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Taylor Swift Gets Heavy Metal Surprise Before Nashville Show

Jill Johnson, jpistudios.com

While most of the surprise moments associated with Taylor Swift's two-night stand in Nashville this past weekend happened onstage for the throngs of screaming fans, a few took place backstage before her Saturday night performance and were a shock to the singer herself.

As local media and other industry professionals mingled in the VIP lounge, which was decorated with a few of the celebratory plaques the young singer-songwriter has earned thus far for sales of her singles and albums, Lon Helton, with radio-trade publication Country Aircheck, took the stage to make the first presentation of the night to Taylor.

Noting that there are usually about 30 No. 1 songs per year on the Country Aircheck chart, Helton said that what makes the songs of Taylor's (in particular 'Mean' and 'Back to December,' for which the awards were presented) especially rare is that of the last 100 No. 1 songs, only four others besides Taylor's were written by just one person.

Next up, the head of the Big Machine Label Group, Scott Borchetta took the stage to say, "We do have something else to celebrate this evening. As of this week, 'Speak Now' has sold five million copies worldwide." As the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, Taylor's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Taking the mic, Taylor said, "Wow! I did not know about that. That's so many. This is so amazing to have you guys here. I'm looking out and seeing a sea of faces who are absolutely the pulse of Nashville. You've all been so nice to me over the years, and you're all part of the reason I get to stand on that giant stage out there and play two sold-out shows.

"To get an award, this five-million plaque for this album that meant so much to me and still does," Taylor continued. "I'm so proud of it. The fact that it went out into the world and sold five million copies is kind of unreal. I can't really wrap my mind around it yet. That's so many!"

Just as quickly as she took that small stage, Taylor was whisked away to prepare for the "giant stage." Coincidentally, as of Saturday, Taylor's Speak Now world tour has sold one million tickets. The trek continues until Nov. 22. Click here to keep track of Taylor's upcoming shows.

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lorrainetalsma

What a wonnderful gal. So sweet and so entertaining.and most of all so down to earth. I'm 85 and I love her. she is a doll.

September 22 2011 at 9:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dale and Gail

She reminds me of a (very, very...did I say very nice) Faith Hill, but a whole lot nicer:)

September 22 2011 at 1:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
awesomeaddie7

i do not care what other people say i love taylor! she is very inspiring! her songs each tell a story! keep singing tayor!

September 20 2011 at 5:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ghbootman3

im proud of her!! she really is a class act and asset to the country music community! So what if shes not the best singer in Nashville!!!! Shes a dang good singer and has everything else going for her! Im a 45 year old macho man and not afraid to admit that!!! haha

September 20 2011 at 5:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
zblacktt

Where's the Heavy Metal? Came here looking for some good tasting music.

September 20 2011 at 4:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to zblacktt's comment
tommygirl

I was wondering the same thing. I';m thinking some group or some one came up on stage with her, but nope, so, what is the heavy metal? Platinum what a really misleading headline.

September 22 2011 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bofalaska

I am blown away by the pure nastiness of lumpen proletarians like 'pmkeepsakes' and his droll ilk. Taylor doesn't have a rich record producer daddy, she does have a stockbroker one and was fortunate enough to have a nice place in the country to grow up in, both in Penn. and Tenn. She wrote an unpublished novel at 12, was writing songs under contract at 16, and some of her hits were penned as young as 14. If one actually listens to the creative arc of her albums, not just the quick hits that were seized on by millions by the way, one sees the growth of an amazing intellect that refuses to let go of the basic goodness and caring that make a girl/woman great, and are the glue that hold humans together in spite of the trolls and nasties under the bridges. (see Mr. Pmkeepsakes) Kanye West is a fart in the wind, and had nothing whatsoever to do with her success except in the minds of thugs and idiots. Taylor continues to lead a world-wide following of the best and brightest girls and young women, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and grandparents. They can trust her character, and rely on her incredibly good nature. She speaks, now and for a very long time, while the 'means' are lost in the dust of history. Taylor isn't just country genre, she's far more universal, and her appeal goes to the arctic ocean and the deserts of Australia. Live with it, and live long, Taylor.

September 20 2011 at 3:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shelly Crawford

I love Nashville(Hendersonville),I am a retired US Army soldier,living on my Army penion,I would love to go back to Hendersonville ( my wife`s Hometown ) but I guess I will stay here in Fla, AS I am Crippled andcant afford to move but I will enjoy Nashville on my TV as I can.

Sfc Shelly Crawford
scraw0672@aol.com

September 20 2011 at 2:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Shelly Crawford's comment
tommygirl

I'm sorry, I may not be the smartest person on this site, heck I know I'm not the smartest one in my family. Yet, most things I read I can understand. Yet, I really hate to say this, I don't see where your comment fits into this subject. If someone would care to explain it to me I'd be grateful. Thanks a bunch.

September 22 2011 at 8:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alar Truve

Taylor is such a wonderful/talented young lady. Her concerts are truly amazing!
And come on. Stop it with the rich daddy stories. Its getting so old. So when you are rich you, everything must be done for you, and you can`t be talented? Moronic logic.
Facts:Taylor Swift is a great songwriter (gets her fan-base) and has incredible charisma. That is why she is loved. No other mystery here.

September 20 2011 at 2:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara

I'm sorry but this gal isn't country and I wish she would just stay with her teenie boppers. She's a grown woman but hangs with kids..lol but then the kids don't know music or if someone is on or off key, they just like the screaming and jumping around..She is so out of place on the Country stage...

September 20 2011 at 2:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kimball

Hmmm... "Heavy Metal" surprise? oh right, platinum... that was a stretch. Here I thought it was something like, the time we were on tour and Avril Lavigne was occupying our dressing room at the HOB in Chicago... like that in reverse.

September 20 2011 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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