Could Taylor Swift Be the Emmylou of Tomorrow?
I know, I know. Emmylou Harris is in a class by herself. But at one of her concerts this weekend, I swear I saw Taylor Swift, circa 2051.
Emmylou was a hippie cowgirl before hippie cowgirls were cool. Just like Swift with her bohemian dresses and cowboy boots, Emmylou brought a unique sense of style to the country stage. And consider the accessory they both wear so proudly: the acoustic guitar. Both artists learned to play as teens, and their playing is as much a part of their music as their voices. Even their rocker posture is the same -- hunched over with hair falling forward, as if that was the only way to get a bigger sound out of the strings. The music itself shares some commonalities, too. Both sing about love gone wrong, usually with aching and raw voices. And both are always backed with traditional instruments played with a straightforward sound. Listen to Emmylou's Blue Kentucky Girl and you'll hear the same youthful passion for country that has found its way into Swift's tunes.
Their upbringings and career starts are nothing alike. But both were praised early on for their fusing of country and pop. And both have done so much for the genre: Emmylou folking it up a bit, Swift flooding it with the young and open-minded. It makes me wonder if a few decades from now, some newcomer will say that she was really influenced by the Taylor Swift years. And maybe people will wear T-shirts that say, "What Would Taylor Do?" And, after Swift has won a dozen Grammys and made a couple of anthology albums, guys like Chet Flippo will say things like, "May she record forever."
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Don says:
OMG have you lost your mind.
No ,no and no Taylor Swift will never be the next Emmylou.
Please Emmylou has talent.
bkb says:
please do not include swift with emmylou. swift does not have any amount of talent and it is time people begin to speak up on this. being young, cute with a mop of hair does not make a star.
barbara baer says:
taylor is never going to be another emmylou.
taylor has no talent all she does is flop around her hair
stop overating her i have never heard her sing a ballard
that i can say is beautiful she does not have the vocals.
papote says:
Taylor does have talent. As John Rich so well put it, “Taylor Swift kicks country ass.” I think the she well could be the next Emmylou. She is THAT GOOD.
JCH says:
I am essentially the poster child for all things supporting one Miss Taylor Swift, but I don’t think the two can be bundled together. Emmylou Harris, is well, Emmylou Harris. She is one of the greatest harmonizers of all time and has this uncanny ability to emote seemingly without effort. Taylor Swift is a young and admirable talent but I could never her see her matching Emmylou.
Always Right says:
Papote,
If you take anything John Rich says as gospel, you are a moron. Rich is filed under “No-Talent” with Swift.
sugar says:
This has got to be a joke right? Not a huge fan of Carrie Underwood but if it weren’t for Carrie’s success and bringing a whole new audience to Country, Taylor would just be another struggling female in Country, Carrie opened a door for Taylor to the pop world and Taylor IMO is pushing the pop side of her Career more than the Country side, I don’t think Taylor cares what genre she’s in as long as its what makes her a Superstar, girl is a sell out and can’t sing to save her life. Country is going to hell if this girl is the next big deal.
John says:
yeah but— Emmylou could and can sing…..
nough said
let it go
steve says:
This is a joke right???
Kim says:
This is the most offensive blog headline I have ever read. Emmylou is an unequaled interpreter and gifted songwriter. She records timeless, poetic songs with an incredible amount of class and the most pristine voice ever recorded. Taylor Swift is a juvenile with ridiculously cheesy, forgettable songs and a very weak voice. Seriously. She needs to take a shower on stage to “entertain?” Taylor may be pretty, but she’s not talented. And she’s not even as pretty as Emmylou (at 62!).
Mally Jake says:
who is Emmylou please reply
I hate bkb says:
um bkb who are you talkin trash about Taylor why she is awesome who else thinks so? everyone
porky says:
PLEASE do not compare Taylor to Emmylou !!
Karen says:
This isn’t even moderately amusing or thought-provoking. Taylor had a couple of cute ditties she wrote “Tim McGraw” and the “Teardrops” one. The others are bland and repetitive, but she sells and appeals to young girls. Great. I’m all for her bringing dollars into Nashville, and I have nothing against her personally, but it is a general consensus that she has very feeble vocal skills that have to be heavily manipulated to be digested versus the “hippie” you were speaking of who was making masterful interpretations of unique classics with Gram as well as forging an incredible career, most notable for her angelic pipes and incredible harmonies. Never can she be compared to someone whose career is solely based on tiaras, prom dresses and ProTools.
Baron Lane says:
Yeah, and maybe Kenny Chesney is the next Johnny Cash.
