Rising Stars: Meet Taylor Hughes of Spring Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Hughes

Hi Taylor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, it’s an interesting and kind of funny journey of where I “started” and how I got to where I am today. I was born and raised in Lexington, KY with two very loving and supportive parents, a big brother, and lots of dogs! I remember loving to perform and putting on little skits at home from a young age. However, as I got older, I became more shy and not as vocal about my dreams for reasons I’m not real certain of to be honest. I was always involved with school and church choir, singing for my friends whenever I could but never expressed that being a singer was what I wanted. I guess I hadn’t realized it could be a career yet! I was also heavily involved with athletics for many years. I played volleyball from middle school to almost the end of my high school career; it consumed all my time, but I loved it. I had plans of going to college on a scholarship until I suffered a career ending injury. Little did I know, this was a blessing in disguise!

I was in my junior year of high school when I decided I wanted to learn guitar and with my injury, it seemed like a great idea to get me involved in something new. My dad took me to my first guitar lesson and come to find out, my teacher was someone my dad had babysat. Talk about small world. Paulie, my teacher, became a pivotal part of why my career in music started in the first place. I had had a few lessons when he realized I could sing. Being the shy girl that I was, I said I “dabbled in it” and he knew that there was something more there. He told my parents he wanted to take me to Nashville to perform in a TV Comcast called “Nashville Spotlight” which was held at the iconic Nashville Palace, still a popular venue this day!

My parents were confused of course; there was no way I knew how to play guitar already. I probably knew two chords but when he explained that I was a singer they were more than willing to attend and see what this could possibly be all about. By some miracle, my performances were a hit and the show along with other attendees insisted I become a regular on the show. As we left, my parents stopped me and asked if I was lip-syncing, of course I wasn’t (I was singing to tracks because I couldn’t play guitar yet) and they said, I guess we’ve got something here! This is where my music journey began, right here in Nashville.

For the next several years, I worked on my craft, performing 3-4hour shows four days a week in my hometown and surrounding areas. I started writing music, learning cover songs like crazy, while attending the University of KY and being part of a sorority. Let’s just say I had my hands full. By the time I reached the end of my sophomore year I decided that if music was what I wanted to do for a living, I was going to have to give it all my time and made the decision to leave school. When I told my parents, they were all in. They believed in my talent, the gift God has given me, and my dad told me, “If you’re going to do this then you have to be all in. There is no plan B. You give it your all and never back down. We’ve got your back all the way.” This is something that has stuck with me all these years and is why I continue to bust my butt working towards my dreams.

I continued to perform and write in Lexington but I knew that if I wanted to step up my game, I’d have to move to Nashville. This was always the plan to be honest, to make it to music city. Of course, God has a way of bringing the right people into your life at the right time though; enter future husband. While working on my craft, I met my now husband. He was so supportive of me, showing up to gigs whenever he could, making sure our friends attended, long nights and hauling equipment with my dad. I had the best little team and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. He knew Nashville was where I wanted and needed to be and he was willing to do whatever it took to get me there. After we got married in 2017, we immediately made the move to Nashville. We picked up our entire lives to move to a town where we knew only each other, a new career for him, and ready to chase these big dreams of mine.

We’ve been here for 7 years now and haven’t looked back. I have accomplished a lot of goals of mine. I have had the opportunity to work with amazing songwriters and musicians and can call a lot of them great friends. Creating a community of big dreamers that are there for each other. I have toured in so many new places, met some incredible fans, released music that I love and that have connected me with fans and other artists, won awards, opened for big acts, had a handful of song cuts, etc. There have been highs and lows of course, like any career but I’m so blessed to be doing what I love for a living. I know this is just the beginning and I’m going to continue to work hard, use the gifts God has given me, and make my dreams a reality for me, my family, and all those who have supported me along the way.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road but let’s face it, nothing worth having is going to be easy to get. I can’t complain, I am very blessed to do music full time. That’s not something a lot of artists can say so I’m VERY thankful for that. But with every journey, there will always be bumps in the road. I have faced a handful of challenges, some being things that a lot of artists and songwriters go through. I have been challenged with learning who is in my corner and who isn’t, who can be trusted and who might be using you for their own gain, whatever that maybe. Along this road though, God has brought me the right people, people I can count on to be there for me no matter the highs or lows and vice versa.

I have struggled with having opportunities taken from me that I thought were sure things. I’ve had to learn that these things happen and you just have to roll with the punches. I’v also learned that usually, God has something even better coming for me than what I was upset about losing in the first place.

I have had to deal with set backs and changing plans when it comes to tour schedules or releasing music. Sometimes life happens and you have to make adjustments but what career doesn’t that happen in?

But I’ve also had to endure some “unique” challenges. Losing loved ones, managing major health issues of my own or that someone close to me is dealing with, self doubt and comparison, the list goes on. What I’ve learned and what I’m continuing to work on every day is having faith and knowing God has a special plan for me. Sometimes we don’t always see it or understand it at first but it’s there.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multi award winning artist and songwriter based in the Nashville area, specifically Spring Hill. My style of music is country with southern rock and blues musical influences. My sound can be described as powerful, raw, with a soulful edge that demands attention. My voice has been compared to “rich chocolate cake with soul” by award winning Gospel singer and vocal coach, Christy Sutherland. I’ve been deemed “Country music’s answer to Adele” in the Tennessee Star Magazine as well, something I am highly flattered and grateful for; I love me some Adele!

I work very hard on my craft to make sure that I am the best that I can be. I do vocal training multiple times a week with professional vocal coach Kati Hendricks who has helped me grow significantly and to be more confident with my gift. With that being said, I believe something I specialize in and that I’m known for is my truly unique and powerful voice. I also work hard on my songwriting and entertainment skills so I think those skills are something I specialize in and continue to capitalize on whenever given the opportunity.

My hard work and dedication have been acknowledged by the multiple nominations and awards I have won. I LOVE making music, singing and entertaining, it’s what I was born to do so of course, when my work ethic is being rewarded amongst my peers and by my fans, it’s an amazing feeling. I am very proud of these accomplishments; winning Country Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, etc. I never take these for granted.

I think what sets me apart from other artists is the unique voice God has given me and my own stories told through my music. Fans find it very hard to compare my voice to any other artists and to me that is not only a gift but a strength that I bring to the table. My journey is unique to me but what is so special is that I can write my story and still connect with my fans on a personal level. Performing and being on stage is where I feel at home, where I feel free, and authentically myself. I think this shows through my entertainment skills and also allows me to connect with fans but also give them an unforgettable experience. That to me sets me a part as well.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
How’d do I define success? To be honest, this is a definition that has changed a hundred times for me over the years. I think success can be something that changes or adapts depending on where you are in your journey. It’s funny because sometimes what would be considered a success might not seem like that to me at first until I realize that a year ago this is something I would’ve hoped to happen, if that makes sense. Sometimes we get caught up in all the hustle and bustle that we forget to celebrate the wins we have along the way. These wins, no matter how small, are still successes. What remains to stay true for me though is that if I’m doing what I love, I’m connecting with my fans through my music, and I’m surrounding myself with the right people, than that will always been seen as a success.

Pricing:

• Lyric Shirts $25
• Specialty shirts $36-$42
• 1-on-1 songwriting clinic/tips $100
• Hats $20
• Koozies $5

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taylorhughesmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorhughesmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylorhughesmusic/
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TayHughes_Music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPhD12xLCpMZRUcDDFNjpw
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lUTE6qzOxQBCjbEKzAjOP?si=tIFMrQ3TQYWjJJEgj2odhg