Country singer and "Dancing with the Stars" performer Julianne Hough [ tickets ] is so thrilled with her dual careers that sometimes she has to pinch herself.

"I've been very fortunate, branching out from the dancing to the music, which is, of course, where my heart is," Hough said during an interview with LiveDaily. "Brad Paisley added me to his tour [last summer]. The album did really well and I ended up doing a Christmas album and doing some Toby Keith dates. Sometimes I have to pinch myself, like, 'Oh my gosh. Is this really happening?'"

Hough's self-titled debut album was recorded in Nashville and produced by David Malloy, who has worked with Reba McEntire and Eddie Rabbitt, among others. Hough's album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart last May, and also peaked at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. Hough's second single, "That Song in My Head," debuted on the country charts in March 2008. She and her record company have not chosen the next single, but she said it's between "Hide Your Matches" or "Jimmy Ray McGee."

"Hopefully, that'll kick it to the next level," said Hough, who received an Academy of Country Music nomination for Top New Female Vocalist today (2/11).

The song "Dreaming Under the Same Moon" has a special place in the heart of the Nashville resident, as it is a song she recorded with her brother, fellow "Dancing with the Stars" performer Derek Hough.

"I worked with my brother and all my family since I was a little girl," she said. "The fact that we're on 'Dancing with the Stars' together and the fact that he can come over and sing on the CD with me is awesome. It seems natural. I want to always continue doing things with my brother and my sisters, as far as creatively."

Hough wants fans to know that she hasn't given up on "Dancing with the Stars," despite published reports. Hough said on Sunday (2/8) she'll be back on the show this season.

Hough recorded her album in between seasons of "Dancing with the Stars."

"It was pretty difficult," Hough said. "It was very rushed. It was a learning experience but it was perfect for what it needed to be at that time, just the songs and everything. ... I don't think it would have been any better or worse with the time that we had."

This summer, she will jump on a tour with the legendary George Strait, and will also perform at select festivals and fairs.

"This is giving me the experience of a lifetime," Hough said. "I'm so honored that George believes in me enough to ask me on his tour. I'm really, really excited. I definitely know that the fans from 'Dancing with the Stars' and just the exposure in general from that show has helped me. Of course, I can't thank them enough."

When fans see her perform live, they can expect a "high, high, high, high energy show," one that mirrors her personality.

"It's definitely a fun show," she said. "You don't ever feel like you're bored watching it. I'm constantly moving around the stage. My band is great. They're all over the stage, as well. It's definitely a performance. With some shows, it's purely about listening to the music, [and there are] some shows where it's pure entertainment. I feel like [our show is] both. We definitely focus on the music and do as best we can. And we hopefully give the performance that people want to see."

Editor's Note: This story was updated on 2/11 to reflect the fact that Hough now plans to appear on this season's "Dancing with the Stars," and to correct a factual error regarding her second single.