. >> during one of tammy's sales calls she met columbia businessman ben staples.became close friends. >> could tammy sell anything? >> she could sell anything. it is just our personality. everyone liked her. >> and tammy had something else that set her apart. talent. >> i can't remember the first time i heard her sing, but i was amazed. amazed at how great she was. >> tammy sang with a local band, jumpstart. woody woodward was lead guitarist in one of her biggest fans. >> voices like that are just gifts. somebody gives you that from above. >> friends thought she could take her talent big-time. but tammy seemed happy to remain in columbia. one of her gigs was at her friend ben staples annual barbecue. is this time tammy's stage? >> well yes, she enjoyed this. tammy was an entertainer. she didn't just stand up there and sing. >> along the way, in 1996, tammy met and married a local boy, brett parker. a medical supply salesman. he had been a star athlete in high school. his aunt sandra hunter says he was always throwing some kind of ball. >> playing football and soft