Though Suffolk is growing on pace to one day be considered “big city,” there’s one country warbler in Suffolk who hopes to keep it a country town.

Tiffany Jones Roman, who was raised in Suffolk and now is bringing up her 4- and 9-year-old boys here, recently was named the winner of the Hampton Roads Colgate Country Showdown, hosted by WGH-FM 97.3 The Eagle.

Roman, 28, now will compete at the state level. The winner of the state level will move on to the national competition in a country talent search contest sponsored by Colgate toothpaste.

Roman has been singing country music for as long as she can remember.

“I’ve been singing for a long time,” Roman said. “It’s a part of my life.”

Roman began competing in beauty pageants during her younger years, being awarded Miss Teen Suffolk 1998, Miss Metropolitan 1998, and Miss Christmas U.S.A. 2000.

In her late teens, Roman switched her focus to music, emulating such country music stars as Reba McEntire, Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette.

“I stick more to the traditional end of country,” Roman said. “I enjoy doing all kinds [of country music], but that’s kind of where my roots are.”

Roman said she enjoys putting her own twist on the styles of well-known country artists. As a contestant in the Colgate Country Showdown, she will follow in the footsteps of country artists like Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus and Garth Brooks, who all took part in the competition on their way to fame.

The next step for Roman is the Virginia state competition, but she doesn’t know yet exactly when or where that will be. For right now, she is concentrating on relaxing.

“I like to go and have fun,” Roman said. “I don’t look at it as a competition. I take it seriously, don’t get me wrong, but I really like to have fun. I feel like everyone out there [in the audience] is my best friend.”

This is the second time entering the competition for Roman. She entered a couple of years ago when she was asked to fill out the roster in an emergency for an out-of-town contest. Even with hardly any preparation, she came in second.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Roman said. “It’s a real good event.”

Though Roman said she would like to perform country music for a living, she’s leaving that up to God.

“God has his plan for me,” roman said. “Whatever He chooses, I’ll be fine with.

“I’ve always chased this dream for as long as I can remember. If He takes me to bigger things, I will gladly do it.”

For more information on the Colgate Country Showdown, visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.