Reality TV favorite Julianne Hough hopes to dance into hearts of country fans

But at 19, the Utah native admits to feeling some performance anxiety - just like all teenagers. "I always get nervous energy, but I like the nervousness," she told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Anxiety might be expected for Hough, as she steps away from the spotlight of professional dancing into a new arena, where success isn't predestined. She releases her first music album next week, and next month begins her first tour as a country-singer, opening for Brad Paisley alongside fellow opener Jewel, the pop singer who is making a foray into country music, too.

Country music has been successful for other reality-TV stars, including Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler of "American Idol" fame, and executives at Hough's label believe her built-in fame will translate into sales. Luke Lewis, Universal Music Group Nashville chairman, said he didn't watch "Dancing with the Stars," and yet was impressed with Hough's voice even before he knew who she was or what she looked like. He compared Hough' potential star power and work ethic to superstar Shania Twain.

"I heard the depth of her talent," he said. "It's a huge bonus that she has millions of fans."

Last year, Hough released a well-received single that reached the top-100 Billboard singles charts, despite not receiving radio play. The first single off her album, "That Song in My Head," has already broken into the top-30 of the Billboard country charts. The album is the No. 4-most pre-ordered music album on Amazon, ahead of Scarlett Johansson's first album and Green Day's side project, the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

"It's been doing great," Hough said about the single, which is an upbeat slice of pop-country that showcases an impressive voice and likable personality. "I never would have thought it would do that well."

The key to her album's hoped-for success, Hough claims, is producer David Malloy, noted for his work with Reba McEntire. "He is my best friend," Hough said. "He is a perfectionist."

Hough said she wanted to show off all of her sides, so the album isn't all cheery songs. It also includes songs with lyrics about being jilted in love and seeing a friend go through an alcohol-induced downward spiral. "I wanted [the album] to really be me," she said. "Everyone knows me as a goody-two-shoes."

The song Julianne is most proud of, she said, is a song written by her sister, "Dreaming Under the Same Moon," in which Hough duets with her brother Derek, who is also an aspiring singer and "Dancing with the Stars" favorite.

"We've always sang together, ever since we were little," she said.

Hough is gearing up for Paisley's tour, which kicks off June 11 in New Mexico, and isn't routed through Utah. When you look at the opening acts Paisley has selected in the last two years, the impressive list includes some of the most popular female artists in country music: Underwood, Pickler and Taylor Swift.

"He's had amazing company," she said. "I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it."

OK, OK. Maybe she's not so nervous after all.