While most everyone experiences the ups and downs of teenaged angst, Taylor Swift capitalizes on them by writing and singing hit songs.
Swift grew up on a farm in Wyomissing, Penn. Inspired by her grandmother, a professional opera singer, Swift began singing early in life. At 10, she began performing around town at karaoke contests, festivals and county fairs, and even recording rough demos at a studio. At age 11, she performed the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers NBA game in front of thousands of fans.
She picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and learned to write her own songs. Her family took regular trips to Nashville to shop her music around. While there, she had the opportunity to write with local songwriters. After a few years, during which the family made the decision to move to nearby Hendersonville, Tenn., a showcase at the Bluebird Café caught the attention of music-industry veteran Scott Borchetta.
Swift released her debut self-titled album on Borchetta's label, Big Machine Records, in 2006. "Tim McGraw," "Teardrops On My Guitar," "Our Song," "Picture to Burn," and "Should've Said No" all reached the Top 10 on country radio charts. Swift is also the first country artist to have five singles from her debut album reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. This success led to her album being certified triple platinum, and high expectations for her follow-up studio album Fearless released in 2008.
Swift not only met but exceeded everyone's expectations, even her own. Fearless, released in November 2008, delivered the title cut, "Love Story," "Fifteen," "White Horse" and "You Belong with Me," propelling Swift's career to a level unforeseen by many. Her headlining tour sold out, and she became the youngest person to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award in 2009. In fact, she was the show's big winner with Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Video of the Year Awards, too. At the 2009 American Music Awards, she picked up Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Country Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist of the Year, and Favorite Adult Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. She also hosted Saturday Night Live and received eight Grammy® nominations. Taylor has won various coveted honors including Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Songwriters Hall of Fame, American Country Awards, BMI Awards, Teen Choice Awards, CMT Music Awards, and MTV Awards are just a few of the elite honors. Taylor released her third studio album, Speak Now and a live CD+DVD Speak Now World Tour in 2011.
Latest CD
Speak Now - World Tour Live CD+DVD