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Springdale's Jenee Fleenor is up for what would be a sixth-straight Country Music Association Award for Musician of the Year Wednesday night.

Coverage of the CMA Awards will begin at 6:30 p.m. on 40/29 with the red carpet. The ceremony itself will begin at 7 p.m.

Before winning her fifth award in 2023, she talked exclusively with 40/29 News about her journey to country music stardom and what she misses most about Arkansas.

Fleenor said she actually started playing music when she was just three years old.

The award-winning fiddle player graduated from Springdale High School before making the move to Music City.

She had a few pieces of advice for anyone wanting to make it big in music.

The first – do the work.

"I had to practice an hour a day before I could — you know — have a sleepover, go to the mall, do all these things. That was pretty much my job. I knew if I wanted to reach my goals, I had to practice an hour a day, and that's what it took," Fleenor said.

Secondly – she said don't be afraid to hear "no."

"Now I realize, like, songwriters that told me no before, it's just they're so busy. They can only write with so many people, so if someone tells you no, they can't, that's OK, move on to the next thing and just let it roll off your back," Fleenor said.

She said for any aspiring country music star, Nashville is where you'll need to be.

"You have to make the move at some point. Some people, they might be a big fish in a little pond, and then when you move to Nashville, it's pretty overwhelming," Fleenor said.

Her career has led her to record and perform with a who's-who list of artists.

She talked about whether that's something you ever get used to.

"I guess it just becomes more comfortable. Like, I've been here for over 20 years, and when I walk into a room, I've recorded with most of these artists who are in here now. I remember those times when I walked in, and I didn't know anybody, and now I get the call like, "This is your red carpet time," Fleenor said.

One of the things she said she misses most about Arkansas is the beauty of the Natural State and the Ozark Mountains.

"Every time I come home, I want to go hiking more. Of course, I'm always busy running around seeing all my friends and family, but sometimes I'll end up at Devil's Den," Fleenor said.

However, she said the best of Arkansas will always be this.

"Number one are the people. Ya'll have been really, really great to me, and yeah, it means so much. I love my hometown folks. I always…you know…when I go out and play shows, sometimes I hear from those people who come out and see me. I just love all my hometown folks. I miss ya'll dearly,” she said.

Besides winning Musician of the Year multiple times, Fleenor was also the first woman to ever win the award.