A Shenango Valley native is living his music dream, but with a country twist.

Bobby Lee Miller has released his debut record, "Get Close to Me." The album's release was in late November in Florida, which Miller now calls home. The album is due in stores Wednesday. A video will show on Country Music Television in mid-December, Miller said.

As a teenager, Miller, who graduated in 1978 from Sharpsville High School, played in rock 'n' roll bands with his friends and wrote songs for all of them. Miller said his journey into country is a recent change of course for him.

"Country music is becoming easier to understand, and it's easier to relate to," he said, calling his style "ultra country" and "country pop."

"It's current music," he said, "with a country flavor."

Miller said he sent samples of his music to hundreds of record labels before getting a record deal.

"I was just about to give up," he said, "when I got a letter from Alto Records, asking to hear more of my music."

The singer-songwriter wrote and performed all the songs on the album, and played all the instruments.

Miller is planning an East Coast tour in the spring. He's hired a backup band to perform live shows, including his wife, Martie, who plays flute. The tour will conclude in Sharon, he said.

"It's the coolest thing, to be on stage and see people singing along," he said.

So far, he said, he's received positive reviews from many sources.

"One of the songs is in regular rotation in Phoenix, Ariz.," he said.

Samples of the album are available through www.bobbyleemiller.com.

The title cut, "Get Close to Me" combines bright upbeats and colorful melodies. Also available on the Web site is a sample of "Just One Kiss," the single's second track.

He still has several local ties -- a daughter and grandson in Sharon, his mother and stepfather in Hermitage and a brother in Masury.

"I try to get back two or three times a year," he said, "but that's not always possible with the music taking off like it is. But I really miss it."

On the Web: www.bobbyleemiller.com