First Swift would have to learn to sing. I’ve watched her live on at least a dozen occasions and not once…NOT ONCE…was she on key. You want the next Emmylou Harris? Look at the current Americana scene she helped cultivate with Gram Parsons (Star Anna, Elizabeth Cook,Sera Cahoone, Caitlin Rose, etc.) not the top country charts where she’s seldom been welcomed.
porky says:
Karen,
You have expressed, succinctly, what most people over 20 think of Taylor Swift’s music. I am actually embarrassed when I have to watch her. It is not that I don’t like her as a person, but it is embarrassing that she and her people think she has singing skills. Concerts for her age group are fine as they seem to love her for being a role model. But I really wish the people in charge would not shove her at us. That is why I was mortified to think anyone was seriously comparing her to Emmylou. I actually think (hope) that Allison was speaking satirically.
Hmmm says:
Is this another example of jumping on the Taylor Swift bandwagon? “Let’s write or talk about Taylor being awesome and all her fans will become a fan of me” type of deal? John Rich did it on Nashville Star, which was amazingly awkward. She sounds like Avril Lavigne, only with a guitar. (I must say though that she seems like a great person and is a good role model for kids. I’m not trying to criticize Taylor, but all the other journalists and artists that are feeding off of her success - even if it hurts their credibility)
Chazz Davidson says:
Get real, Taylor Swift the next Emmylou, how about never!!!
The only reason Taylor is in the spotlight right now, is because she is the only artist on Big Machine records that has sold more than 10 ablums, ha ha! She is cute but she really is not a good singer. As sooon as, she gets a little bit older it is good bye Taylor. No one will remember her in ten years or even five. She will never be a Reba, Dolly or Loretta!
redk says:
Never Ever Ever compare some cute little blonde who can almost carry a tune to someone with the credentials of Emmylou Harris. When Emmylou was knocking them dead with her country songs back when radio would still play a country song, she was also throwing in everything on her albums from the Carter Family to Bill Monroe to gospel. And just for fun would include something from The Band and Simon and Garfunkel. She could sing anything. Let’s hear Ms. Swift even attempt the vocals on Wayfaring Stranger or Red Dirt Girl or Making Believe and see what she can do. Then you can write a stupid article like this. There is no other Emmylou!!!
e the intern says:
Yeah Taylor Swift is the next emmylou…
and hell is just a sauna.
e the intern says:
And what’s more, i’m a tiny bit depressed that someone writing for an accredited website like CMT would have that opinion.
abc says:
Taylor Swift and all of the other country singers(besides Underwood) have nice voices. they can sing perform and carry a tune better than any of u on this blog. Taylor swift will not however become the next emmylou but taylor swift. selling records singing and writing song while continuing to make country music better and better
Always Right says:
abc,
Taylor Swift can sing, perform, and carry a tune better than any of us on this blog? Judging by her live performances, she would fit right in with all of us on karaoke night at the nearest dive bar.
OutlawSteph says:
I agree with the consensus here. But it’s almost immoral in a way to have put Taylor Swift out there at such a young age. There are countless young prodigies who are very talented and can play with the big boys and big girls at a precious age. Taylor isn’t one of them. If she were playing with me I’d think she would have a lot of work to do before playing or singing in public. (No I wouldn’t be in her band but have jammed with worse.) But that would be normal for a teenager to not get it yet, and I would encourage all of them to continue practicing and working on learning music and learning about true country heritage and not singing anything they wouldn’t be proud of as a mature adult.
Emmylou was one of those very gifted young people and now is an adult many look up to very much. There’s no comparison there.
-Stephanie
kayefun says:
Could Taylor Swift be the Emmylou (meaning Emmylou Harris) of tomorrow?
No, not gonna happen.
audi16 says:
I wish everyone would stop putting down Taylor Swift she is a great person and singer.She also writes her own songs.
Taylor is a great role model,however people come to Taylor’s concerts to hear her sing not because she is a good role model.I think that Taylor is one of the most unique singers I have ever seen, she can suceed in pop or country music. She has drawn a new audience to country music and that is a great thing. I predict that Taylor will be singing for a long time, so those of you who don’t like her better come around to the idea of Taylor Swift.
As for me, I think she is great!
Patti says:
What makes me sad about this whole blog is that young people today think “entertain” is synonymous with “sing”. I suggest that the people who think Miss Swift is a good singer go listen to Emmylou Harris, Allison Kraus, Nanci Griffin, and then listen to SSNO. If they cannot tell the difference, then I give up.
