Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Taylor Swift was having a typical fall night when she took the stage of Nashville's famous Bluebird Café in 2004. Unlike other sixteen-year-olds who might be on dates or doing homework, Swift had chosen a different path. For the past two years, she had been trying to break into the Nashville music scene. As the young singer took the stage with her acoustic guitar that night, she had no idea there was a man in the crowd who would eventually make her a star. Scott Borchetta had bounced between the Nashville outposts of DreamWorks and MCA Records, so he was tired of major label politics. He thought he could do it better. He was, however, lacking one thing-a talented young artist. Swift had been working hard at writing songs ever since she moved to Nashville with her parents, but it was tough. At just fourteen, she was an unproven risk for a major label to invest in. That night, she made Borchetta believe she was the perfect risk to take. After the performance, Borchetta approached Swift. The two had met earlier that year when Swift signed with RCA Records, but this time Borchetta had an offer of his own. He was starting his own record label, Big Machine Records, and he wanted Swift to be his first signing. At first, Swift wasn't impressed, and her parents, who were acting as her manager at the time, were wary. The record label was non-existent-Borchetta didn't even have an office yet. There was, however, something about his drive and outlook on the music industry that gave the Swifts hope. About two weeks after Borchetta heard her at the Bluebird Café, Swift called him. "I just want to let you know I've made up my mind, and I'm waiting for you," Swift told him"--,Provided by publisher.