There’s a good chance Angela Wood is a familiar face to most of you.

The Los Angeles singer-songwriter who grew up in Garland has appeared in commercials for Burger King, Scope and a handful of other national companies. But that’s not her goal. Wood wants her music to be recognized. Judging by her new songs — a pleasing mix of country and folk that fans of Taylor Swift and Dixie Chicks would appreciate — she’s well on her way.

The former South Garland High School Showboater recently took time from preparing for her Nov. 25 show at Poor David’s Pub to answer questions about her career, influences and her hometown.

A song like “Don’t Touch My Man” is a strong anthem for the ladies. How have your audiences responded to it?
It's funny, everyone loves that song. It's one of my favorites to sing. Women and men both tell me it's on of their favorites, and I've been asked often why it's not on the radio. Trust me, if it was up to me, everyone would've heard it by now, and often!

Shooter Jennings, Katy Perry and Blake Shelton are good friends of yours. What kind of advice have they offered you?
Gosh, they're all so different. More than advice, I've learned by paying attention to how they got to where they are now. Success in this career is such a combination of factors, a lot of which you can't control. Also, Katy would never let me sing backup for her because she wanted me to stay focused on my own career. Ha ha!

You’ve also done a lot of national commercials, including one with Ryan Seacrest. What are the best and worst aspects of commercial work?
I've been very fortunate to get work that way. It's really a lot of fun. [Doing commercials] allows me the free time to really focus on my music. It's always fun to meet new and interesting people on set. It’s weird to be in random places and see your big mug flash up on a screen, but cool to get calls from friends and family that just saw it … or Facebook messages from people you haven't heard from in forever who recognized you.

The worst part is it makes you very body conscious. I go up against girls 6 inches taller than me and skinnier than a chopstick, and I think, "Why am I here?" Listen, I'm from TEXAS. I will never be able to exist on a diet of tofu and soybeans. It's just not in the cards.

How did growing up a minister’s daughter in Garland impact your singing and songwriting?
Well, being a daughter of a Southern Baptist minister was interesting. I was always under watchful eyes, not just of my parents, but a whole congregation. So, now in my songwriting, I have to be careful not to censor myself, and just let it flow, but don't think it doesn't cross my mind, "What is my Dad gonna think about this, and is he gonna catch flack over it?"

Any favorite memories of South Garland or Garland in general?
My favorite memories of South Garland were being in choir with all of my best friends and all the crazy parties that were put together for us where we'd be in cars looking for clues all over the city trying to get back first.

My favorite memory of Garland was going out on the boat and putting out a trot line, and coming back later for it, and my dad telling us how GARland got it's name (it was full of gar).

Your success didn’t happen overnight. You’ve been at it since you were a child. Do you have tips for aspiring singer-songwriters and actors?
If you wanna sing/act and you think you really have what it takes and you'd be happy doing nothing else, then don't let anyone tell you can't do it. Be smart about it, and be persistent. Don't sell yourself short.

Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences in music, are actually not country singers at all. I'm obsessed with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Patty Griffin is also a fave.

My dad has probably been my biggest influence in life because, although he didn't have millions to support my music habit (as I like to call it), he always believed in me and did whatever he could to help. He's a musician, too, so he understood and actually helped cultivate the love I have for music.

What inspires you to sing and write songs?
Relationships. The good, the bad and the ugly. I sometimes say, “I’m not gonna write a relationship song today" and it's nearly impossible to do.

After your Dallas show and appearance on Good Morning Texas, what’s next on your schedule?
Nashville. I go there once a month now, and we're finishing up recording a few new songs. Getting ready for the big push.

What are your professional goals?
My professional goals are purely music related. I want to get as far as I can go in this industry. I wanna always love what I'm doing, and the minute I stop loving it, I'll move on.

Anything else people should know about you?
I have a beautiful single sister in Dallas. :)