The young people of the 70s and 80s who loved real country music were not the mainstream kids. MOST kids in the 70s and 80s liked rock or pop. So, it is reasonable to infer that Taylor’s fans don’t really even know what good country music is. They are simply pawns in a huge marketing business that has been quite successful. The powers in charge have deemed her country because she lives in Nashville and wears boots. Her CMA show “Should’ve Said No” was NOT country. If it were not so sad, it would be funny to see what is called country music today. I can count on a couple of fingers, female singers, that get any airtime, that are really worthy of the title “COUNTRY”.
WHAT says:
What an insult to Ms Harris this blog is! These two should not even be mentioned in the same sentence, must less compared.
Taylor Swift is nothing but a spoiled, pompous teenager, who thinks she is hot stuff because she penned a few teenage angst songs and can use Myspace. Where would she be today if it weren’t for cyberspace? Not the country music scene that’s for sure! Her ACM performance was nothing more than a smokescreen to hide everything she is truly lacking . . . vocal ability, stage presence, maturity. She needs to get a grip on reality if she wants to be a long term contender. Hopefully the teeny boppers that support her today will grow up and realize what a joke Swift really is!
solitude says:
^ I agree that taylor swift would probably be no where if it werent for the internet. but carrie underwood wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for american idol. i think taylor might lack the vocal pipes that carrie has, but she makes up for it by being slightly more legitimate (in my opinion) for writing her own songs and playing an instrument. to me, the core of country music is expressing one’s angst or happiness. it’s not about cowboys and trucks, it’s about everything that all music is about — love, loss, hurt, and joy. emotion. to say that taylor or her music lacks this is absolutely false. If nothing else, she’s brought youth into the genre.
i love taylor swift’s songs (i’m 19) and I think they’re easy for girls my age to relate to. to be honest, i think they have just as much substance (or probably more) as what people like Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and B&D are putting out. To accuse Taylor of selling out is ludicrous — the entire genre has sold out.
bkb says:
playing an instrument and writing songs that are only about her teenage experiences will not get it without the abilty to carry a tune. i wonder what she would do with the singing of the national athem? heaven forbid if she is ever ask to perform.
solitude says:
ha i believe she’s sung it before.
bkb says:
sorry i missed it. must have been an exciting experience when she went for the high notes.
steve out of arizona says:
Taylor swift should take two years off and get voice
lesson’s. I do not understand how all these people who
sing taylor swifts praises, not notices she sing flat.
emmylou harris is a country icon and taylor swift can’t
even hold a candle to her talent.
nancy k says:
I thought I was going deaf … or at least tone deaf … until I read this blog. Thank you all for agreeing that the young lady seems to be shy on talent. Why is so much recognition being bestowed upon a questionable performer with negligible talent? There are so many truly talented young people who just don’t have the promotion machine behind them that Ms. Swift has. What a shame …
hotelmotel says:
Taylor Swift’s skills need some honing, as many people point out. But perhaps in time she will develop her skills and become a fine artist, and not a mere media sensation.
Taylor Swift’s music is definitely not for me, but I have nothing against her and wish her luck.
Crestlinerfred says:
Can I say TS should leave the singing to maybe LeAnn Rimes who really could sing at age 13.
Rita says:
How old are you Ms. Bonaguro?!?!?!
Given that your highly inaccurate comparison of our beloved country folk icon Emmylou and one teeny boppin’ Taylor Swift is based on the the ability to “be and look cool” with a “rocker” toss of the hair while slouchily wearin’ a bohemian style dress, donnin’ a pair of cowboy boots and strappin’ a guitar around one’s waist, it is highly doubtful you have been around on this earth, much less country music, anywhere near long enough to know what in the heck you are talkin’ about.
Your reference to the guitar as “an accessory” as if it were a logo-bearin’ designer handbag or the latest style pointy pumps is highly tellin’ and a clue-giver to your “credentials” if there ever was one.
To EVEN make an attempt at puttin’ these two far-removed-from-each-other females on the same musical page usin’ “similar” antics and aesthetics as a binder to segue into comparin’ Emmylou and Taylor Swift’s artistic abilities is, well, “so totally lame.”
While I DO understand the NEED for you to make the preliminary “cosmetic” comparisons in order to try and convince today’s commercially driven mainstream video watchin’ audience of Taylor Swift’s stayin’ power, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE leave Ms. Emmylou’s name out of anything so inanely shallow.
Besides, the only legitimate comparison, physical or otherwise, you could have made, you didn’t.
Could it be that discussin’ overbites isn’t reader-friendly material?
Or could it be you already knew that you had bitten off more than you could chew with this insanely so-off-the-mark bizarre blog entry???
r says:
get a life rita
Rita says:
r: thank you kindly for the suggestion, but my life already “revolves” around music … what could be sweeter?!?!?! … keep a song in your heart! … :D :D :D
Emily says:
I don’t think Talor could relly sing at the age of 13 lie LeAnn Rimes could!
r says:
all i was saying rita, was to give alison a break, considering she lives and breathes country music as her job and she was simply making a comparison.
