Any idea what it would be like to be 19 years old, a self-made millionaire, and one of the top-selling musicians in the world? Taylor Swift knows.
THIS JUST IN: TAYLOR SWIFT NAMED ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR AT THE CMA'S!!
Born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1989, Taylor Swift has achieved more in her short life than most people dare to dream of in a lifetime. At the tender age of 11, a computer repair man taught Taylor a few chords on the guitar. She immediately began writing songs and made her first trip to Nashville to pursue a record contract before her twelfth birthday. She was unsuccessful, but kept working at her music and at 14 her parents moved from Pennsylvania to the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee to be near the heart of country music – Taylor’s greatest passion. That year, Swift was the youngest staff songwriter ever hired by the Sony/ATV Tree publishing house.
RCA Records offered Taylor a contract when she was only 15, but she rejected it. She didn’t want a development deal, she was ready to for a full-on contract. Soon after, she caught the attention of Scott Borchetta who signed her to his newly-formed record label, Big Machine Records. Her first single, “Tim McGraw” was released in 2006 and reached number six on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart propelling Taylor Swift into the stratosphere of country pop fame.
Selling records isn't the only thing Taylor Swift has accomplished in the millions. Her music surpassed the 200 million mark for music streams on MySpace. She is currently ranked in the Top 10 for the most MySpace visits for all genres of music, and is the current top-ranking country artist.
Not only is this young talent committed to her music, but she is a recognized philanthropist. In 2007, she launched a campaign to protect children from online predators. In addition, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Red Cross are among the many charities benefiting from Swift's generosity.
Before becoming a country pop icon, Taylor Swift belonged to an SNL-inspired children’s comedy skit group. It was through this group that her talent for singing country music was discovered. Going back to her comedic roots, Taylor appeared on SNL as both the host and musical guest on November 7, 2009. The show has been touted as the best of the season for both music and comedy skits, many starring Swift.
Two incidents recently put Taylor in an uncomfortable spotlight. Her boyfriend, Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, broke up with her in a short phone call, and Kanye West interrupted her acceptance of the Best Female Video award at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards declaring Beyonce’s video in the same category as one of the "best videos of all time," thereby making an idiot of himself, embarrassing Beyonce, and making Swift somewhat of a national hero all in one fell swoop.
To illustrate Taylor's extraordinary popularity, when tickets went on sale in February for her show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in May, they sold out in two minutes.And when tickets for several dates and venues, including a show at Madison Square Garden, went on sale the following week, they sold out in one minute.
Artists like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood do much to expand the traditional country music audience into an audience that crosses over into pop and even rock. In addition to transforming the typical country music audience, Taylor Swift is a positive role model for young girls. Her poise and character portray how it is possible to pursue your dreams while remaining humble, charitable, and confident.
Here is Taylor singing her hit song, “Fifteen.” It's about being a freshman in high school and thinking you know what matters, but really not having a clue. And here is her song, “Love Story” a Romeo and Juliet-inspired song.
If you're not already a fan of this beautiful, young singer/songwriter, discover what the buzz is about. Listen to Taylor Swift and fall in love.
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