Taylor-Rae is a country music singer from British Columbia, Canada. Since I began writing my column, I have learned about the immense popularity of country music in Canada, where many top-charting country artists hail from.
Taylor-Rae grew up singing with her dad. They were a "really big karaoke family" with it set up in their basement, where they spent hours entertaining friends and family. When she was 13, her dad asked her if she wanted to "take this seriously," so she started entering singing competitions.
When her potential was being fully realized, her dad advised her to learn the business side of the music industry. So, Taylor-Rae attended college in British Columbia, where she studied Music Business.
She also formed a band and began performing. Since country music was her passion, she found herself traveling to Nashville regularly.
In 2019, Taylor-Rae released her debut album, Backseat Driver, which comprised 10 songs she wrote entirely by herself. Upon moving to Nashville, she began cowriting and recording songs that cover a broad scope of topics and feelings.
In 2024, Taylor-Rae released her EP, Honest, which included the song "If This is Love," earning Taylor-Rae the BCCMA Song of the Year award and also naming her BCCMA Female Artist of the Year.
Another favorite off that EP was "I Can't," which was one of the few outside cuts she has ever recorded.
In 2025, before the release of her EP Heaven Right Now, Taylor-Rae released the singles "Bittersweet," a song about having a clean-cut breakup (don't be sweet about it), and "Drunk Plans," as in don't listen to the plans me and my heart made while being drunk.
The singles have already resonated deeply with fans, setting the stage for a release that feels equal parts grounded and freeing.
The song "Sending Myself to Church" is one of the most entertaining tunes I've heard in a while. She explained, "We were always kind of like a tongue-in-cheek kind of family."
With the words, Your pushin' my buttons/I'm comin' undone and/I'd love to just take the highroad/ But the devil on my shoulder/ Has got me throwing my Hands up/ Good God Almighty/Won't let up/ But I keep trying/ Good lord, I'm sure, Couldn't hurt/Sendin' myself to church, you learn not to take life or yourself so seriously.
However, it is the title track, "Heaven Right Now," that you will want to hear. Co-written with Canadian country icon Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who also lends her voice to the recording — a full-circle moment for Taylor-Rae, who grew up inspired by her music.
When they wrote the song, they thought, "What would it look like to tune out the outside noise and simply build the life you want?"
The lyrics, "I don't want to wait until I'm up there to let it all pour out. I want to write like I'm in Heaven right now," are what many songwriters feel. The song is beautiful and moving.
Taylor-Rae stated of her Heaven Right Now EP, "It's a personality piece, because all of us have these diverse parts of our personality." The EP is serious and fun and, most importantly, heartfelt.
In addition to winning BCCMA Awards for Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, this Year Taylor Rae performed at CMA Fest, Sunfest, Whiskey Jam, Boots and Hearts, and hit over 6 million global streams. At Boots and Hearts, Taylor-Rae also had a standout moment when she performed live for SiriusXM. She also played at The Listening Room in 2024 and the Opry 100 Plaza in June.
I am drawn to female songwriters and often find myself relating to many of their lyrics. However, Taylor-Rae is not only a gifted songwriter, but she was born to sing, equally combining vocal skill and passion that perfectly projects her emotional songs.
With her powerful voice and soulful melodies, Taylor-Rae is quickly carving out her own space as one to watch in the prevalent country music scene.
You can follow Taylor-Rae on her website, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and all streaming services.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