Rita says:
I’m sorry, r, but IMO, ANYONE who would EVEN entertain the thought of the possibility of Taylor Swift EVER leavin’ the same kind of musical legacy as legendary country folk icon Emmylou Harris needs to have his/her highly questionable “credentials” called on the carpet.
After readin’ Ms. Bonaguro’s blog on Jessica Simpson’s foray into the realm of mainstream “country” music, my opinion concernin’ her credentials is further strengthened.
The woman has her head/pocketbook so deeply wrapped around the “fauxness” of it all, she doesn’t even have a clue what REAL country music is or what it takes to achieve the status Emmylou Harris has in the halls of REAL country music history.
Don’t worry about anymore comments from me on Ms. Bonaguro’s blogs.
They aren’t worth wastin’ my time readin’ much less the trouble it takes typin’ comments about ‘em.
Emilyy says:
taylor swift WILL be the next Emmylou. Taylor is amazing. And she does have talent, more talent then any of these people commenting, including me. you can’t bash her because no one here can do any bit better. They might say they can but yeah rright we all know it. Taylor is going to be the next greatest star, you just have to be open about that!
Pappy says:
This is ridiculous…The only way that Taylor can be compared to Emmylou is that they both have a vagina…that’s it. That’s it.
Always Right says:
How old are you Emilly? 12? Do you even KNOW who Emmylou Harris is? I’m willing to bet you don’t.
Taylor Swift will be gone within 5 years…thankfully.
alex says:
why does everyone have to be so negative? u should want success for a person
david says:
Taylor sounds like a screeching cat when she sings. Her new song is miserable.
Kelley says:
Although the vocals of Emmylou and Taylor are not comparable, what each of them did to change country music is. Plus, they really are both talented songwritters. The people getting angry about Taylor, I’m sure, are the same ones who thought Garth Brooks would be out of country as soon as he got in it. He doesn’t have the most amazing vocals, but he is one hell of an entertainer.
brit says:
It is nice to see I am not alone. This girl can not sing!!!! She is a pop tart. She sounds horrible. She is even worse on live shows. It is a good thing she is cute and young. While you are watching a cute thing shake her ass you are not listening to the screaming she calls singing.
barbara baer says:
I put on you tube and i saw taylor swift
singing the national anthem I cannot believe
she used a guitar…i truly believe she could
not sing without her guitar….
K says:
I think its a great comparison. He isnt saying Taylor and Emmylou are exactly alike, he is saying both brought a new little something into country music, and have/had the same style. Taylor is amazingly talented, as a songwriter, singer, and guitar player. Carrie Underwood didnt open any door for her either, Taylor already had a record deal, and was recording her album before Carrie Underwood even WON American Idol. She is the epitome of what hard work and dedication to your dreams can do, and I applaud Taylor for it. Her music is uplifting, heartwrenching, and fantastic all balled into one. And I for one LOVE this blog. Dont harp on this man because yall are all mad you werent that awesome at 17. And also, dont question or judge his opinion. Its just that, an OPINION. Voice yours, and then get over it. Because some of us adore Taylor. :-]
bkb says:
adore swift but please do not push her none talent on us. wake up, she is what she is, a little teen with a lot of curly hair and cowboy boots and lack of any singing ability.
Jonesy says:
Alison…seriously, are you high??? Taylor Swift is nothing like Emmylou (who can sing by the way). Taylor seems to have a great talent writing, but her vocal skills leave a lot to be desired. She is almost always off key in her live performances and it’s a bit embarrassing to watch.
Phil says:
Taylor Swift has no vocal talent whatsoever. Taylor has little talent in songwriting. I think that her songs are stupid and all talk about teenage love life. Taylor is the musical equivalance of Hilary Duff or Ashley Tisdale. Emmylou Harris is a great artist, Taylor is not.
hjj says:
I liked two of Taylor’s song. Most of the time I’m embarrass that Taylor’s singing ability is what many think country is. She seems to be a talented writer but not much of a singer. Honestly, how many great song writers that have more ability to carry a tune and sing that do not get any air time, ie. Ashley Monroe, Jennifer Hanson. I think it is unbelievable how Taylor’s lack of singing ability is ignored by so many. Emmylou is fantastic and certainly can do it all and I love her music over the years.
unbelievable says:
You just lost all credibility. It’s a shame that anyone that gets paid to blog about Country Music could be so ignorant. Taylor can’t even sing, yet you think she’s the next Emmylou. Get a day job…
WTF??? says:
When HELL freezes over.
