There are moments, Taylor Nation.
In the history of this long-distance relationship that we have with the Blonde With The Sparkly Guitar, we always have these moments that seem to be epic beyond measure. Nowadays, they don’t seem to come often but when they do they blow us away. Taylor Swift was attending the 50th Annual ACM Awards to receive a Milestone Award for Youngest ACM Entertainer of the Year.
What we didn’t expect it was that it would come from the person who has basically being her eternal coach, assistant manager, partner in crime, unwavering supporter and her first and best fan: her own mother, Andrea Swift.
Thank you. I’ve watched this milestone artist from the time she was a tangled hair little girl growing up on our farm, full of imagination and creativity, until right now as she prepares for her next world tour. And ever since then her favorite thing is write a song, tell a story, play a guitar or piano and I’ve seen those things carry her through every emotion, every experience in her life, good or bad.
Every once in a while her dad, brother and I find ourselves to be the subjects of those songs. Sometimes we are merely the inspiration. Like the time she was 17 years old and her dad and I strongly disapproved of a certain young man and rightfully so. But she was mad, she was real mad, and she went to her room and she closed the door and she came out about an hour later with a song called Love Story.
For many years, I was her constant companion and I witnessed a young girl with very few friends, become a young girl with many. Learning to stand up for herself and the things she believes in. Being brave enough to explore her musical curiosity, having a voice against those who hate and giving of herself to those in need. And like many out there tonight with children of your own, I am a very proud mom.
So I’d like to thank the ACMs for honoring her in this way but I’d also like to thank the entire music community for taking such good care of her.
And to the fans, I know, I know you love her as I love her and for that I thank you eternally. And so, it’s my pleasure, my pride and my joy, to introduce my daughter, Taylor Swift.
– Andrea Swift
Taylor’s acceptance speech was as usual, thoughtful and graceful.
Good evening, Dallas, Texas.
Somebody once told me that you truly see who a person is when you tell them something they don’t wanna hear. You truly see who a person is when you give them news they weren’t expecting. And so, to the Country Music community when I told you that I’d made a pop album and I wanted to explore other genres, you showed me who you are with the grace that you accepted that with. I’ll never forget it.
I’m so happy, so happy that I learned to write songs in a town like Nashville. I’m so grateful that I learned what hard work is from my heroes who are all sitting here, and I’m so unbelievably proud that I learned to treat people with kindness and respect from Country Music. I love you so much.
And to the fans, I will see you. I’ll see you right here in this exact stadium in a few months on the 1989 World Tour. See you soon. I love you.
– Taylor Swift
And after being floored by Andrea and Taylor, I’m utterly without words. Andrea, you have my respects. Taylor, you have my support. That’s all I have. Now stop reading and go give your mom a hug.
Coming up on the Calendar:
- April 25: Taylor Swift is nominated for Best Female Artist, Song of the Year for “Shake It Off”, Most Talked About Artist and Best Song To Dance To for “Shake It Off” for the 2015 Music Radio Disney Music Awards. The show happens at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California.
- April 25: Caitlin Evanson performs at Lestat’s West as part of the Adams Ave Unplugged event.
- April 26: The 2015 Music Radio Disney Music Awards air a 90-minute set on the Disney Channel at 8pm ET/PT.
- April 30: Grant Mickelson‘s Birthday.
(Sources: 50th Annual ACM Awards)
The Swift Agency 