On Oct. 27, Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album, “1989.” In one week, it sold 1.2 million copies, outselling every other recording project of the entire year. Even second week sales would have done the trick. Kicking off in May of 2015, the 1989 World Tour is sure to be huge. Fans are already buying presale tickets for the mega star’s upcoming performance circuit.

 

In 2009, Swift would have never imagined it all.

 

After opening for some of the industry’s biggest names, the 19-year-old artist - yep, born in 1989 - was just about to embark upon her first headline tour when I had the chance to get about five minutes of phone time with her.

 

“…I feel like I’ve just been given the best Christmas present of my entire life,” she said that day - July 10, 2009. 

 

I was among a handful of journalists being afforded the conference call interview. As lifestyles editor for the Exponent Telegram, I was previewing the 52-city “Fearless” tour, coinciding with Swift's second studio album – which incidentally was the top selling album in the U.S. with 287,000 copies sold. The tour featured opening acts Kellie Pickler and Gloriana and was stopping at the Charleston Civic Center. 

 

The area was pumped; so was Swift. She said she had been dreaming of a headline tour while opening for some of "the coolest entertainers out there," like Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Rascal Flatts, 

 

“..While watching their shows, I was taking mental notes about how the stage was configured – what things I wanted to emulate and what I’d do differently if the time came to put a headline tour together - if I became lucky enough to be in that situation – and have my name on the ticket.”

 

Swift talked with us that day about how she wrote poetry – and even a book – before a computer repairman taught her to play three chords on her guitar. She eventually switched her efforts to songwriting and was playing coffee houses by age 13.

 

For her, writing music and playing it was more about emotion and feeling than notes on a page. 

 

“I’m able to form song structure by playing chords – simple progressions – and forming something in my head,” she said. “When you’re sitting around trying to read music and trying to write charts and stuff, then it becomes more like a math equation to me.”

 

But penning a song – signature Taylor – based on her own life experiences, was definitely a thrill.

 

“There’s just a crazy sense of excitement when it says ‘Written by Taylor Swift,’” she said.

 

Swift also chatted about how she was homeschooled for two years before attending public high school her junior and senior years.

 

“That inspired so many songs and life lessons and experiences that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t gone to high school,” she said, “like having no idea where English class was and not wanting to ask - or hoping you get to go to the senior dance.”

 

As had been included in promotions for the 2009 tour, “Fearless” featured lots of costume changes and fairytale theatrics. Swift sure delivered. Including tunes like “Love Story,” “White Horse” and “Fifteen,” it was an amazing show. My little boy – age 9 at the time and sure he would grow up to marry the pretty vocalist – left the concert with a guitar pick she threw right in his direction.

 

As for the direction she saw then with regard to her career …

 

“It’s about finding something you love and when you go down the path of making that a career, time will fly,” said 19-year-old Swift on July 10, 2009. “I’m thankful for every day I get to sing. Hopefully, I’ll be doing this for a while.” 

 

Editor's Note: Top two pictures are promo photos. I took the bottom two photos at the 2009 "Fearless" concert in Charleston. 

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter!

 

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