Michael Smythe says:
It is really very simple: Adults want real music by artists who can actually sing. Teens and kids buy into the hype, and don’t even notice the bad singing. That is the only reason Taylor is popular– with teens and the Hanna Montana crowd.
I see Taylor more on pop radio then country- with remixes and catering to the pop crowd. To compare that britney spears want to be, to a true country legend such as Emmylou, is the biggest insult you can ever give her.
I am a farmer in a small town, and I have followed country music my whole life. I do not see any real talent or authenticity in Taylor- as my kids can all sing better then her, as can most of us commenting here right now.
I do however see real talent in Ms. Carrie. She has a beautiful voice and seems to be a true country sweetheart.
For Taylor to sign autographs during Carrie’s set- was an insult to Carrie and disrespectful– clearly she was trying to get people to not watch carrie. Didn’t work though– not with the adults who were there anyway, and real country fans.
Total Rubbish! says:
Country singers have been wearing sundresses with cowboy boots for YEARS!! How is that taylor’s “distinctive style”??
The day the grammy voters give that horrendous voice a grammy, is the day I stop watching the grammys for good.
Joey says:
First of all, fans of Taylor Swift cannot be allowed to post comments about their artist and have it posted on the front page of CMT. This reviewer is obviously a huge fan or why would she write such a ridiculous article. Taylor Swift and EmmyLou Harris should never be in the same sentence. I have some respect for Taylor, she’s done alot with what talent she has. I have to give her props. But, please, don’t compare EmmyLou with someone that obviously can’t carry a tune if her life depended on it. Leave the singing to Carrie, Leann, Faith, Martina, Trisha, Miranda, Sara, etc.
E says:
hmmmmm…. I wonder if mommy and daddy bought Emmy Lou Harris’s Record deal?….. I think not. It is a sad day when fame can be bought and forced upon the public… I miss the days when talent was all you needed to rise to the top. Taylor is awful!!!
merlefan46 says:
Alison Bonaguro,
Thanks for giving me the best laugh I’ve had in years and years. Reading this blog afirms you know nothing about good vocalists if you remotely think this teen will ever, ever compare to Emmy Lou.
blogrss says:
hello…
thanks…
Hiedy says:
Taylor Swift has just popped up on the seen and may be gone just as quick.If you want to look for who would be the next Emmy Lou why not look at Allison Krauss.
We Luv Taylor says:
Emmylou is a legend and nothing can ever change that, but Talor is great in her own right. She has been the writer or co-writer of ALL of her songs, and her shows are awesome. In light of that, I sure wish I was as “untalented” as you claim Taylor is. I can’t wait for Fearless to come out!
LJ says:
Taylor Swift has mega-lasting power! She has more talent than you know and I would bet that 10 years from now, we’ll still be talking about her! If anything, she’s only getting better and better…better vocals, better performances, better writing…everything!
Jen says:
Taylor Swift was a virtual unknown 2 years ago but because she appeals to teeny bopper young girls she has become successfull….so has Miley Cyrus
.This is a fad.
Just like any boy band in pop music.
Taylor doesn’t do country music anyway her record company remixes her music so it will be played on mainstream top 40 stations.
We Luv Taylor says:
I think people need to remember that when her first CD came out, her lyrics had been written by a 13 year old. She has a talent beyond her years. She may not become the next Emmylou Harris but she will remain Taylor Swift, which will be as great as Emmylou. She is great because she cannot be compared to anybody else. She is amazing becuase sometimes people want to hear a controlled soft voice and songs about boys. Personally, I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.
radcliff says:
Taylor Swift will probably never gain the respect of Emmylou Harris because Taylor specializes in bubblegum pop country.
Phillip says:
Taylor is a tone deaf singer that will be forgotten soon.
kee says:
Yes, and my 3 year old granddaughter, who likes to color, should be included in discussions of the masters.
russ richter says:
no.
wtf says:
wtf…taylor swift wouldnt win a fuking high school talent contest she sucks so bad…but shes this “famous singer” out there…like all the talentless losers in music…how can you compare talentless trash like taylor wh*re to anyone really…she is horrible…what is wrong with this stupid society…she won awards–why?? why are they giving awards to talentless sh*t like her…i don’t get it…why are people critiquing this pathetic wh*re…she’s a cute teen tart reject with tons of hair so that makes her a superstar– first stupid nasty lady gaga the wench, and other untalented pathetic trash then this stupid wh*re…enough of the circus music has become…this is a joke right…
dripable says:
Curiously, a well written writing..
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