Wednesday 22 April 2015

The Grammy Museum Taylor Swift Exhibit 2014/2015 UPDATE

I know this is only a short post but it has made me and alot of friends rather excited.

The Grammy Museum in downtown LA have just announced via USA Today that they have decided to extend the opening of the Taylor Swift Exhibit which was due to close on May 10th.

After the popularity of the exhibit caused the museum to have its busiest March period in its 6 year history and the year to date attendance at the museum was up 35% in the first quarter of 2015, It made logical sense to keep the exhibit open for just a little bit longer.

The extended opening of the exhibit means that the museum will be open for almost the entire duration of the US leg of the 1989 tour which currently wraps up in Florida at the end of October. As the 1989 tour comes to California in August 2015 and specifically LA from Aug 21-26 when Taylor performs 5 sold out shows at the Staples Center.

I now have a renewed sense of hope that I may just be able to go and see this very special exhibit.

Taylor's Grammy Museum exhibit is now open for viewing until October 4th 2015.

More info HERE.

Monday 20 April 2015

2015 ACM Awards

As everyone filed into the AT&T or Cowboys Stadium just outside of Dallas Texas today 19th April, for the 50th Academy of Country Music awards, no one would have seen that the most poignant moment of the night was when the artist who is no longer country was presented with her award for being the youngest person to receive Entertainer of the Year at just 21 in 2011.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not quite sure what your doing on my blog. Any way on with the nights events.

Taylor arrived at the 2015 50th ACM Awards in Dallas Texas not long before the show started after slipping in the back entrance and didn't walk the Red Carpet. That didn't stop her from posing for the camera at every opportunity. Taylor had also just flown down to Dallas from New York. She brought her dad Scott as her date for the night. For the first time Taylor was in AT&T Stadium as a guest and not a performer and it must have been a little different for her to be sitting in the audience instead of the one performing.

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

While Taylor might not officially be a country artist yet, her roots are and will remain in Nashville, the heart of country music. The ACM's still put Taylor in the front row of the 'star' section and awarded her one of the biggest if not the biggest award in the ACM awards. The Milestone Award. Not only did Taylor receive this award for being the youngest Entertainer of the Year but also for the popularity she brought into the country music world over the past 9 years.

Taylor produced the usual at awards show with her dancing and just having a great time but when it came to the time for her to receive The Milestone award, it wasn't her all eyes were on. Taylor's mum Andrea who has been her biggest supporter throughout her career was about to come out onto the stage to present Taylor with The Milestone award. This was Andrea's first public appearance since Taylor made it public that her mum was diagnosed with Cancer approx 10 days ago. Andrea was looking well and took to the stage to deliver a very moving speech about her daughter before Taylor came up to also deliver a very moving speech and receive her award. The presentation caught the attention of the whole stadium and was a tearjerker and a very poignant moment for everyone.


"And to the fans, I know you love her as I love her, and for that, I thank you eternally." Andrea spoke of her daughters rise to fame in the country music industry, growing up on the family farm and thanked her daughters fans for the support they have shown to Taylor and the family over the years.
For someone like me who doesn't cry at alot, this is one thing that makes me very emotional.


Other recipients of the ACM Milestone award are listed HERE.

Taylor also shared these two photos on instagram after the show

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on
For full photo, GIF and written coverage of the speech Taylor and Andrea delivered tonight, check out TSwiftNZ on tumblr with the link HERE.

Taylor, congrats on your Milestone award tonight. You truly deserved it and never forget that country music will never forget you and you will always have a home in country music.
All the best for the rest of the 1989 world tour rehearsals and I won't get to see you in Dallas but I might get to visit the stadium in September and I will be thinking of you the whole time.
See you in Sydney, Nov 28th.

Friday 10 April 2015

My Dearest Taylor....

To My Dearest Taylor and her family, Andrea, Scott and Austin.

