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I’m a man in his 40’s who, without a hint of shame, just listened to Taylor Swift’s newest song as it dropped at Midnight. As it so happens, I was one of the first humans to hear one of her first big hits nearly 20 years ago, right before her Mom asked me for a ride.
A thread.
A thread.
It was sometime around 2004, I think. I was a weekend anchor at a station in Albany, NY, and a regular segment was showcasing musical acts as they passed through town. One Saturday, a spindly teen named Taylor walked into the studio with her mom, manager and a guitarist.
None of us knew who she was. Virtually no one outside the studio did either. She wasn’t yet “Taylor Swift.” She was a kid.
For the next 30 minutes, she diligently set up her own equipment, while I talked, off-air, to her mom - who couldn’t have been more genuine - or more proud
For the next 30 minutes, she diligently set up her own equipment, while I talked, off-air, to her mom - who couldn’t have been more genuine - or more proud
When she was ready, we started to tape the segment - an interview, followed by a song, followed by an interview again.
I assumed I was interviewing a kid whose name I might not remember.
But she was - special.
The song she played was so natural - so evidently from within her.
I assumed I was interviewing a kid whose name I might not remember.
But she was - special.
The song she played was so natural - so evidently from within her.
I asked her about the what went in to writing a song like that. She told me she’d written it the night before, in her hotel room.
It was Teardrops on my Guitar.
It was Teardrops on my Guitar.
Unaware of what a hit that would become, or what a mega star she would turn out to be, we carried on. When the segment wrapped, her mom and I picked up where we left off, as Taylor packed up her own gear.
Before long, her Mom realized something....
Before long, her Mom realized something....
Their manager has already gone ahead to a local radio station, leaving Taylor, her mom and the guitarist (who seemed like a teenager crush of Taylor’s) behind - without a car.
So, naturally, Mom asked if we could call a cab. Nonsense, we said.
We were on a break. We’d drive them.
So, naturally, Mom asked if we could call a cab. Nonsense, we said.
We were on a break. We’d drive them.
So. That’s how Taylor Swift ended up in the back of our car.
With her gear, her mom, and her guitarist.
While my photographer drove the soon-to-be-most-famous singer/songwriter in America.
With her gear, her mom, and her guitarist.
While my photographer drove the soon-to-be-most-famous singer/songwriter in America.
Her music now seems a return to those roots that knocked all of us in the studio that day to the back of our heels.
She’s a unique talent.
I’m glad to have been one her first unofficial focus groups - and first unofficial Uber.
She’s a unique talent.
I’m glad to have been one her first unofficial focus groups - and first unofficial Uber.
Some day, if I get to interview her again, I’ll tell her this same story.
I’m sure she won’t remember it.
But, I always will.
And, I’ll always root for her - that genuine & talented teen who grabbed the world by the heart.
Glad to have been along for 5 miles of that journey.
I’m sure she won’t remember it.
But, I always will.
And, I’ll always root for her - that genuine & talented teen who grabbed the world by the heart.
Glad to have been along for 5 miles of that journey.
(PS - **I THINK that was the song. Regardless, I distinctly remember hearing it on the radio some time later and having to pull over - “wait - THAT’S the song she said she’d written 12 hours before performing it for me?!?”)
Anyway. It’s moments like that one that make me stop and say, you know what? Man, I have a pretty cool job. Even the tough days.
When your job is to record history, sometimes you get to experience it.
When your job is to record history, sometimes you get to experience it.
