Christina Taylor grew up on an eclectic range of artists that included Shania Twain, Destiny’s Child and even Marilyn Manson, but it was artists like Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert that inspired this singer/songwriter to put her thoughts down in words and notes. Since taking the first step to pursue her dreams in Music City, Taylor has already grabbed the attention of both CMT’s Artist Discovery & Radio Disney Country, released her EP That Girl AND held a residence at The Sutler. Impressive is quite the understatement.
We recently caught up with the “Don’t Look Good In Your T-Shirt Anymore” singer – check out our Q&A below:
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you – could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CT: Hey y’all! My name is Christina Taylor, I am a 21 year old Country singer from North Carolina who recently just made the big move to Nashville, TN.
CN: When did you realize you wanted to be involved in music? Which artists – country or not – have you looked up to? Are there any current country artists that you are inspired by?
CT: I have been singing for as long as I can remember but really decided to take it seriously when I was about 16 years old. P!nk and Eric Church are my all time favorite artists, I strive to be as raw and real as they are every day. I also love Maren Morris, she has so much soul and is so talented!
CN: Prior moving to Nashville you lived in Florida and North Carolina. Did your experience in those locations influence you as an artist, if at all? When did you decide to make the move to Music City?
CT: I lived in Florida till I was about 8 years old and people always had Reggae and R&B music on there so I think that’s where the soul side of my music comes in. When I moved to North Carolina, country music was very prominent and I started listening to it and loving it. I officially moved to Nashville about 6 months ago, but I had been driving back and forth between there and NC for two years prior. Since I started coming to Nashville and working with different writers, I’ve really understood how to mesh those two influences together to create some great Country Soul music.
CN: You had the amazing opportunity of holding a residency at “The Sutler” in Nashville. What did you take away from that experience?
CT: Holding a residency at the Sutler was so amazing for my stage presence! I really learned who I was on stage and how to entertain an audience and not be nervous. I learned how to use my nervous energy to fuel my performance, instead of letting it hold me back.
CN: How does it make you feel to have two large platforms in the industry – CMT Artist Discovery & Radio Disney Country – support you at this point in your career?
CT: I can’t say enough how amazing it is to have CMT and Radio Disney Country’s support!! As an independent artist it can sometimes be hard to find a platform willing to back you and believe in you, and thankfully I have two. They have helped me broadcast my music to so many different audiences and I am so thankful for that!
CN: You recently released your EP That Girl. Can you talk about the songwriting and selection process that went into producing the EP?
CT: That Girl is a collection of songs based on true events. I was going through my first break up when I started coming to town, and I had so much to say and write about. This EP was basically documentation of all of my therapy sessions. Writing these songs helped me get over that break up and hard point in my life, and I hope that listening to this EP helps somebody get through something going on in their life.
CN: Even though your career is just starting to break out, have you had a “WOW” moment that you can’t believe has happened? And in looking forward, is there a moment or possibly an award, that you are setting your sights on achieving?
CT: It was a “WOW” moment when I heard I would be supported by CMT and Radio Disney Country, and so was when I got to play the Carolina Country Music Festival and open up for artists like Maren Morris, Rascal Flatts, and Keith Urban just to name a few. Every day I have “WOW” moments so I don’t think I could pick one.
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
CT: If I could collaborate with anyone, it would be P!nk. I remember being 15 years old listening to her music and thinking she was the coolest girl and the world.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
CT: If I could use one word to describe myself it would be “Loyal”. I am not only loyal to my family and friends, I would do anything and everything for them, but I am also loyal to my dreams and aspirations in life. I have dreams and goals that I will stick to and work for, always.
CN: Lastly, what’s next on the horizon for you?
CT: I am currently about to head into the studio and record some more music and will hopefully be getting on the road more to play y’all my new stuff. Stay tuned!!
For more information on Christina Taylor, visit her website at: www.christinataylormusic.com