Chilton County’s own Jodi Walker has flexed the golden pipes in front of a crowd before.

Hundreds of standing fans with their hats off and hands over their hearts never bothered her during a heartfelt rendition of our National Anthem.

At least Walker doesn’t sound like she’s nervous.

“I get nervous every time, but it’s not so bad,” Walker said.

When she’s needed, she will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the first pitch at the minor league Mobile Baybears home baseball games. An usher at the games for the past couple of seasons, Walker shrugs it off and grabs the microphone once her number is called.

Soon, she’ll know if her audience will grow by the thousands and she’ll sing the song at the annual Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile’s Land-Peebles Stadium, featuring a slew of college football’s finest players.

Walker is one of three finalists vying to sing the song as part of the “Senior Bowl Superstar” singing competition that saw over 60 people try out.

Along with Walker, University of Mobile student William Jones and an a cappella group from Satsuma High School made it to the final round, which will be determined by fans who can vote online at www.seniorbowl.com until 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.

The seventh annual competition was held at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama for the first time. The finalists performed live on the WKRG television station in Mobile to give voters a sample of what they could hear at the bowl game. Walker performed last Thursday.

Born in Mobile, Walker moved to Chilton County when her parents were transferred to work in the area. When her father was called back down to Mobile, she once again followed.

Elizabeth Walker, Jodi’s mother and also a singer, couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s accomplishment.

“Of course I am extremely proud of Jordan and am thankful for the opportunity for her to showcase the talent God has given her,” she said. “I’m usually not nervous when she sings the National Anthem because she performs it so well and has had the experience.”

When her mother saw it advertised in our local paper, she mentioned it to Jodi, and the 22-year-old singer decided to try out. Over 60 contestants later, she’s just waiting on the fans.

Walker doesn’t sing publicly other than at games. She appeared in “Blast from the Past” for several years and is currently working as a saleswoman for Ryla, a Verizon Wireless customer-care service.

If she could sing professionally, there’s no doubt in her mind she would. Music’s been a part of her family for years.

“Music is something I can’t get away from, and I’m not going to,” she said. “It’s something I’ve been born with. Somewhere along the road, it’s something I would want to do professionally.”