I am a published country-music song writer, and have followed Taylor Swift’s career with a special interest since she has the ability to cast her own personal experiences into her songs, writing many herself.  As has been voiced, many a heartbreak and lost relationship has been portrayed through her lyrics winning many awards, including the prestigious Pinnacle Award.  This was presented to Ms. Swift in November 2013 by The Country Music Association .  For reference and comparison purposes, Garth Brooks was the only other performer to win this award.  Winning this award in the country music genre definitely makes you one of the in crowd.  Alas, I have not so I am an outsider looking in.

Sociologically, the country music genre is a nurturing and supportive association.  The fans are for the most part loyal to their favorites and support their songs and concerts. Ballads are timeless and careers are born and cowboys sing until they ride off into the concert sunset, thinking about George Strait here. Although new variations are tried, the twang and the honky-tonks are the DNA of many a song and career.  The superstars such as Garth Brooks, even with immense crossover success remain true to their country roots, and they tend not to come out of the gate abuckin’ the Country Music Association.  For instance, Garth Brooks, although globally successful, when you relate to the foundation, it is country music through and through.

Having been inspired by recent events to go outside the country music genre with a hip-hot/ballad/duet that would be genre hopping.  Sometimes you don’t choose what you write, it writes itself and this is what is being synchronized in the inner workings of my writing world.  Because of this I was again linked to and became interested in Taylor Swift’s business model as she steps outside of the Nashville nest into the vast world of pop/dance/hip-hop with her new release 1989.  “Shake It Off” is extremely catching  and moving, but the business muse in me whispers, “Should she be so direct and succinct in shaking the country music genre off?”

There is crossing over and then there is crossing off.  The pop world can be endearing but fleeting, unlike those traditional county roots On her album 1989, it has been stated that this is her “first documented official pop album.”  The Country Music Association tweeted “Good luck on your new venture, We’ve LOVED watching your grow!”, as if the country chic has left the nest to roost in the pop world.

Although I am a writer and composer and my career is only a microcosm of hers, still I am personally confronting some of the same issues, that is crossing genres and how to handle it.  Personally, I take the stance that crossing over and embracing all genres without slighting one or the other might, prove to be the most rewarding and career-satisfying.  Why can you not be a country girl and move to the big city and invite all of your fan family for the ride.  I would not want to burn any bridges or give even the slightest hint of that spark.  In some ways, the interaction of Taylor Swift and the Country Music Association give me that impression, the parting of the ways.  As George Strait wrote, “Baby’s Has Gotten Good At Goodbye.”

I am a Taylor Swift fan, and have listened to and enjoyed songs from the recently released 1989.  I just question the business model of the transition from country to pop and the handling of it. The sales will tell, especially album five compared to album six.  There is that highway bridge over Nashville,  and last time I viewed it, it was not up in smoke.