Two-time Grammy nominee Miranda Lambert is a big fan of state fairs.

"I've been performing at fairs since I started playing and singing," Lambert said in a recent telephone interview. "I'm always tempted by the fried foods at the fair."

The popular country music singer/songwriter will be sharing the stage with Blake Shelton on Oct. 3 when the two perform at the State Fair of Virginia. It will be the first venue for the country twosome's co-headlining tour. The concert will feature each artist's biggest hits as well as an intimate acoustic set with both artists on stage simultaneously.

"I've always thought that Blake is one of the greatest artists in country music and he brings such a dynamic presence to his performances," Lambert said. "Pairing up for these shows will not only be fun for us, but I think it's going to be an amazing show for the fans. Anytime you play with a great artist it makes you strive to be even better … and we will do that every night."

Lambert got the nation's attention when she was a finalist in the 2003 season of the "Nashville Star" television series. Since then, she has received the 2008 Academy of Country Music's Album of the Year Award for "Crazy Ex Girlfriend," the ACM's 2007 Top New Female Vocalist Award and the 2005 ACM Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award. Lambert was recently nominated for the 2008 County Music Association Female Vocalist award as well as Single of the Year for her first top 10 single, "Gunpowder & Lead."

Lambert's fondness for the music profession came naturally. Her father is a singer/songwriter.

"He taught me a few chords on the guitar and I wrote my first song in a week," she said. "I found out who I was as an artist through my songwriting."

Lambert's latest single "More Like Her" is a departure from the "kick-butt" songs that her audience expects.

"It's my first ballad," she said. "It shows my softer, more vulnerable side." Lambert finds referrals to her as a "feisty, fireball" on target.

"I grew up in a small town in Texas so it comes with the territory," she said, laughing. "I am very girly in some ways. I can get my heart broken. I think it's important to bring that element into my music."

To get back to her roots, Lambert recently bought a farm in Oklahoma, just a few miles from Shelton's getaway. All of her animals -- pot-bellied pigs, chickens and miniature horses -- are named after lyrics to a song or characters in a song.

"I grew up on a farm," she explained. "I've been around animals a lot. My farm is a great place to recharge my batteries."

Like other songwriters, Lambert thinks of her songs as her babies.

"They are who I am," she said, adding that winning the 2008 ACM Album of the Year award was surreal. "I didn't think I had a chance at all. That moment will stick in my mind forever."

Currently, Lambert is writing new material for an album she hopes to release in mid-to-late 2009.

"I love performing and being in the studio," she said. "Blake is making a record now so I'm getting the fever to go back into the studio. I'll do that after I finish this tour."

Lambert's August cover on "Garden & Gun" magazine was a fun diversion from performing.

"It's always great to be on the cover of any magazine," she said. "This one was perfect. I live on a farm and I was raised around guns."

In regard to her career, Lambert has matured as an entertainer. She doesn't try to compete with female counterparts like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift.

"I grew past the competition aspect," she acknowledged. "I have a little niche in what I do. I can't compare myself to them. I think we're all working together to make country music look amazing. There's room for everybody."

Miranda Lambert will appear with Blake Shelton at the State Fair of Virginia on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. as part of the Toyota Tacoma Concert Series. Concert tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster and the State Fair office. Concerts tickets are $25 each and include Walk-Around admission.