When she was 12 the computer repairman and local musician Ronnie Cremer taught her to play a guitar. He helped with her first efforts as a songwriter, leading to her writing Lucky you. In 2003 Taylor and her parents started working with New York based music manager Dan Dymtrow. Taylor was a model for Abercrombie & Fitch as part of their rising stars campaign and attended meetings with major record labels. After performing original songs at an RCA records showcase , she was given an artist development deal and began making frequent trips to Nashville with her mother.
When she was 14 her father transferred her to Merrill Lynch's Nashville office and the family relocated to a lakefront house in Hendersonville Tennessee. Taylor attended Hendersonville High School but after two years transferred to the Aaron Academy , which through homeschooling could accommodate her touring schedule; she graduated a year early.
