INDIANAPOLIS -- A singing duo with a Hoosier connection will be reveling in country music's biggest night Wednesday as they walk the red carpet at the Country Music Awards.

Joey Martin, an Alexandria native, makes up one half of Joey+Rory, nominated in the category of Vocal Duo of the Year, for their original song, "Cheater, Cheater."

Martin and husband Rory Feek, who met while fledgling artists in Nashville, Tenn., first gained exposure on the CMT reality show "Can You Duet" in 2008, where they quickly became fan favorites.

They didn't win the competition, but a series of Overstock.com commercials based on the couple's life helped to boost their profile, and their songs have since gained airplay on many country stations.

Still, they said they were shocked to learn they'd been nominated for a CMA.

"We were at the farmhouse doing an interview, and the next second Rory has this text message come in on his cell phone and the text said 'Congratulations on your CMA nomination," Martin told 6News. "We didn't have any idea where it came from, so he left and started running around outside to find cell service on the farm house … and that’s how we found out we were nominated."

Fellow country duos Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland are also nominated in the same category.

The couple said they are looking forward to driving up to the CMAs in Feek's vintage 1952 Oldsmobile, and enjoying the show from seats fit for nominees.

"Were not presenting or performing this year, so it has been pretty easy getting ready for it," Martin said. "We will sit in the audience and enjoy the show from our seats. We have really good seats!"

Martin, a graduate of Alexandria High School, said all of her family still lives in Indiana, and that the couple occasionally visits.

She said being nominated for a CMA is something she could only dream of growing up in the Hoosier state.

"When you have a love and a passion for country music and for your dreams, and you see those reward shows, you just kind of envision your chance being up there," she said, "but you never really think of it as a reality."

The CMAs air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

More Information:

Joey+Rory

Country Music Awards