The road to musical stardom is looking a little smoother for BC Jean.

In fact, if the 21-year-old singer-songwriter were to choose a song title to describe the past few months, "Life in the Fast Lane" might easily come to mind.

Things are moving quickly for the North County native, writer of the song "If I Were a Boy," which became a chart-topping hit late last year for singer Beyonce.

Since then, requests to use the song have come in from TV shows such as "American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars." Jean signed a contract earlier this year with legendary record producer Clive Davis and Sony BMG Music and recently inked a million-dollar-plus publishing deal with the Universal Music Group.

Her travels have taken her to Davis' Grammy party last month where she listened to and mingled with stars such as Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Christina Aguilera. She has also hit the road to New York City and Nashville for recording sessions.

It's all part of living her dream, said Jean, who first heard opportunity knock at age 16 when she appeared with Liquid Blue at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"It's definitely a dream. I'm trying to take in every moment and appreciate each moment," she said.

Jean knew at a young age that she wanted to be a performer. Grandparents on her father's side were in the business, having worked with Perry Como and the Fred Waring Band, among others.

She attended schools in Ramona and Bonsall, and went to Torrey Pines High School until she got the Vegas gig. By then, she had convinced her parents that music was the life for her.

"All her life she was pounding our doors to do this," said her mom, Lori Carlson. "At 14, she told us, 'If you put me in college, all you're doing is burning your money up.' She only lives once. We're totally supporting her dream."

Mom followed daughter to Los Angeles, where Jean got an apartment at age 17. They would go back to their Carmel Valley home and dad, John Carlson, on weekends. Sometimes, dad made the trip north.

"She knew what she wanted. She wanted to be her own artist," said mom.

After the move, Jean spent much of her time in studios, doing demos, visiting showcases and meeting people in the music business. She also began training with vocal coach Seth Riggs, who has worked with Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson.

She wrote "If I Were a Boy" about a year ago. The song caught Beyonce's attention and became a big hit for her.

"After Beyonce's version came out there was a bidding war for her," said Carlson. "She auditioned for a lot of labels. Clive came in at the end. We were so close to a different deal. … But he's Clive Davis. How do you say no?"

Jean finds it surreal to be in the Davis stable of artists, which has included Houston, Alicia Keys and Carlos Santana.

"It's such a compliment for him to take me on like this," she said. "Janis Joplin was the first act he signed. He's worked with so many legends. For him to see something in me is a huge compliment."

Some have said Jean has a vocal quality that resembles Joplin's. The artist herself said she is influenced musically by Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morrisette and Britney Spears, with whom she shares a first name, although she won't admit it.

BC stands for Beautiful Child, which her father used to call her when she participated in athletics as a child. Jean is her middle name.

"I always wanted to do something different," she said in explaining her musical moniker.

For now, Jean is spending most of her time in recording studios, trying to put together enough original material for her first album. While little is certain, it's pretty likely that "If I Were a Boy" will be one of the cuts.

The busy schedule isn't always fun.

"I complain a lot … but at the end of the day it's all so cool that you can make your career and live off what I love to do," she said. "The hardest part is still to come; to get people to like your music, to follow you and buy tickets to your concerts."

That can't come soon enough for Jean.

"I'm ready now. You gotta be ready. I've been ready," she said.

If you have a suggestion for someone who would make a good Neighbors story, contact staff writer Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.