The Georgia Lottery has paid off in an unusual way for one local musician.

Hannah Thomas of Covington has earned a chance to record at the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood after she was named the best country act in the Georgia Lottery’s All Access Music Search. She bested two other finalists in the category, Julie Gribble of Atlanta and Jessi Scott of LaGrange, according to information from the lottery.

The Top 12 acts were featured in a TV special that aired on Jan. 14 and performed at an Atlanta Falcons halftime show on Nov. 28. The winners were selected through online voting and by celebrity judges, including  Dallas Austin, Monica, Shawn Mullins and Clay Cook of the Zac Brown Band.

Thomas in the fall released a CD, "Acoustic Sessions," which featured her vocals and guitar playing. Her original tunes include a sing-along of "Watch out for the Deer" and "Backyard of Georgia"; a ballad, "Tuesday Tears"; and "sophisticated country" on "Love" and "Henry."

She performs Feb. 3 at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. Learn more at her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/hannahthomasband