Sydney Rhame wrote her first song at 5 years old.

Six years later the Renfroe Middle School sixth grader is performing her original songs around Decatur and has even won accolades from veterans of the Nashville music scene.

“I guess I just knew I wanted to be a singer,” Sydney said in a telephone interview last week. “I saw other people do it on television and that just inspired me.”

Sydney, 11, was first noticed in first grade, said her mother, Julie Rhame. After a school performance she was booked to sing her songs at an Oakhurst Neighborhood Association event.

She has grown to local fame, performing her acoustic pop songs at venues such as the Solarium, Java Monkey and Eddie’s Attic.

She also plays festivals like the Decatur Earth Day Festival and the Decatur Book Festival.

In June, Sydney made an impression in Nashville. At the request of a friend of her father, Rhett Rhame, Sydney made the trip to Tennessee to perform at the American Diabetes Association’s Father of the Year Award ceremony.

Her performance caught the attention of former Nashville vice mayor Howard Gentry Jr., who booked Sydney for three performances at the Nashville Songwriters Festival.

At the festival she got the attention of veteran musician and producer Dennis Eggers.

“He was very nice, very generous,” said Julie. “He told us that whenever we’re ready to give him a call.”

Ms. Rhame, who works as a communications director for the DeKalb County School System, said she encourages her daughter to pursue a career in music and help manage her appearances.

“She is very self motivated,” Ms. Rhame said. “She’s gotten so much attention doing what she loves, which is great.”

Sydney only has a demo album with five songs on it, but the 11-year-old said she hopes to get in the studio to produce a whole album soon.

As for the future, Sydney hopes to make a living as a performer.

“I hope I can get a record deal,” she said. “I want to do this for as long as I live.”