Thirty two year old Shane Michael Taylor is a talented artist and songwriter from Waterbury, Connecticut- but he is not your typical country music artist. Shane has had to overcome many challenges and obstacles in his life. During his birth, his mother had complications and as a result, Shane was born with Cerebral Palsy. He is bound to a wheelchair and he struggles with communication, but through his music he is able to relate and converse with others. He believes that “country music has a way of connecting people at a different level than most other kinds of music. It provides an alternate source of entertainment that’s more positive and uplifting.”
Shane has not let his differing abilities hold him back from pursuing his dream of being a country music artist. At first, he thought that being an artist was not even possible. With the support and encouragement from his friend and mentor, Lorna Flowers, who told him that “singing vocals is not what makes you an artist- it goes much deeper than that,” he decided to take a chance on his dream and pursue a music career full time. Shane’s choice was not supported by others in the business and he was told it would be much more difficult because of his challenges. He still did not let that stop him. “Rejection in the music business is completely normal for everyone. When I realized that my disabilities leveled my professional playing field by pursuing a career in music, I saw it as a good thing.”
Shane remembers the exact moment he found his desire for country music. It was when he was twelve years old riding a horse on a farm in Connecticut. While there, he heard the Garth Brooks song, co-written with Jenny Yates, ‘Standing Outside the Fire.’ The song touched him so deeply. He knew then that music would be his passion. “Neither of them know how much their song impacted me and changed the course of my entire future. I think that fact, knowing that one song can have such a deep impact on the life of a total stranger is what inspires and fascinates me the most.” This proves how powerful an effect music has for those who can relate to the story it tells; and who knows, maybe word will get back to Garth Brooks and Jenny Yates, letting them know how their song changed the course of Shane’s life forever.
In the morning, Shane spends ten minutes to “wake the writer” in him. He may jot down an idea or a thought, or maybe a couple of lyrics which, in the future, may become a song. He is inspired by songs that touch him personally. Writing the melodies for the songs is more difficult for Shane. He does hear the melodies in his head through the rhythm of the lyrics, but because he does not sing or play an instrument, they get trapped there. Shane likes being a songwriter because he is just like every other songwriter in the business, pitching their songs to artists. They are all hoping one of their songs will be chosen to be cut for someone’s album. Having a disability is irrelevant and to Shane, “that’s a very powerful thing.”
Not only is Shane a talented songwriter, but he is an author and a motivational speaker as well. He appears at live speaking events where he tells his story to the audience. Shane’s book, Living This Rodeo: A Journey from Fantasy to Reality, is the complete story of how his struggles and triumphs, have led him to be who he is today. The theme of Shane’s motivational speaking and book has translated into the thirteen songs on his debut album, ‘I Will Stand.’ All of the tracks were co-written by Shane. Like most artists, it is difficult for him to choose just one favorite song from the album. There is, however, one song Shane says, sums him up as a person- ‘Warrior Cowboy.’ “It’s about standing up for what we believe in, regardless of what others may do or say to hurt you or try to bring us down. The hook of the song is, the spirit cannot be destroyed, in a ‘Warrior Cowboy.’ Even when we’ve been knocked down, the individuals that we were born to be will never, ever be destroyed.” Shane appears in the video for ‘Warrior Cowboy’ and plays an insightful part. Watch the video here. It will give you a window into what makes up Shane Michael Taylor.
Faith has always been a big part of Shane’s life and he sees his life as a true gift. His mother passed away suddenly when he was twenty three and just recently his friend and mentor, Lorna Flowers, also passed suddenly. Through the sadness of the losses Shane has learned that “our time here is precious and that we shouldn’t put anything off. If you want to do something, do it now. Later is never guaranteed.” God has saved his life more than once and he is very grateful and humbled to get to live and have a life in country music. To Shane, “music allows us to share vulnerable and intimate moments with each other in a very pure and comfortable way and as an artist, I get to make that happen.”
New England Country Music would like to thank Shane for taking the time to share with us the ups and downs along his journey of becoming a country music artist and songwriter.
You can purchase ‘I Will Stand‘ here.
Make sure you follow Shane on his website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Artist interview completed by Lorraine Frigoletto, contributing writer for New England Country Music. You can follow me on Twitter.