Music
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Alabama-born Taura Byrd has been heavily influenced by rock and country music and on this debut EP recorded in Nashville with such skilled sessioneers as Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin), Mike Rojas (keyboards), Wayne Killius (drums), Dow Tomlin (bass), Pat McGrath (guitars) and Kelly Black (lead guitar), the pull between those two musical styles is pretty obvious. A regular at the famed Tootsies Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville, she has come up with five songs full of the kind of southern attitude that made Travis Tritt one of country’s biggest names of the 1990s.
From the dynamic Burning Bridges to the heartfelt balladry of Didn’t I, this young woman shows us genuine vocal chops and a no-prisoner lyrical attack that belies her slight, petite frame. Too gutsy and ballsy for the country mainstream, here’s a southern gal who could—and should—appeal to the Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wynonna and Hank Jr fans rather than those who slaver over Faith, LeAnn or Martina. AdC
- Maverick Magazine
Alabama-born Taura Byrd has been heavily influenced by rock and country music and on this debut EP recorded in Nashville with such skilled sessioneers as Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin), Mike Rojas (keyboards), Wayne Killius (drums), Dow Tomlin (bass), Pat McGrath (guitars) and Kelly Black (lead guitar), the pull between those two musical styles is pretty obvious. A regular at the famed Tootsies Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville, she has come up with five songs full of the kind of southern attitude that made Travis Tritt one of country’s biggest names of the 1990s.
From the dynamic Burning Bridges to the heartfelt balladry of Didn’t I, this young woman shows us genuine vocal chops and a no-prisoner lyrical attack that belies her slight, petite frame. Too gutsy and ballsy for the country mainstream, here’s a southern gal who could—and should—appeal to the Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wynonna and Hank Jr fans rather than those who slaver over Faith, LeAnn or Martina. AdC
- Maverick Magazine
Discography
Taura Byrd: 5 song EP released March 2007
Photos
Bio
Taura Byrd exemplifies the crossroads of country music and rock and roll. Born in Talladega, Alabama to a father that played drums and sang in rock bands and a mother that cranked up country music records and sang along, it was inevitable that both would become influences on her. Both parents were passionate about music. Her father influenced by rock legends like The Beatles and her mother true to country super stars like Reba and Alabama, Taura was always surrounded by music. Initially following more into her father's footsteps, she rocked out to Pat Benatar and Heart. All the while, Mom still cranking The Judds, Reba and Dolly in the background. It wasn't until the early 90's when she heard Travis Tritt that she really started to latch on to country music. "I started to realize that I fell somewhere in the common thread of the genres....maybe you can be a little of both. It's not like I can hide my influences, or this Alabama twang I have." After graduating high school in Anniston, Alabama the dream of being a singer became an overwhelming desire. She put her first band together in 1997 and throughout the coming years tried various bands playing everything from rock, pop, soul and country. She got a guitar for Christmas in 1999 and began writing almost immediately. By this time she had come to love a not so famous (but a Nashville favorite) artist by the name of Patty Griffin. "Patty is probably my biggest influence overall. She makes me strive to be better." Taura played alot of shows over the years, won several talent competitions and gained fans along the way but realized that the next step was making the inevitable move to Nashville. Now, after being in Nashville for a few years and realizing that is where she belongs, she is finally taking steps in the right direction to make her dream come true. Taura switched focus from guitar and began to find more comfort in writing behind the piano in 2003. She spent the last year playing at the "World Famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge" on broadway in downtown Nashville. No matter the setting; from packed out honky tonks, to stripped down acoustic performances in college bars, this singer-songwriter captures a crowd with her powerful vocals and dynamic, soulful country and rock blend. She recently finished recording a 5 song EP at Omni Sound Studios in Nashville, TN. Taura thrives on vocal performance and supports it with songs that are “right on the money” of the direction country music is taking. Taura can currently be seen playing songwriter rounds and weekly shows with her band "two dollar pistol" in Nashville while pursuing management and publishing deals. "I love working with Taura …the sky is the limit for her." "I never really know what her ceiling is…suddenly she'll come off with an entirely new approach to something. As a producer, that's what you live for". Bill Warner Producer, Engineer, Nashville, TN. “Taura Byrd is a talented singer and songwriter. We've had the pleasure of working with some of the best artists in the business and Taura is right there with them. She is destined for big things!” Steve Tveit, Manager, Co-Owner OMNIsound Studios, Nashville, TN
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