Taylor Fugitt: Finding Her Voice Through Honesty, Heart, and a Tailgate Conversation

Taylor Fugitt’s journey into music feels like it was written in the stars, but it’s also deeply rooted in family, small-town life, and personal resilience. Growing up in Great Bend, Kansas, she was surrounded by music from an early age. Her father, a singer-songwriter, performed throughout the local and Texas country scene, giving her a front-row seat to the life of a musician.

“I always liked singing,” Taylor recalls. “I remember in fourth or fifth grade listening to a song and being able to go to a different world in the lyrics. I fell in love with that kind of songwriting. I loved books, too, so I guess storytelling was always a part of me.” She began writing songs on the playground during recess, a habit that never stopped. While she didn’t start performing until joining her high school choir. By her freshman year of college she was sharing music on social media. It was during this time, facing separation from her family and recovering from a traumatic assault, that she realized writing her own songs gave her a voice. “I started writing in my dorm room to be honest with myself,” she explains. “It was a way to process and feel safe in my own skin. She began writing more, going to the studio, and booking shows leading up to her first single, “Count on the Whiskey”. 

Her influences read like a mix of Texas country legends and contemporary icons. “Randy Travis, Clay Walker, and Gary Allen. Those shaped me, and like most young girls, I loved Taylor Swift,” she says. Taylor’s upbringing, surrounded by rodeo parents and farmers, also left a lasting imprint on her music. “The town had as much influence as the lifestyle I grew up in,” she says. “It helped me appreciate music even more.”

Tailgate Conversations: Honest Storytelling

Photo by L.E. Ferrel with VCM Photography.

Taylor’s latest album, Tailgate Conversations, reflects the raw honesty that has become her signature. The concept came from a simple, yet profound, moment. “I was talking to a friend on the tailgate of his truck,” she says. “It was a judge-free zone, a place to be broken without it being a bad thing. I wanted the album to capture that honesty, that self-reflection.”

Her songwriting process is fluid. Sometimes a melody gets stuck in her head and other times, an experience sparks a story. “An epiphany moment comes first, and then I pull context around it,” she explains. One song that challenged her emotionally was “Good Enough,” about recognizing when a relationship isn’t working and finding the courage to leave. “Sitting in that truth made it hard,” she admits, “but it was necessary to be vulnerable.”

When recording, Taylor layers each part individually, a contrast to the energy she feels performing live with her band. Yet she values those moments with her musicians above all. “I love the crowd interactions, but my band is what makes it really worth it,” she says. “They’ve become family. They even came to my wedding.”

Photo by Josh Roesener Photography.

Taylor’s music tends to lean toward vulnerability, which she says makes writing upbeat songs more challenging. “Cotton Candy Skies,” for example, was born at 2 a.m. as a way to process a miscarriage. Her honesty resonates with listeners, often more than the joyous moments in life.

Connection, Courage, and Humor

Live shows are where Taylor’s connection with fans shines brightest. She recalls one little girl gifting her a friendship bracelet, a gesture that left Taylor deeply touched. “It’s humbling to know that someone sees you as worth that,” she says. Her approach to setlists balances familiar favorites with new material, ensuring audiences get a mix of comfort and discovery.

Even outside of shows, Taylor’s life in the public eye comes with unexpected moments, such as dealing with online trolls. “I’ve had a guy who absolutely hates me for cursing in a few of my songs,” she laughs. “I’ve never met him, but he’s always trolling me online. Call it my potty-mouth profanity.” Instead of letting it bother her, Taylor takes it in stride, even calling out this troll on posts as part of an inside joke.

Navigating the music business has its lessons. “Not every road is meant for you,” Taylor says. “The right opportunities and people will gravitate toward you. If something isn’t meant for you, it’s okay. Focus on what aligns with you.” Juggling a day job, motherhood, and a music career is challenging, but she remains committed. “Finding the time to perform has to be worth it because of what I give up at home,” she admits.

She draws inspiration from artists like Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift, particularly for their honest storytelling and production depth. Despite the ever-changing music industry, Taylor stays grounded by focusing on what resonates with her, not the immediate social media feedback.

Looking Forward

If Taylor weren’t making music, she’d still be in a creative field like photography, film, or anything that allows her to tell stories and create worlds. For now, she’s focused on her evolving sound, which she describes as moving toward “y’all-ternative,” blending her traditional country roots with rock influences from her bandmates. She has an EP in the works and is writing a self-produced album.

“I hope listeners walk away feeling comfortable being themselves,” she says. “Embracing who you are and owning it. That’s enough. The right people and opportunities will find you when you do.”

Photo by Josh Roesener Photography.

With a blend of honesty, heart, and authenticity, Taylor Fugitt is carving her own path. One song, one show, and one tailgate conversation at a time.

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