Country music star Tim McGraw fondly recalled recognizing Taylor Swift’s immense talent and star power very early in her career. McGraw and his wife Faith Hill were among the first major artists to take Swift under their wing as an up-and-coming teenage singer-songwriter.
In a recent interview, McGraw shared how he and Hill knew Swift was destined for greatness after she opened for them on their Soul2Soul tour back in 2007. At the time, the 16-year-old Swift was just starting out with her self-titled debut album and a single titled “Tim McGraw.”
McGraw reflected on those early days, 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 both knew that there was no stopping her. She’s a special talent.”
The country icon first met Taylor when she introduced herself after performing “Tim McGraw” at the 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards. Swift penned the sweet, nostalgic track about an ex-boyfriend and named it after McGraw, one of her musical idols.
Clearly impressed by the young singer-songwriter, McGraw and Hill invited Swift to open their massive tour that same year. It marked the first major touring opportunity of her blossoming career.
Seeing Swift command stages nationwide with just her voice and guitar, the couple recognized she possessed that rare “it factor.” Swift then collaborated with McGraw in 2013 on the hit song “Highway Don’t Care.”
McGraw reflected on witnessing those humble origins as Swift has now become a global pop culture phenomenon playing sold out stadiums. Her “Eras Tour” is currently breaking attendance and box office records across the United States and overseas.
But back in 2007, Swift was just a country-singing teenager with big dreams. According to McGraw, both he and Faith could instantly identify her immense potential during their tour together.
Swift’s meteoric rise from Nashville newcomer to one of the biggest stars in music history is unmatched. Now she consistently collaborates with artists she idolized like McGraw in her early days.
The country legend should feel proud that his name helped kickstart Taylor’s career via her breakout single “Tim McGraw.” He offered an early stamp of credibility by bringing the unknown opener on tour before she topped charts and smashed records.
McGraw got to witness Swift’s genesis into a superstar firsthand. And he still speaks warmly about her talents, showing his initial instincts were absolutely correct. Swift has never forgotten her country roots and early mentors like McGraw as she’s reached astonishing heights.
Her music and lyrics have matured with her over the years, but vivid storytelling remains at her core. Swift morphed from Nashville prodigy to pop culture phenomenon, but traces of that sweet 16-year-old with a guitar still emerge in her songs.
She’s carried lessons learned from country mentors like McGraw and Hill into her evolution as a global icon. Swift has maintained a humble reverence for those who aided her rapid rise.
McGraw and Hill’s early faith in young Taylor helped open major doors, setting her on the path towards superstardom. Every budding artist needs believers, and the couple clearly recognized a once-in-a-generation talent.
Looking back, their prescience about Swift’s unlimited ceiling was spot on. At just 32, her accomplishments are rivaled only by icons like The Beatles and Michael Jackson.
But it all started with baby steps like joining the McGraw/Hill tour in 2007. Swift never forgets her roots, even as she’s redefined the limits of pop stardom. That combination of humility and vision has fueled her unprecedented success.
