In 2006, Taylor Swift burst onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album. But what many may not know is that she had a surprising connection to the late country music star, Toby Keith.
At the time, Swift signed with Big Machine Records, a label that had a close partnership with Keith's own label, Show Dog-Universal Music. Prior to this, a 15-year-old Swift had moved to Nashville in hopes of kickstarting her music career and had auditioned for a contract with the newly formed label. In a resurfaced 2005 video, Swift shared her experience of meeting Keith and performing her songs for him.
Describing the encounter, Swift expressed, 'You're in the room with him and you can feel it, there's a power there. And you're just like 'Oh my God.'' She admitted that she never thought she would reach a point where she wouldn't be starstruck by Keith. As luck would have it, Keith liked the songs she performed for him, leading to her eventual signing with the label.
During those early years, Big Machine Records and Keith's Dog-Universal Music worked closely together, even being referred to as 'partners' in their music venture. Label executive Scott Borchetta played a significant role in signing Swift as well after witnessing her talent at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville in 2004.
However, the partnership between Keith and Big Machine Records dissolved in 2006. Interestingly, Keith still held minority positions in the label, according to Rolling Stone.
Swift released five more albums under Big Machine Records, including hits like Fearless, Speak Now, and Red. In 2018, she completed her six-album deal with the label. A year later, the label was purchased by Scooter Braun's company, Ithaca Holdings, along with the rights to Swift's songs. This triggered a public feud between Swift and Braun, subsequently leading to the singer's decision to re-record her albums from the label.
Tragically, Keith passed away at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer. His family announced the news in a social media post, expressing that he fought his fight with grace and courage. While Swift has not yet released a statement on his death, many of Keith's friends and colleagues, including Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood, paid tribute to the legendary country star.
Shelton described Keith as 'the toughest man I ever met' and thanked him for being a friend, hero, and inspiration. Underwood expressed her sorrow and confidence that Keith was now in the presence of the King. It is evident that Keith's impact on the country music community will be deeply missed.
As we reflect on Taylor Swift's early years in the music industry, it is fascinating to discover her unexpected connection to Toby Keith. This story showcases the interwoven nature of the industry and reminds us of the significant impact artists can have on one another's careers.
