"Taylor Swift" has been added to your list of bookmarked artists
close
Taylor Swift
Biography
Taylor Swift became one of country-pop's brightest (and youngest) faces in 2006, when the 16-year-old vocalist released her first album. Although new to the American public, Swift had been performing since her pre-teen years in Wyomissing, PA, where she first entered the spotlight as part of a children's theater troupe. Encouraged by the troupe's manager to pursue music instead, Swift soon found herself performing karaoke songs at a local mall, with open mic performances following shortly thereafter. She sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a Philadelphia 76ers game at the age of 11; the following year, she began practicing the guitar several hours each day, modeling her early songwriting attempts after crossover artists like Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks. Swift's parents realized their child's dedication and began making regular visits to Nashville, TN, where Swift would perform casually and meet with songwriters in the area. The family then decided to move from their native Pennsylvania to an outlying Nashville suburb, which accelerated Swift's career.

While performing at the intimate Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Swift caught the eye of music industry veteran Scott Borchetta, who signed her to his newly formed label.
report abuse