Alexis Taylor knew the moment she stepped out onto the Broadway strip in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, that she was home. Every form of music poured into the streets from a myriad of bars and clubs that line the famous main thoroughfare in that most beloved capital of country music, past and present. Even though she was still too young to enter the bars, her heart was certain that this was the calling that had filled her dreams since childhood.
As a young teenager growing up in Huntsville, Alexis was enraptured with singing, entertainment and, at a very early age, song writing. Both her parents were involved with music and Alexis recalls that even as a little girl she had music all around her. Her father’s love of country music soon found its way into her own heart. Seeing her dad walk around the house playing guitar and singing, writing his own country songs, inspired and deeply influenced her.
With the radio always tuned in to a country channel, Alexis fell more and more in love with her favourite stars—Faith Hill, Shania Twain, “those classic country women”. On her twelfth birthday, she wrote her first song, establishing the basis for a passion she continues to follow. Alexis seemed to know that she was destined to become a country artist even in those very formative years.
While she knew that she was going to be a singer, Alexis followed her parents’ advice to have some backup career education and went off to university in Virginia to study for a teaching degree. During her college stay, two important developments occurred: first, her friends took her to visit Nashville on a weekend jaunt, where the electrifying energy of Music City clarified her own sense of mission; and second, she began to take extracurricular classes in voice, ear training, and music theory, even though the school frowned upon it.
Moving to Nashville to become a recording artist would be daunting for most artists. The usual path would be to arrive with years of stage performance or other professional growth and training, but Alexis just followed her heart and went. In her first few shows on open mic or talent nights, she barely had a few songs in her repertoire but she quickly established a network of producers and side musicians interested in her talent. This confidence Alexis possesses is a trait remarkably characteristic of talented, determined people.
With the help of many who surrounded her, Alexis was able to begin building a career as a country music performer and artist. In the summer of 2016, Alexis began a tour with renowned country singer Doug Seegers, whose own extraordinary story is in itself very uplifting and moving. To be in the company of such a legendary performer on an international tour propelled Alexis’s fledgling career onto the centre stage, where she remains. In 2018, she won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2018 Tennessee Music Awards and in 2020 she was nominated for Modern Country Vocalist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards.
A more prestigious honour is the fact that Alexis Taylor is fast becoming a recognized star on streaming services across all platforms, garnering in excess of 350,000 streams—an amazing feat for an emerging artist.
Although the pandemic most certainly hindered her touring schedule and performance appearances, Alexis has continued to write and record. The release of her newest single “Getaway” pays tribute to all her listeners stuck at home and promises them a staycation, if only through their imaginations. The song is a classic modern country tune, filled with enough joy and fun to uplift the weariest of souls. As in her previous 2020 releases, “Cool With That” and “Just One Look”, these songs showcase her pop-inflected vocals surrounded by the colouration of modern country instrumentation. Songs like these are bound to generate a massive fan base for her music, which will likely culminate in an album release sometime in 2021.
With her emerald-green eyes and her piercing smile, Alexis is already shaping a huge presence in the very popular new country, pop country genre. More importantly, she seems to be astutely adept at the modern marketing that all music acts face, using media platforms to reach her audience. YouTube has become a major factor for all performers and Alexis seems to be a natural talent with the medium. As with her streaming activity, she has found a large and growing subscriber base. This is incredibly important in today’s competitive music market and allows fans to enjoy Alexis’ music in a personal, favoured manner. (See her YouTube channel here.)
Media aside, Alexis Taylor is a highly developed songwriter and song interpreter. Her track “Blame it On the Whiskey” is a powerful blend of pop sensibility with country intonation. On this song alone, she will be assured of countless bookings when live music resumes. Along with her other impressive material that she is amassing for a future EP, Alexis is guaranteed to be a fan favourite in the country scene with very high crossover appeal.
Alexis remains loyal to her roots and her family who play such an intricate role in her on-going success and progress. She readily admits to being humbled by the help she has received and the accolades sent her way. Faith and prayer are of tremendous importance to her. A fast-paced life in the music business can undermine values and norms but Alexis seems to have a strong grip on the reins of her career arc and most assuredly is a positive and inspirational person. Music has always been a part of her life and her dreams, like so many, but Alexis Taylor has taken the steps toward achievement, with big, bold strides filled with love and joy.
Learn more about Alexis at alexistaylormusic.com.
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