We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taylor Hughes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I am absolutely happier as an artist and I don’t think I’ve ever thought I’d be better off having a regular job. Don’t get me wrong, this is a TOUGH business to be in. There are plenty of struggles that come with chasing this music dream. I have to do 10+ jobs (creative, marketing team, business owner, content creator, booking agent, etc), sometimes going paycheck to paycheck, having to hear “no” several times till you find people who believe in you, missing out on special events or moments with loved ones because I’m on the road a lot, and more. BUT I believe God doesn’t put a burning passion in your heart for no reason. Music has brought me so much joy and it has also allowed me to connect with all kinds of people. I truly feel alive when I step on stage, singing my heart out and seeing fans enjoying themselves. God has given me a gift and a dream, and it is one I’ve never wavered from. I’ve been Nashville for 8 years now working towards my dreams and I have a lot of people who believe in me and my music. It’s important to me that I make them proud so you won’t see this girl ever giving up.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Taylor Hughes is a force to be reckoned with in the country music scene. Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, and now calling Nashville home, Hughes has carved out a unique space with her powerful, raw, and soulful sound—a captivating blend of southern rock and blues that sets her apart from the typical country artist. Award-winning Gospel singer and vocal coach Christy Sutherland likens her voice to “rich chocolate cake with soul,” while Tennessee Star Magazine has dubbed her “Country music’s answer to Adele.”
Hughes burst onto the scene with her debut single “Good Taste” in 2020, which found a home on iHeart Radio and beyond. Her sophomore release, “Prayin’ to the Whiskey,” solidified her status as a rising star, earning nominations for “Emerging Artist of the Year” in the UK and “International Song of the Year” in Ireland, where it cracked the top 10. Her third single, “High on Something,” climbed the Texas Internet Radio Charts, while her 2023 release, “Jesus and Jail,” further showcased her songwriting prowess and vocal power. And if anyone wondered whether she could keep raising the bar, her 2025 single “Old Fashioned You” answered with a resounding yes: a country-soul gem that celebrates the timeless kind of man, wrapped in velvet harmonies and lyrics carved in oak; proof that Taylor Hughes isn’t just arriving; she’s getting better, sharper, and more irresistible with every song she releases.
A decorated artist, Hughes has racked up accolades across the industry, with her unstoppable momentum earning her official membership in the Country Music Association (CMA), a testament to her skyrocketing streaming numbers and electrifying touring success. She’s a multi-year winner of the Lexington Music Awards, taking home “Country Artist of the Year” in 2023 and “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for “Jesus and Jail” in 2024. The Josie Music Awards have honored her as “Multi Genre Vocalist of the Year” in 2023 and “Southern Rock/Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year” in 2024 at the Grand Ole Opry. Her songwriting shines beyond her own releases, with five cuts by independent artists and a standout feature on Whey Jennings’ 2024 debut album *Jekyll & Hyde* with “Girl On A Fast Horse,” a SiriusXM hit featured in Forbes.
From sharing stages with Chase Rice, Riley Green, Alexandra Kay, Uncle Kracker, Pistol Annies’ Angaleena Presley and more to electrifying fans at festivals and mini-tours, Hughes delivers live performances brimming with energy, passion, and authentic country spirit. With a string of nominations and awards from 2016 to now, multiple successful tours, music releases and song cuts—she shows no signs of slowing down, Taylor Hughes is a rising star you won’t want to miss.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think something that might be hard for non-creatives to understand, specifically being an artist/musician is how demanding and time consuming our career is. To some people, I’m sure it looks like we have the coolest, most fun, and “easiest” job ever. We just jump on stage, sing some songs, and then go out and party all night right? WRONG, the performance is such a small part of what we do and a lot of us don’t party once we get off stage, at least I don’t these days ha!
As an independent artist, I wear a lot of hats. I perform of course but that’s not all. I book my own shows, I create my own social media content and run 6 accounts, I have to market myself not only on social media but when I’m out playing shows or networking events, I have to rehearse and write songs either for myself or for other artists, I have to stay on top of reporting live performances and streaming platforms, touring, the list goes on and on. It can be hard to “turn it off” at the end of the day because there is always something else that needs to be done to stay relevant in this business. People probably don’t realize that independent artists aren’t getting paid to do all of these things either.
They also might not realize that we sacrifice a lot to chase our dreams. We miss weddings, holidays, birthdays or just special moments like seeing your daughter roll for the very first time because we’re on the road touring. It can be very taxing on the mind and body; very little sleep, always on the go, and the stress of being relevant in a world where music is being released nonstop, making sure you can compete with the best. Not being able to be there for your family and friends all the time; it’s unbelievably hard.
They might say, “well if it’s this hard, why not get a regular job?” and the answer is simple, we can’t because these dreams and passions have been branded on our hearts for a reason. It is our calling, it’s how we connect with others, share our feelings and experiences when just speaking won’t do the job. For me, I have wanted this since I was a little girl and I’ve never wanted to do anything else. For years my purpose for succeeding has been to not only live out my dreams but to be successful for those who believe in me, to help give back to my loved ones who have sacrificed so much to get me where I am. Now with my own child, it truly means even more. I want to show her that you can have it all. You can have a beautiful family and chase your dreams and that she should never let anyone tell her that she can’t.
I guess it all comes down to, why do creatives put ourselves through all the struggles and challenges to make it… because we’re crazy! What can I say, artists are a different animal haha
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
This is a question I get often so I’m happy to shed some more light on it. For an independent artist, the fans support is so crucial to our success…we couldn’t do this without you! We all know that the music industry is constantly changing and us artists are having to evolve and adapt every day it seems. We are in a world where social media and streaming platforms are very powerful and influential; they can make or break us. It’s no longer just about making music.
Something that is a huge help to an artist is making sure that you are following them on every platform. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, you name it, we need the follows and likes. This is very important because when we are booking shows, planning tours, trying to get sponsorships, etc these people are looking at our numbers, They want to hire an artist that has a following, that can fill a venue, put butts in seats and make them money. An artist could be the most talented person in the world but if they don’t have the big numbers, it won’t mean a thing to a venue. This is the same when it comes to where fans get their music; iTunes, Spotify, Youtube, wherever. It’s important that you download our songs, add them to your playlists, share them with others, whatever you can think of! Like I said, it’s a numbers game and we need the fans. Plus, a majority of these things are FREE!
Of course we also need the fans to come to our shows, buy our merch and spread the word. All of these things help make it possible for artists to put on a show, tour new areas, get into the studio to bring you more great music and pay their bills. Fans are the heart of what we do, we love y’all and we need you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorhughesmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorhughesmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylorhughesmusic/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TayHughes_Music
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPhD12xLCpMZRUcDDFNjpw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lUTE6qzOxQBCjbEKzAjOP?si=tIFMrQ3TQYWjJJEgj2odhg
https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorhughesofficial
Image Credits
Hank Jr Productions
James Hopper Photography