Jamie Lynn Spears is ''proud'' of her sister Britney Spears' achievements but is ready to show what a great artist she can be.

The 23-year-old star has released her debut EP, 'The Journey', this week and although she is happy to be associated with her older pop star sister she feels ready to ''prove'' herself as a country musician.

Speaking about Britney, 32, to Billboard, Jamie Lynn said: ''I'm proud of my sister. She's worked hard to become extremely successful. It makes me proud, but it also gives me an outlet to prove who I am as a person and what I love ... For the past few years, I've been writing, working with different people, demoing songs, and really trying to figure out what the exact sound I wanted to put out there. My fans have been so supportive, and have been so patient for me to get the music to them ... I just want to connect with them, and them to get a grasp of who I am as an artist.''

The budding singer insists her love of country songs is deep rooted in her childhood when she was growing up in Louisiana.

Jamie Lynn - who has a five-year-old daughter Maddie, from her relationship with CASEY ALDRIDGE - says she inherited her appreciation of the genre from her dad James.

The 'How Could I Want More' singer - who is married to Jamie Watson - said: ''My first musical memories would have to be with my daddy at the dirt bike track. He loved Merle Haggard and all the greats. I love Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty - especially the duets they had together. I am a big Patsy Cline fan, but I also love Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. What you grow up on will always have a special place in your heart.''