Taylor Swift

It is no longer the time to associate country music with people in their mid 40s, as more young artists have decided to take this route in music. One living proof: Taylor Swift. The accomplished country singer and songwriter who began her career when she was still a teenager has spawned acclaimed albums and several singles that earned her awards which are commonly won by people twice or triple her age. In 2007 alone she was nominated for four different awards, two of which she successfully nabbed. She took Breakthrough Video of the Year at Country Music Television Awards for her debut single "Tim McGraw" and Horizon Award, a special honor that was presented at 41st Country Music Association Awards, for being a promising act.

Hailing from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Taylor Alison Swift was musically influenced by her grandmother who was a professional opera singer. While living with her parents, the December 13, 1989-born beauty became addicted to singing on contests and talent shows. At 10, she entered local karaoke contests and recorded some demo tapes which ended in almost every receptionist desk of Nashville's record labels. Two years later, she started to religiously learn playing guitar. For four hours a day, she would continuously try to master the art of guitar playing until her fingers literally bled. From there, original songs came pouring out along with the growing love of country tunes. She often wrote her lyrics during lessons at school while her reputation as a straight A student remained unaltered. Her family eventually moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee where opportunity came in the form of a record producer named Scott Borchetta.