church. Chris and Amy, who both came from broken homes and had their eldest child while still in high school, are determined to give their children what they never had growing up.

"My parents have been totally amazing, and I want my life to reflect what my parents have done through raising me," said Ciera.

She’s got her own thing going

Ciera's first album is already underway - two songs have been recorded, with nine more to go. Ciera expects the album will be released by spring. Until the move to Nashville, she's filling her days with four to five hours of schoolwork and practicing songs from her album, belting out the tunes into a karaoke machine (a practice that often sends her brothers heading for the outdoors). According to Ciera, people are always approaching her at showcases and asking, "Could you just tell me how such a big voice comes out of such a tiny body?"

"It's just God given, and I've been really blessed," she said. "This is what I love to do. I want my music to help others, and I want to show my love for Christ through my music. Once I realized I actually had a voice, I just felt like this is what I was meant to do."

For Steele, there couldn't be a more perfect time for Ciera to be showcasing those God-given talents. With the phenomenon of young country singers like Taylor Swift, country music is becoming more popular than ever, especially with younger fans. And Ciera is already building up her young fan base - some of her diehard fans include the children she's been baby-sitting for years. The kids are already asking for backstage passes and providing an audience for impromptu concerts and dance parties in the living room. But don't call her the next Taylor Swift - according to Steele, Ciera has a sound that's all her own.

"She looks country and she sounds country, but she's got her own thing going - you'll definitely know who you're listening to when you hear her," said Steele.

Star in the making

The future is certainly looking bright for Ciera - not only does she have a manager who's been in the business for years (Steele was one of Dean Martin's original Golddiggers), but she also has a mentor in country music veteran Linda Davis, who has dueted with Reba McEntire and is the mother of Lady Antebellum lead singer Hillary Scott. Ciera and her family met Davis at a showcase several years ago and have been friends ever since.

"She has been such an inspiration, and she's an excellent role model to look up to," said Ciera.

The admiration is mutual.

"I see and hear such star potential in Ciera Bridgewater," said Davis.

And it's Ciera's parents who have recognized that star potential from the very beginning.

"I saw the gift she had from early on, and through this journey, she has just blossomed so much," said Amy. "She has a heart of gold, and I know she's definitely going to make a difference. She's one in a million, and I'm her biggest fan."

Ciera is hoping to build up a fan base among those in her hometown as well. She's been invited to return and perform at events like Christmas in Cleveland and the Strawberry Festival, so keep an eye (and ear) out for her at local events.

As far as musical influences go, Ciera's favorite artist is Reba McEntire. She also likes Linda Davis, Lady Antebellum and Carrie Underwood. Ciera has been learning to play the guitar the past few months and hopes to be able to perform on her next album. She and her producer Chad Webb are also planning to pen some songs together for her second outing as an artist. And what will happen if Ciera makes it big? She plans to find worthy charities to give back to, such as sponsoring children overseas. And she certainly won't forget those she loves.

"My dad has always wanted a Harley, but he's put that on hold for years so he could put money toward all of our dreams," said Ciera. "If I make it big, he's definitely getting that Harley."

Even as they make plans for the future, for now, the family is taking it one day at a time and just enjoying the journey.

"It will all be worth it," said Amy. "One way or another, God will allow it to fall into place, and we'll just take it one step at a time."

You can follow Ciera's journey as well. Learn more about her at www.cierabridgewater.net.