SANDPOINT - When Kristy Osmunson moved to Nashville, Tenn., almost 10 years ago, she could never have anticipated where the trip would take her.

Even now, the Sandpoint native still doesn't quite believe that she and collaborator Kelley Shepard's band Bomshel is nominated for a Country Music Association Award, one of the industry's most prestigious honors.

"I thought that they were lying when they first called and told me," she said. "I had to drive by and see our names listed before I could believe it."

The two are nominated for 2011 best vocal duo. Although the Country Music Association hasn't yet released the full list of nominees, Osmunson said they'd likely be stacked up against acts like The Civil Wars, Sugarland and Steel Magnolia.

The competition might be tough, but Osmunson isn't too concerned. After all, with only one studio album under its belt, Bomshel is a band still early in its life span. Osmunson said that simply being counted among musicians that they admire and respect is an amazing experience in itself.

"You hear people say 'Oh, it's just an honor to be nominated,' and you think 'Whatever, you're lame. You want to win!'" she said. "But it's really true. It's unreal."

Sandpoint runs deep in Bomshel's background and even factors into its success. Osmunson graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1999. After a stint at the University of Idaho and her move to Nashville, Osmunson joined her vocal and violin talents with Buffy Lawson's singing and guitar skills to form Bomshel's first iteration. Shepard later replaced Lawson, and the two returned to Idaho in 2008 for the Festival at Sandpoint. Their performance of the song "Fight Like a Girl," a tribute to Osmunson's friend Jenny Meyer and her battle with cancer, won so much acclaim that their manager decided to establish it as the band's lead single. Sure enough, it served as the title track on their 2009 album.

In fact, her hometown is rarely far from Osmunson's thoughts. For one thing, her grandmother, Rosemary Osmunson, and her mother, Kathy Holm, a teacher at SHS, still live in Sandpoint. Both keep careful tabs on Osmunson's career and attend her shows whenever possible.

"One time, she even took me on stage," Rosemary Osmunson said. "That was memorable."

What's more, Sandpoint serves as something of a goal for the country musician. She said one of her career goals is to save money for an eventual move back to the town. The transition should provide some respite from Nashville's constant activity. After all, Osmunson has not acclimated easily with her growing fame.

"I still can't really believe that we actually have fans," she said. "I'll never get used to signing autographs.

Before that time comes, however, Osmunson has plenty of music left to write and perform. As for the CMA nomination, she said it's better not to make predictions about the results of the November award show.

"I've learned that in this industry, if you have any expectations," she said. "The reality usually ends up being the opposite of what you anticipate."