http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw9QMSl9Xic

Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American country-pop singer-songwriter. In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", which peaked at number six on the Billboard country charts. Later in October 2006, she released her self-titled debut album, which produced five hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and was certified 3× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The New York Times described Swift as "one of pop's finest songwriters, country’s foremost pragmatist and more in touch with her inner life than most adults".[3]



According to Nielsen SoundScan, Swift was the biggest selling artist of 2008 in America with combined sales of more than four million albums. Swift's Fearless and her self-titled album finished 2008 at number three and number six respectively, with sales of 2.1 and 1.5 million.[4] She was the first artist in the history of Nielsen SoundScan to have two different albums in the Top 10 on the year end album chart.[5] Fearless has topped the Billboard 200 in 11 different weeks.[6] No album has spent more time at number one since 1999-2000. It also the first album by a female artist in country music history to log eight weeks at #1 on The Billboard 200. In mid-January 2009, Swift became the first country artist to top the 2 million mark in paid downloads with three different songs.[7] As of the week ending February 8, 2009, Swift's single "Love Story" became the country song with most paid downloads in history and the first country song to top the Mainstream Top 40 chart.[8][9]



Swift's singing influences include her grandmother and LeAnn Rimes.[15] Although her grandmother was a professional opera singer,[16] Taylor's tastes always ran more toward country and she developed a love for Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton at an early age.[17] She also credits the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain for demonstrating how much impact can be made by "stretching boundaries".[18]



At age eleven, Swift made her first trip to Nashville hoping to obtain a record deal by distributing a demo tape of her singing with karaoke songs. She gave a copy to every label on Music Row.[15] Swift faced rejection, not just from record labels, but also from her peers.[19] After Swift returned to Pennsylvania, she was asked to sing at the U.S. Open tennis tournament; her rendition of the national anthem received a lot of attention.[20]



Swift started writing songs and playing 12-string guitar when she was twelve. Swift began to regularly visit Nashville and wrote songs with local songwriters. By the time she was fourteen, her family decided to move to an outlying Nashville suburb.[21] When Swift was fifteen, she rejected a development deal with RCA Records because the company refused to allow her to record her own songs.[22] Swift then performed at Nashville's songwriters' venue, The Bluebird Café, catching the attention of Scott Borchetta[23] who signed her to his newly-formed record label, Big Machine Records. She also became the youngest staff songwriter ever hired by the Sony/ATV Tree publishing house.[24]

TOP 11 CONTESTANTS



DANNY GOKEY


Danny Gokey auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Danny Gokey sang "I Heard It through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye for his audition. Danny Gokey's wife passed away just four weeks before his audition. All four judges voted yes to send Danny Gokey to Hollywood. Danny Gokey is best friends with Jamar Rogers, who made it into the top 54 contestants before getting cut. Danny Gokey was in the first group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was one of the highest three vote getters, guaranteeing him a spot among the finalists.

Danny Gokey is a Church music teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Danny Gokey is also the president and founder of a non-profit organization. In addition to singing, Danny Gokey plays the piano and loves salsa dancing. Danny Gokey is 28 years old.

ADAM LAMBERT


Adam Lambert auditioned in San Francisco, California. Adam Lambert sang "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen for his audition. All four judges voted yes to send Adam Lambert to Hollywood. Adam Lambert was in the second group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was one of the highest vote getters, guaranteeing him a spot among the finalists.

Adam Lambert is a stage actor who is currently in the cast of "Wicked." Adam Lambert began singing at age 10 and has been involved with musical theater for the past eight years. Adam Lambert grew up in San Diego, California but currently lives in Hollywood. Adam Lambert is 27 years old.

ANOOP DESAI


Anoop Desai auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Anoop Desai sang "Thank You" by Boys II Men for his audition. All four judges voted yes to send Anoop Desai to Hollywood. Anoop Desai was in the first group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was only around 20,000 votes shy of Michael Sarver who had the third highest vote tally. On the wild card show, the judges changed the 'Top 12' to the 'Top 13'  to make room for Anoop Desai.

Anoop Desai is working on his master's degree at the University of North Carolina. During his undergraduate years, Anoop Desai was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group. Anoop Desai is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Anoop Desai is 22 years old.

ALLISON IRAHETA


Allison Iraheta auditioned in San Fancisco, California. Allison Iraheta sang "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin for her audition. The judges voted to put Allison Iraheta through to Hollywood. Allison Iraheta was in the second group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was the female with highest number of votes, guaranteeing her a spot among the finalists.

In 2006, Allison Iraheta competed on "Quinceanera," a Telemundo reality show, and won $50,000 and a recording contract. Allison Iraheta is a junior in high school who began singing at age 5. Allison Iraheta also enjoys playing the guitar.  Allison Iraheta is currently living in Downey, California but is originally from Sherman Oaks, California. Allison Iraheta is 16 years old.

KRIS ALLEN


Kris Allen auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Kris Allen sang "A Song For You" by Leon Russell for his audition. The judges put Kris Allen through to Hollywood. Kris Allen was in the second group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was one of the highest vote getters, guaranteeing him a spot among the finalists.

