Signs that read "I play guitar because of you" dot the crowd of every Taylor Swift concert. Pretty heady stuff for someone who is still so very young herself. Swift, 21, brings her "Speak Now World Tour" to Buffalo when she takes to the stage at HSBC Arena on Tuesday, June 21, at 7p.m. Even in the face of all the fame, success and notoriety, Swift remains a down home girl with a guitar who just wants to sing her songs, her way.
But no mistake, Taylor Swift is a role model for girls all over the world. Debuting in 2006 with the song "Tim McGraw" Swift has strung together an incredible list of hits including "Our Song," "Tear Drops On My Guitar," "White Horse," "Fifteen," "Just Another Picture To Burn," "Love Story,"and "You Belong With Me."
Through it all Swift has maintained a clean image. No arrests. No drunken parties. No DWI. No links to drug use. Yet for some reason, be it jealousy or the refusal to believe that someone really could be this genuine and nice, people love to throw stones at Swift.
Well, guess what people, she really is that nice and if you have a young daughter you should thank your stars that someone like Taylor Swift is out there to inspire your girls to reach for their dreams.
Seen as somewhat of the poster child for today's mainstream country that blends country and pop, Swift has maintained amazing crossover appeal. But more importantly she has proven to have staying power.
When "Tear Drops On My Guitar" was all over the radio so many were ready to dismiss Swift as a shooting star that would flame out. But her current release "Speak Now" represents that she is not only here for the long haul, she's also growing and maturing in her music.
"Mine" and "Back to December" are examples of songs that are every bit from the heart as earlier pieces, but they also have a more mature sense and feel to them.
Her most recent offering "Mean" is yet another masterfully written song that speaks to the outcast in all of us. Telling you to hold true to yourself and you'll find success and happiness while the people who are poking fun at you now will never be nothing more then unfulfilled people living off of past glory.
Swift's on live band,one of the best in country, features Caitlin Evanson (fiddle), Amos, Heller (bass), guitarists Paul Sidoti and Grant Mickelson, drummer Al Wilson, Mike Meadows (banjo) and Elizabeth Huett (fiddle/vocals).