Country stars have sung the legendary artist's praises over the years — see their connections to Taylor Swift below.
From her Eras Tour and its corresponding movie to her NFL love story to being named TIME’s Person of the Year, Taylor Swift has hit a cultural high. And it’s been building to this moment since her debut album in 2006.
Although she made the jump from country to pop music, many of her Nashville counterparts have kept friendly relationships with her. In honor of Taylor Swift’s 34th birthday, C&I looks back at her famous friends’ praises and what they’ve meant during her journey.
Kenny Chesney
Swift was supposed to tour with Chesney way back when, but unfortunately, a beer company sponsored his tour, and she was just 17 at the time. So, Chesney had to drop her from his tour. However, instead of just leaving her in a lurch, he gave her a check that would go on to help her pay her band, bus driver, manager, and more. The two have kept a wonderful relationship since, as we can see via Chesney’s Instagram post, congratulating her on winning TIME’s Person of the Year.
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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
On McGraw and Hill’s Soul2Soul tour, Swift served as the opening act. McGraw is quoted saying, “We knew early on, when she was opening for Faith and I on our Soul2Soul tour, just her and an acoustic guitar, and spending time with her. Faith and I knew that there was no stopping her. She’s a special talent.”
Alan Jackson
In an interview with Sounds Like Nashville, Jackson talked about the first time he heard Taylor Swift. He said, “First song I ever heard of hers was “Teardrops on My Guitar.” I heard that song on the radio, and as soon as I heard it, I told my wife, ‘I don’t know who that is, but that’s a great song, and it’s going to be a big hit.’” Jackson and his wife, Denise, congratulated her latest accomplishment with TIME via a throwback photo on Instagram.
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Maren Morris
In November 2023, Morris spoke highly of her friend, Swift, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying, “We’re the same age, but looking up to her since I was a teenager, and watching her navigate her country music to pop career so gracefully, and the way she treats her fans is so kind and generous. She’s setting a high bar.” Morris continued, “She’s just been so supportive of me and my career over the years.”
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Kelly Clarkson
Clarkson is credited for giving Swift the idea to re-record her albums. She had, at the time, tweeted at Swift saying, “Just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs … U don’t own the masters on… I’d buy all the new versions just to prove a point.”
When Swift released her re-recorded albums with “Taylor’s Version” attached to them, she sent a gift to Clarkson as a small thank you for the idea.
Clarkson is quoted via E! News as saying, “She's a very smart businesswoman. So, she would have thought of that. But it just sucks when you see artists that you admire and you respect really wanting something and it's special to them. You know if they're going to find a loophole, you find a loophole. And she did it and literally is, like, the best-selling artist … of all-time now.”
Dolly Parton
In November 2023, Parton is quoted as showering Swift with compliments in an interview with Norah O’Donnell. Parton said “I tell you, that girl, that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. She’s a phenom as they say. She’s just amazing and I love her. I’ve loved her since she was little when she first came to town.” Parton continued, “But I think it’s just amazing what she has done. She is a good girl, and she is a talented girl, and she’s somebody that everybody can feel good about loving. ‘Cause she can show it just enough, but never too much. But she is a great writer and great singer. I just think she’s amazing.”
Copyright 2014 Grand Ole Opry® / Photo by Chris Hollo