My heart goes out to you today after your devastating news that was announced today. I don't really know what to say or how to react. What has happened shouldn't have to happen to any family or person anywhere.

I know sharing this news with us was not an easy decision to make and going through something like this is a very personal and private matter. I commend your family for making this decision to tell us at such a traumatic/trying time. I know processing something like this is new and when it happens it's new to all of us. I know you might be finding it hard to cope right now and we are all here for you.

I don't have tumblr so I felt this was the place to send you my heart, love and message of support. I know this is a stressful time for everyone involved and your upcoming world tour just adds an extra level of stress to the situation. I want you to know that I and I'm sure everyone else will understand if you have to postpone a show or two during the tour to be with your mum. Its what we would want to have you by your mum's side when she needs you most.

Taylor, you need to know the world is behind you through the toughest fight of your family's life and our thoughts and prayers are always going to behind you and the family. The outpouring of support for you, your mum and family at this time is phenomenal. Everyone will support all decisions you make even if it does disappoint others. At this time family is the most important thing.

My gran also had a similar diagnosis when I was about 10, I don't overly remember it very well but I'm sure it was a stressful and scary time for everyone. We all have to be strong in times like this.

Things will change, But there’s something in your eyes says we can beat this. Be the strong girl every one knew would make it through the worst.

Your mum is a fighter, an inspiration and very strong woman. She will get through this, you have to have hope, positivity and to remember this is not the end but just a bump in the road of life.

In our time of need we turn to you and your music to lift our spirits, Its now your turn to turn to us for support. Every single one of us is here to lift your spirits now.

Stay Strong Taylor, Andrea, Scott and Austin.
#PrayForMamaSwift

Love Sam

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Billboard Music Award Nominations 2015

Starting this morning on Good Morning America, the 2015 nominees for the Billboard Music Awards which are being held on May 17th in Las Vegas were announced. The remaining nominations were then released in a Twitter press conference and Q&A session.

Taylor leads the way in the 2015 nominations with a total of 14 nominations, closely followed by Sam Smith (13), Iggy Azalea (12) and Meghan Trainor (9). Alot of factors go into determining who is nominated for a Billboard Music Award which include album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social media interactions. The measurements are tracked year round by Billboard and also include Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The nomination period for the 2015 awards is from March 10, 2014 to March 8, 2015.

With the smash release of Taylor's 5th album "1989" right in the middle of the nomination period, its no surprise that she has gained so many nominations in 2015. Taylor's 14 nominations in 13 different categories means she can only receive a total of 13 awards on the night. The nominations received are below.
- Top Artist
- Top Female Artist
- Top Billboard 200 Album "1989"
- Top Hot 100 Song "Shake It Off"
- Top Streaming Artist
- Top Digital Songs Artist
- Top Billboard 200 Artist
- Top Hot 100 Artist
- Top Radio Song Artist
- Top Social Artist
- Top Digital Song "Shake It Off"
- Top Streaming Song (Video) "Shake It Off"
- Top Streaming Song (Video) "Blank Space"
- Billboard Chart Achievement Award presented by Samsung

The Billboard Chart Achievement Award is the only fan voted award of the show and Taylor is nominated in this category alongside Iggy Azalea and Meghan Trainor.
The full list of nominees and more about the awards can be found HERE.

In addition to Taylor being up for all these awards, some of which may be presented/announced in a pre awards event on the day, I expect Taylor will also be presented an award for being Billboard's 2014 Woman of the Year as she was presented in 2012 after receiving the same award in 2011.

It should also be noted that should Taylor be awarded at least 8 Billboard awards on the night, it will make her the most awarded artist in Billboard history. This follows the 8 awards she received in 2013 after the release of RED, 3 awards she received in 2011 and the single award she received in 2012.


I think Taylor's pretty happy about the nominations as her tweet this evening shows. Taylor is busy back in Nashville preparing for the 1989 World Tour which kicks off in Tokyo in under a months time on May 5th.

Good Luck for your nominations Taylor