These days, Miranda Lambert is one of country music's leading superstars -- but back in 2004, she was a third-place finisher on the TV singing competition Nashville Star who was preparing to release her first major-label album (2005's Kerosene). In October of '04, Lambert shared her first single, "Me and Charlie Talking," a song that she co-wrote with her father Rick and songwriter Heather Little.

"Me and Charlie Talking" earned a Top 30 spot on the country charts (No. 27), and gave Lambert the chance to hear herself on the radio for the very first time. Below, the singer recalls where she was when it happened.

I was in Dallas, driving to the airport [in 2004], and I heard it; the song was "Me and Charlie Talking." I almost didn't think it was on the radio. I thought there was a CD in because I kind of forgot I had one out. But it was definitely an exciting moment. I think all of us in the car screamed!

This story was originally written by Pat Gallagher, and revised by Angela Stefano.

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