Biography
Name: Taylor Alison Swift
Birthday: December 13, 1989
Hometown: Wymossing, PA
Parents: Scott and Andrea
Sibling: Austin
Taylor Alison Swift was born in Wyomissing, PA. When she was ten, Taylor began to perform around her home town, Wyomissing, singing at karaoke contests, festivals, and fairs, and also started writing songs. Her grandmother was a professional opera singer, but instead of doing opera Taylor endorsed country music. Her influences are LeAnn Rimes, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, as well as Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain.
When she was 11, Taylor Swift made her first trip to Nashville in hopes of obtaining a record deal by handing out a demo tape she had made of her singing along to karaoke songs. At the same year, she performed the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers NBA game in front of thousands of fans.
At twelve, Taylor picked up a guitar and learned to write her own songs. Her family took regular trips to Nashville to shop her music around, and she wrote 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 Cafe caught the attention of music-industry veteran Scott Borchetta. Soon, she was signed to Borchetta’s label, Big Machine Records, in 2006. In the same year, October 24, 2006 she released her debut album, Taylor Swift which include her first single, Tim McGraw. The album peaked at #1 on US Country Chart and #5 on Billboard Chart. Up to this day, this album has been certified 3x platinum. Five hit singles (Tim McGraw, Teardrops on My Guitar, Our Song, Picture to Burn, and Should’ve Said No) were released from Taylor’s first album.
With her second (studio) album, Fearless, Taylor proves that she ain’t a one-hit wonder. Staying true to her music as well as teenage root, Taylor wrote songs that other teens can relate to. Her nice attitude as well as her willingness to be the “idol” kids can look up to makes her not only a good musician, but a wonderful artist and idol.
Fearless hits #1 on Billboard Chart and up until now (August 2009) still staying on the Billboard top 10.