Biography
Born on 31 July 1950 in Texas, Taylor completed business studies at Tarleton State University before taking positions across commerce, agriculture and industry. Rodeo claimed much of his attention until an injury ended his riding days. During the same period he mastered guitar on his own and performed original songs in bars during off-hours. He continued forming bands that kept him connected to music, and his growing affinity for the unvarnished, rural roots of the genre—later known as outlaw music—prompted him to create his own festival. Fellow musicians such as Gary P. Nunn, with whom he co-wrote material, had long valued his singing and songwriting, yet wider audiences remained unmoved. His inaugural event in Mingus in 1989 drew fewer than one hundred people. Taylor refused to abandon the project, and attendance quadrupled the next year. Steady growth followed, fueled by personal recommendations and endorsements from other performers. The site eventually shifted and stabilized in Meridian in 1998, by which time the gathering and its influence on the Lone Star sound had become central to Texas country music. Its informal character is reflected in the name Texas Music Festival & Chili Cookoff. Ray Wylie Hubbard and Rusty Wier both played there and have credited Taylor and the event with reviving their careers, while Charlie Robison and Pat Green received early boosts from appearances that helped launch their trajectories. Taylor still performs and releases occasional recordings; although his vocal style remains unpolished, its authenticity mirrors the straightforward honesty of his character.
Albums