Kris Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas majoring in business. Kris Allen has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Kris Allen currently lives in Conway, Arkansas but is originally from Jacksonville, Arkansas. Kris Allen is 23 years old.

LIL ROUNDS


Lil Rounds auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Lil Rounds sang "All I Do" by Stevie Wonder for her audition.  All four judges voted yes to send Lil Rounds to Hollywood. Lil Rounds was in the third group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was the highest female vote getter, guaranteeing her a spot among the finalists.

Lil Rounds is a customer service representative. Lil Rounds lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and three children. Music has always been a part of her life, and Lil Rounds began singing when she was 3 years old. Lil Rounds is 24 years old.

MATT GIRAUD


Matt Giraud auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Matt Giraud sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw for his audition. The judges voted to put Matt Giraud through to Hollywood. Matt Giraud was in the second group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and did not receive enough votes to guarantee him a spot among the finalists. On the wild card show though, the judges chose Matt Giraud for one of the remaining spots.

Matt Giraud is a life-long resident of Michigan who graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007. Matt Giraud is a dueling piano player who sings and plays in local clubs and hotels. Matt Giraud currently lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan but is originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Matt Giraud is 23 years old.

ALEXIS GRACE


Alexis Grace auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Alexis Grace sang "Dr. Feelgood" by Aretha Franklin for her audition. All four judges voted yes to send Alexis Grace to Hollywood. Alexis Grace was in the first group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was the female with the highest tally of votes, guaranteeing her a spot among the finalists.

Alexis Grace is a musician from Memphis, Tennessee. Alexis Grace has been singing since she was 7 years old. Alexis Grace was a member of the Concert Choir at the University of Memphis, and enjoys dancing, playing the guitar and taking care of her daughter. Alexis Grace gave birth at 19 years old and is now 21. Alexis Grace is engaged to the father.

MEGAN JOY CORKEY


Megan Corkrey auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah on her birthday. Megan Corkrey sang "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" for her audition. All four judges voted yes to send Megan Joy Corkrey to Hollywood. Megan Corkrey was in the second group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 but did not receive enough votes to secure her a spot among the finalists. On the wild card show though, the judges chose Megan Corkrey for one of the remaining spots.

Megan Joy Corkrey is a font designer with a 2-year-old son named Ryder. Megan Corkrey has been singing since age 3, and is a self-professed "foodie." Megan Joy Corkrey currently lives in Sandy, Utah but is originally from Taylorsville, Utah. Megan Corkrey is 23 years old.

MICHAEL SARVER


Jeremy Michael Sarver auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Jeremy Michael Sarver sang "Thank You" by Boyz II Men for his audition. All four judges voted yes to send Jeremy Michael Sarver to Hollywood. Michael Sarver was in the first group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was one of the highest three vote getters, guaranteeing him a spot among the finalists.

Jeremy Michael Sarver is married with two children and works as a roughneck on an oil rig. Jeremy Michael Sarver has always dreamed of being a singer/songwriter. Jeremy Michael Sarver also plays the piano, drums and guitar. Jeremy Michael Sarver is from Jasper, Texas. Jeremy Michael Sarver is 27 years old.

SCOTT MACINTYRE


Scott MacIntyre auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Scott MacIntyre sang "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel for his audition. All four judges voted yes to send Scott MacIntyre to Hollywood. Scott MacIntyre was in the third group of 12 contestants to perform out of the top 36 and was one of the highest vote getters, guaranteeing him a spot among the finalists.

Scott MacIntyre is almost blind and plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, Scott MacIntyre has been internationally profiled on CNN, Headline News, Sky News Europe, Global Television Network, USA Today, and national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. Scott MacIntyre has independently produced, engineered, and released 6 full-length CD's and has written in genres spanning pop, rock, punk, jazz, and classical.

...a fashion statement...

25 Reasons Why Beer Is Better Than Women:

You can enjoy a beer all month long
Beer stains wash out
You don't have to wine and dine beer
Your beer will always wait patiently for you in the car while you play baseball
When your beer goes flat, you toss it out
Hangovers go away
A beer label comes off without a fight
Beer is never late
Beer doesn't get jealous when you grab another beer
When you go to a bar, you know you can always pick up a beer
Beer never gets a headache
After you've had a beer, the bottle is still worth 5 cents
A beer won't get upset if you come home and have another beer
If you pour a beer right, you'll always get good head
A beer always goes down easy
You can have more than one beer a night and not feel guilty
You can share a beer with your friends
You always know you're the first one to pop a beer
Beer is always wet
Beer doesn't demand equality
You can have a beer in public
A beer doesn't care when you come
A frigid beer is a good beer
You don't have to wash a beer before it tastes good
If you change beers you don't have to pay alimony





   

IF GIVEN THE CHOICE... TO FIND THAT ONE TRUE LOVE OR AN INSTANT 100 MILLION DOLLARS ON HAND??....WOULD YOU RATHER CHOOSE LOVE WHICH YOU ALWAYS NEEDED OR MONEY WHICH YOU ALWAYS WANTED??...

...you can't have both, its a one time chance...