Coming off a milestone year that included signing her first record deal with Red Street Records and releasing a string of standout tracks, Taylor Austin Dye is now gearing up for a headlining tour and celebrating a new wave of releases, including her single, “Man For That.” The country-rock driven track that showcases her bold spirit and independence officially impacts airwaves as her country radio debut today, March 30.
The Kentucky native has spent nearly a decade grinding in Nashville, building her sound and creating a community of loyal listeners which she cleverly calls the “Ride or Dyes.” She is now bringing her confidence-fueled anthem beyond her core fanbase, while making it clear that she doesn’t need a man to get through life. At the same time, the song adds a bit of fun, flirty energy when the songstress states that she would be open to finding someone who can offer her genuine affection, connection, and romance.
Despite being the only musically inclined member of her family, the “Rest in Peace” singer always knew that it was her passion. She began showing a genuine interest in singing and playing an instrument at a very young age and that eventually blossomed into something that took over her entire life. Her days of performing began at just six years old and consisted of her singing, playing an instrument and even clogging.
Dye carried that love for music all the way to Nashville, where she cut her teeth with gigs across the city’s downtown area. Around the same time she started posting on social media, organically growing a listenership and creating genuine connections through her music. Now, as the first female country act signed to Red Street Records, she is ready to build even more momentum.
Keep reading to learn more about Taylor Austin Dye as she opens up about the journey that got her here, the stories behind her music, what’s still ahead.
Growing up in Kentucky, what did music look like around the house? How has that upbringing shaped who you are as an artist today?
Funny story, none of my family are actually musical at all. I was kind of the black sheep in that way. But when I was around, I don’t know, four or five, I started showing some real interest in singing and I wanted to start playing an instrument. And so my mom signed me up for lessons and I got lessons from this guy named Mr. Wilson, and he taught me to play by ear. And he was my music teacher. I started out playing fiddle and then mandolin, and then I picked up the guitar, and he was my teacher for the better part of 10 years and wonderful guy. Then I started playing fairs, festivals, any bar that would let me play, even though I wasn’t 21, they just put the X’s on my hands. And yeah, that was my whole life, was just playing music.
Were you always drawn to country music specifically?
I was. And I’m really heavily rock influenced when you hear my music, but I’m always saying that I can’t escape country music because when you hear me talk, there’s no way around that.
What was your first performance like? Do you remember that moment and what you were feeling as you stepped before a crowd?
I grew up singing church and everything, but I think the standalone performance that I can remember that was one of the big ones, I was probably six, I guess. And I was on this thing called Young Country at Renfro Valley. And Renfro Valley is a big music venue. Still exists today. I played there many times and I would play, clog and sing on stage. And I think the room held about 1500 people, so that was probably my earliest onstage memory. I would play the fiddle, then I’d take a break and I’d sing, and then I’d start clogging.
When you made the leap and moved to Nashville what was that transition like for you initially?
Well, I moved down here because I got a standing gig at Margaritaville, and I always knew I wanted to come to Nashville. It wasn’t a yes or no, it was just when it was going to happen. So when I secured that gig, I was so happy and moved down here and I played Broadway for years. That was my only job. And then COVID hit, and of course I lost all that because the bar shut down. And that’s when I kind of took to TikTok and the social media game and started posting all my original stuff on there. And it kind of blew up. And I got a huge organic, truly grassroots following on social media from that time.
Your fanbase is cleverly called the “Ride or Dyes.” What has it been like having them in your corner through this entire journey?
Oh my gosh. I mean, it’s insane because the people that have been there, I used to do TikTok live twice a week during that time of COVID and everything. And those same people that would be on my lives every night and just chat and hang out, they show up at my shows and now there are people that are new Ride or Dye’rs that are coming and they’re all becoming best friends. They travel together, they come sing me together. It’s just been an amazing community and it’s just an indescribable feeling just to look out and see all these people. And then they add a new person to their group and it’s just ever expanding.
How has been having this team of Red Street Records behind you as well?
They are the best people. Obviously, I’ve been in town a long time. I took a lot of meetings. I’ve met with a lot of labels. And when I met with Red Street, it truly felt like they cared about me and cared about my vision. I’m still in complete creative control, which I’m so thankful for. And they’re so good. I’ve been independent up until this last year. And so this has been just having that extra juice, that little extra umph behind it is so great. And now that we’re taking my song, my new single “Man For That” to radio, it’s just been incredible. Everyone’s just working so hard. And I’m the first female artist that they have signed on the country front of Red Street. So they are all in and I love them for it.
Why was “Man For That” the right song to really kickstart your next chapter on coutry radio?
Well, it’s funny because when we went into production for this song, I said, well, I just got a new car, well, an old car, but new to me, and it was a convertible and it only plays CDs. So on my way to this write, I was listening to the Shania Twain CD and I went in and I was like, “I want this to be like Shania Twain, but also Nickelback with the drums and guitar riffs”. And I feel like we really hit the nail on the head when we went into production for that because that’s truly what it is. And it’s so me because I have this influence of rock and country and I just feel like this really captures who I am as an artist. And also the sassiness, the femininity of it is really cool as well. So I think this is a perfect introduction for me into radio.
You’ve crossed off a lot of other really great goals in the past few years. How does it feel to see everything happening?
Well, yeah, there’s been a lot of behind the scenes and now it’s just kind of all coming to fruition of all the years of work and everything. But no, there’s something new that has not sunk in every day. I’m just like, I cannot believe I get to live this life and do what I love and actually make a living out of it. And I’m so thankful. I know a lot of people don’t get to say that, but no, it’s really not sunk in any of it…Every day I wake up, I’m like, wow, this is crazy. Every time I get a new opportunity or a new venue to play or anything, I’m just like, this is crazy.
Can you share anything about what else you are working on?
Man, I’ve been writing so much over the past year and just really finding my artistry and finding the songs and the lyrics that represent me. And we’ve got so many good songs that are in the chamber and ready to go. So after “Man For That,” you can expect…We got some releases coming up, I’ll tell you that.
What are some of the themes that you’re going to be leaning into this year?
Well, if you know me, if you’ve been to one of my shows, you know I’m all about the high energy. I love a good banger. So it’s a lot of really fun stuff to play live. It’s heavy, it’s good. And then I have some deeper, more personal stuff that’s going to be coming out too. So I think it’s a good mix of both.
Speaking of live shows, you’ve got some headline dates coming up here in the spring. What are you most looking forward to about these shows?
Yeah, we just announced The Damn Good Day Tour and we leave out, I think on 4:20 is our first date. And we’re going to be Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan. We’re just really- Everywhere. So yeah, I’m so excited. That’s my favorite part of this job is being on the road and actually getting to put a face to all the names that I see online and getting to connect with everybody. It’s my favorite thing ever.
What can fans expect? What will be new this year in your live shows?
We just completely rebuilt our show. It’s a totally new show. If you’ve seen it before, this is totally new. And we’ve got four brand new songs that have not been released or even posted on social media that’s going in the set. But my favorite part of the show is we do this 10-minute medley of, let’s see, it starts with Renegade by Sticks, and then it goes to She’s Country by Jason ALD, then a Joe Walsh song, then ACDC. And then I invite a fan up on stage to shotgun a beer with me…And that’s definitely my favorite moment in the show, just getting somebody up there and they’re excited. I’m excited and chugging a beer. No one has more fun than me in My shows. I guarantee that.
Fans can keep up with Taylor Austin Dye on Instagram.
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