Six Strings and a Dream

"He's always been a dreamer, he's always dreamed a dream, that one day he would make it, to Nashville, Tennessee."

It was the third week in a row that I had attended open mic night at the Bluebird Cafe in support of my friend Jody Miller. After Jody had played, I was standing by the hostess station when this skinny young cowboy with tattooed arms, a Jack Daniels ball cap and the infamous Johnny Cash flipping the bird t-shirt stood by the door with his guitar waiting for his number to be called. He looked a little nervous as he waited for the person before him to finish up their song. He got up to the microphone, introduced himself as Chris Taylor and told the audience that this was an original song titled "Six Strings and a Dream". I waited for the typical open mic performance: a voice that can carry a tune and lyrics that are cliche but original enough that you can appreciate the song.

Then it happened:

Four lines into the song chills ran down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. I was hooked.

You could tell this boy was raised on gospel music. His voice was full of soul and he sounded far beyond his years. Maybe the lyrics hit me so hard because of my own recent move to Nashville but the moment he sang those words "one day he would make it to Nashville, Tennessee" I couldn't help but want to know this kid's story.

How is talent like this still untapped? This was the moment that I knew I was where I belong. You can find someone who is completely undiscovered and their song will be stuck in your head for a week and a half after you only heard it one time. That's not just good music, that's talent my friends.

I introduced myself to Chris, his mom, and his bandmate as they were leaving. I cannot wait to watch him develop as he spends more time in Nashville.

Check him out at www.myspace.com/christaylorfriends.