Up & Coming New Nashville- Jay Taylor (With Exclusive Interview)

Jay Taylor is a country singer-songwriter with authentic country roots.

Now based in Nashville, Jay was raised in the Central Florida town of Duette on a 2,000-acre cattle ranch that has been in his family since the 1930s. Jay first sang in public at age 3 for the congregation of the historic Dry Prairie Baptist Church, accompanied by his mother, the church pianist. Music and performing have been part of his life ever since. “My whole family sang and my mother played piano,” he says, “so I just thought everyone knew how to sing.”

As a teenager, he took up the guitar, began writing his own songs, and dared to dream of a music career. His first professional break came right after high school graduation in 2004, when he won the Florida Super Singer contest in Orlando, topping 856 entrants. That exposure led to offers from Florida’s Sea World and Busch Gardens theme parks, where he spent three years performing livedaily, building a fan base, and regularly entertaining international audiences exceeding 5,000. He also opened for country headliners such as Diamond Rio, Lorrie Morgan, Montgomery Gentry, Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Buddy Jewel, Trick Pony, Billy Dean, and Craig Morgan.

As comfortable onstage as he is in on the ranch, Jay performs with a presence and sound that belie his 22 years. His rich, understated baritone vocals have been compared to those of the legendary George Strait, one of Jay’s influences along with Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, and his own musical family.

Today Jay hangs his genuine cowboy hat in Nashville, where he has recorded his first studio CD, “Plain and Simple,” and has formed his own band. The new album features six of his original songs as well as six numbers by hit country songwriter Kirsti Manna in collaboration with David Kent, Danny Myrick, Dell Gray, and Ashe Underwood. “Jay is a true talent,” says Kirsti. “He has one of those classic country voices with great emotional delivery on anything he sings.”

Fittingly, one of Jay’s original songs is the upbeat “Country Inside of Me,” an anthem to his rural heritage. The lyrics make it clear that no matter what lies ahead, he will always be a country boy at heart. And his debut CD makes it clear that Jay Taylor is a country star on the rise.

It’s as plain and simple as that. We had an opportunity to talk with this busy singer/songwriter and find out more about his plans to tackle Music City...

That Nashville Sound- What brought you to Nashville?

Jay Taylor- Above all things it was definitely music. I was working with Bill Warner, my producer, and the first time I met him I asked him if I had to move to Nashville to "make it" and he said something I will never forget. He said," You have to be present to win". I hated leaving my family, my friends, and everything I knew to start over and go from being a big fish in a small pond to being a minnow in the ocean that is Nashville....but I knew if my dream was big enough....I could grow. That is the greatest feeling....looking back and realizing what you were and where you have come. It makes you wonder how far you can really go!

TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?

JT- I would say my music is a blend of traditional country, southern rock, maybe a dash of Motown, and just enough soul to make you believe it. My main mission in writing and singing is to convey and bring out different emotions on an album, as well as my show....not just write/sing a bunch of " party songs", but I don't want 15 " tearjerkers" either. When putting on a show I want the audience to go on a trip with me through different emotions and feelings...and maybe take them back to a time in there life where they felt that emotion the strongest. Bobby Bare said it so well when he said that nostalgia may be the strongest emotion, I agree. I want the audience/listener to remember a time when they had no responsibilities to worry about. I also want them to relive a hard time in there life that they made it through, and made them stronger. I want every song in a show or on my album to bring about a different emotion and make each person feel like I was writing/singing it just for them; and essentially I am!

TNS- What might people be suprised to find out about you?

JT- All my friends make fun of me about the fact that I LOVE WWE Wrestling. I am a huge fan and have been since I was 6 years old. I guess I just never grew out of it. My favorite wrestler is Shawn Michaels. I'm not sure why really. It might be because when I was young he was just getting started, so I saw him progress from a beginner to a superstar and one of the greatest entertainers ever.......I know its a grown mans soap opera......BUT I'M HOOKED

TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?

JT- I like a very eclectic style of music....my favorite is definitely early-mid 90's country. But I love all types of music.....If you were going through my ipod and put it on "RANDOM" you would probably listen to George Strait singing "Amarillo By Morning", then Journey singing, "Don't Stop Believing" into The Temptations singing" My Girl" and follow that with The Eagles "Desperado". I find myself getting into different music at different times....I was hooked on oldies( 50's and 60's rock and pop) for years and years, still am20really. The more I really submerse myself into the songwriting world I find myself listening to great lyricists like The Eagles, Hank Williams Sr., and Waylon Jennings. I'm really in an "outlaw country" mood the last few weeks...Im really getting into Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, and other "outlaws" of that era.

TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward ten years, what do you see for yourself?

JT- I would honestly see myself with a record deal of some kind, singing songs I have written on a stage in front of thousands of people, and the audience is singing my songs right back at me! It's been my dream for years...and I don't think there is any reason why it should change. Its extremely hard to make it that far.....but anything worth having is worth working hard for. Maybe I'm optimistic to the point of blindness.....but I love the music way too much to stop now. Also, Porter Wagoner sang a song called "A Satisfied Mind" I truly believe every word it says....the main hook of the song is,"The wealthiest person is a pauper at times compared to the man with a satisfied mind'. As long as I am happy and satisfied with my life, as cliche as it sounds, THAT is success to me.