Taylor Swift’s country roots are not all that apparent; as a child, she attended Bible classes and even had a pony named Ginger. Her maternal grandmother, a former opera singer, was also active on television in Puerto Rico. At the age of nine, Taylor Swift developed an interest in musical theatre and started traveling to New York for acting classes. In her teens, she became interested in country music, and her influences included Shania Twain and Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift’s songwriting skills are legendary. She has a song for just about everything, from love to boys. Her ability to write pop music is her main asset, and she manages her own career, co-produces her own albums, and plans her world tours. But how do you rate her songs? Do you agree or disagree? Take a listen to her “Best of” list and make your own mind up!
Born in 1989, Taylor Swift grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School. Her grandmother, a professional opera singer, introduced her to music when she was a child. At age 10, Swift began competing in karaoke contests. She took up guitar at age 12. At age 13, Swift was discovered by a producer at a cafe night and signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Her self-titled debut album became a hit, reaching the top six position in the Billboard charts. It also went triple platinum.
Taylor Swift’s music and charitable endeavors continue to garner attention from the public. In August, she wins a songwriter/artist award at the Country Music Awards. She also teamed up with UNICEF to create a tap project for children. She also donates $50,000 to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and debuts a song called “Ronan” at a Stand Up To Cancer benefit.
While Swift has been successful in the music industry, she is an actress and a voice actor. She also played a voice part in the Dr. Seuss film The Lorax. Swift’s fourth studio album, Red, was a commercial hit. Songs from Red focused on the vagaries of teenage love, while embracing a bold pop-rock sound. The album sold 1.2 million copies in its first week, and its lead single, “The One,” earned Swift her first number-one single on the Billboard pop singles chart.
