Jennette McCurdy didn’t grow up dreaming of being a country singer although she’s been a lifelong fan. The California native, who has already established herself as an actress on the hit Nickelodeon TV series, ‘iCarly,’ says she really discovered her passion for the music after hearing Faith Hill’s song, ‘Breathe’ — while browsing the arts and crafts section of a drug store.

“I was just taken aback,” Jennette tells Nashville’s Tennessean newspaper. “I felt like, if I can hear a country song and it hits me that strongly, maybe I could record country songs that hit other people that strongly.”

The 18-year old says once she set her heart on country music, there was no turning back, even though she was busy filming her TV show at the same time. “After work every day on set, I would go write with people,” she recalls. “Then on the weekends, I would go record demos. I continued that process for a couple of years until eventually signing my deal. It wasn’t like one day I just up and said, ‘I’m going to do this.’”

With her EP scheduled for an August 17 release, and her full album hitting shelves next year, Jennette says she believes her music will be enjoyed by both her younger fans and a more mature audience. “It’s definitely contemporary country and I don’t want to sound stupid, but I really do think it appeals to a lot of different ages. I think there are some songs that kids can like, because they can enjoy the great melodies and enjoy the energy on the up-tempos, and then I like to think the ballads are deeper concepts that people of any age can relate to.”

Still based in California, Jennette says she has no plans of exploring any other musical career other than country. “Nothing against pop, it’s just not for me,” she explains. “To me country music means a lot and if people are willing to have me, I’m willing to stick around. This is all so new for me and I’m so grateful for all I’ve been able to do. I’m just trying to enjoy every experience.”

As sharp-eyed Faith Hill fans, know, by the way, when Jennette was 8, she appeared as the superstar’s daughter in the video for ‘The Way You Love Me,’ which was the follow-up single to ‘Breathe.’ Jennette will have the opportunity to perform with the woman who introduced her to country music this weekend, when she opens for Faith on Friday and Saturday (July 22 and 23) at two shows in California.