Mike Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 NEW YORK (AP) - It's a love story, baby. Taylor Swift sang those words about a young romance, but they apply just as well to America's feelings for the 20-year-old country singer. Swift, adding to the heap of awards already bestowed on her, has been voted The Associated Press entertainer of the year. Swift was chosen by newspaper editors and broadcast producers across the country in a survey of AP members. She follows last year's winner, Tina Fey, and 2007's pick, Stephen Colbert. "I am so honored and so excited," Swift said in an interview by phone with the AP. "This was so unexpected, and I could not be more grateful." Though her second album, "Fearless," came out in late 2008, Swift was ubiquitous in 2009. She found critical acclaim for her autobiographical and infectious songwriting, exemplified in tunes such as "Love Story" and "White Horse." She led a sold-out tour across 52 cities in North America. She won album of the year from the Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards. She hosted "Saturday Night Live" and performed at the Grammys. She won five American Music Awards, including artist of the year. At one point, she had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Swift said that several nights of her year were "golden and shiny and I'll remember forever." Hosting "SNL" was one of those. "That entire week was life-changing, honestly," said Swift. "It makes you feel so thankful to be a part of the music industry, but more than that, to me, 'SNL' is show business." Another live show, the MTV Video Music Awards, was more of a mixed blessing for Swift. She was accepting the award for best female video (the first VMA to be given to a country act) when Kanye West stormed the stage and interrupted her speech. West's stunt set off a media storm that perhaps said as much about Swift's popularity (fans and musicians alike came to her defense) than it did about West's. Among those who voted for Swift for entertainer of the year was Danielle L. Kiracofe, entertainment editor for the Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper. "In a time of 'made' musicians, she writes her own songs and has her own sparkly style," said Kiracofe. "She's managed to do all of this with grace, class and poise - and without uttering a swear word, dancing on a pole or wearing next to nothing. At the age of 20." Ellis Widner, style editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, applauded Swift for superseding generational boundaries. "She defines crossover appeal and would seem to be a strong business model in a declining music business," Widner said. "And to her fans, she's the real deal. On MySpace and in her songs, she wrote what she felt and sang about her experiences." At year's end, Swift's life is in flux. She'll soon move out from home with her family, making this Christmas an emotional one for her. She may well have more trophies to haul in, too: In January, she'll be attending the Grammys, where she's nominated for eight awards. She's already begun to look beyond 2009. "The second that I put out `Fearless,' the moment that album came out and I was done with it, I started writing for my next album," said Swift. "I love to plan 20 steps ahead of myself, and it's really fun competition game that I play with myself, trying to top what I've done last. For this next record, that's all that I've been thinking about, that's all that my mind has been fixated on for the last year, and it's all that I'm going to be thinking about for this next year." Copyright © 2009 AP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 She's overrated and has a terrible singing voice. Over-produced studio magic right there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 She's marketing at its most powerful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 I'm really happy for her and Imma let her finish, but Michael Jackson was the best entertainer of all time. Of all time! (Someone had to say it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenacious_Peaches Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 I don't have much of an opinion of her pro or con, but at least the child writes her own music and plays an instrument, which is more than I can say for half the "musicians" out there. Plus, if I may have a brief responsible motherly moment, at least she doesn't appear to be a nasty skank whore like most of the young females in entertainment. Apparently I have more of an opinion of her than I thought. I do agree with the terrible voice thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluesky Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 I'm really happy for her and Imma let her finish, but Michael Jackson was the best entertainer of all time. Of all time! (Someone had to say it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I don't have much of an opinion of her pro or con, but at least the child writes her own music and plays an instrument, which is more than I can say for half the "musicians" out there. Plus, if I may have a brief responsible motherly moment, at least she doesn't appear to be a nasty skank whore like most of the young females in entertainment. ^wotshesaid - she gets a bad rep because of Miley Cyrus associations but she really CAN sing, and she CAN play guitar and she DOES write her own songs and her father is NOT Billy Ray Cyrus. If someone has to have a killer marketing team, it might as well be her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I'll agree with the exception of "she really can sing". She really can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Well, ok, I'll take your word for it since I've only heard two songs (maybe one?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I think she puts out a good image. I don't think she's a talented musician at all. She has the guitar skill of a 12 year old and a singing voice. I do give her credit for writing her own songs, despite the fact that they're poorly written. But then that's pop music. When has good songwriting and quality musicianship been a constant key component to pop music? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I thought she was pop-country? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 Whatever you want to call it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 But then that's pop music. When has good songwriting and quality musicianship been a constant key component to pop music? Or rock music for that matter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 When has good songwriting and quality musicianship been a constant key component to pop music? I guess since the 1930s, but then again, I don't know my pop music history well enough to know what really constituted as "pop" before the 30s so it might have been earlier than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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