WOODSTOCK — Madison Shea is making the most of her early start in the music industry.

The 15-year-old singer-songwriter from Woodstock already has a record deal with Wurld Records — a Nashville-based independent record label and production house — a released Extended Playlist and a first place recognition at the 2012 Georgia Music Awards in the Country Youth category.

Shea’s mother, Barbra Hornsby, said she recognized her daughter’s singing potential at the age of 2, and knew that she had immense talent.

“My husband would always play a Shania Twain CD when he dropped her off at day care,” Hornsby said. “In no time, she already had the lyrics of the entire CD memorized. She’s basically been singing ever since she could talk.”

From as young as the age of 6, Shea was already aiming at the limelight.

“Whenever we would go to restaurants or any place with a stage, Madison would want to go up and sing for everyone,” Hornsby said.

Shea, who likes to classify herself as a country/pop artist according to her website, said she has always had a passion for music, but it wasn’t until she was 11 and completed a poetry assignment for an English class that she started writing her own music.

“I realized that poetry came naturally to me,” Shea wrote on her website. “Whenever I am frustrated, sad, or excited about school, friends or boys, I let out my emotions into a song. Sometimes I write the lyrics first and then I play around on the piano or my guitar to add the melody. Other times, I’m playing the piano or guitar and a song flows out based on what I’m feeling.”

Shea has been with Wurld Records for about a year now and has enjoyed the support she has received from the label.

“Everyone is really nice and lighthearted,” she said. “They are extremely helpful.”

A day in the studio for Shea typically lasts about two to three hours, but can sometimes take longer.

“We go to the studio around 10,” Shea said. “Then, we upload the song and write out the chords and the chorus. After that, we put a drumbeat to it and record the vocals.”

Shea also notes that all of her hard work and determination is well worth it, especially since she already has recognition for it, even though she didn’t expect to take home the top prize for the Country Youth category of the 2012 Georgia Music Awards on June 16 at the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta.

“I was shocked, actually,” she said. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I asked God ‘If you want me to win this, please let me accept it in your name.’”

The Georgia Music Awards, according to its website, is “truly an awards show by the people and for the people.”

The voting process occurred in three steps.

First, contestants placed their video on the website, www.georgiamusic

awards.com, in one of the 20 categories.

Fans were then able to vote on the nominees and the top artists were reviewed by a panel of judges.

Finally, the people and their fans voted one more time from the selected finalists; however, write-in nominations were still accepted at this stage.

For winning her category at the Georgia Music Awards, Shea was given the opportunity to present an award at the Carolina Music Awards on July 15.

Shea was grateful to be able to present the award, especially since she was on the other side of the scenario just one month prior.

“I knew what the girls were feeling,” Shea said. “So when I presented the award, I understood.”

Shea’s first EP, “I’ve Got a Secret,” released July 2011, and contains six songs: “Escape,” “I’ve Got a Secret,” “Sorry,” “Free Girl,” “Fairy Tale” and “Your Princess.” It is available on iTunes for $5.94.

“I was really excited to get all my songs out there,” Shea said.

Her song “I’ve Got a Secret” was selected as Country Atlanta’s song of the month for March 2012.

Shea does not plan to stop here.

“I hope to spread my music,” she said, “and hopefully attract larger labels.”

Shea has multiple videos on Youtube of her performing original songs as well as covers, with two videos near the 20,000 view mark.

Shea has been performing at local venues for about a year and a half now, with recent events including political events for Rep. Steve Davis and Rep. Jay Neal.

Shea’s next performance will be at the Snellville Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The venue is located at 2342 Oak Rd., Snellville, Ga., 30078.

For more information about Shea, visit her website at www.madison

sheamusic.com or follow her on twitter at @msheamusic.