Reni Taylor is 16, lives in Stratham, is a student at Great Bay eLearning Charter School and is a national country music award-winning vocalist. In March she won Entertainer of the Year, 2009, North American Country Music Association International, World Competition, traditional country, in the 13 to 16 category, which had about 100 contestants. None too shabby.
"It was great," Reni says, in her girlish voice. "Really exciting."
At 16, getting in front of an audience is nothing new. For that matter neither is winning awards. Taylor's used to performing. She started acting about age 8, and singing at 10. Today she accompanies herself on guitar, but also plays fiddle and piano. Her young singing career — her true love — has covered a broad range. Taylor's done the elementary school talent show, opened for a Fisher Cats' game, and performed an hour-long solo at The Stratham Fair a number of times, in addition to numerous other fairs. After her recent NACMA award, she was invited to perform at legendary, Legends Corner, in Nashville, Tenn.
A year ago she formed The Reni Taylor band. Today it's comprised of Billy Crosbie, drums, Tammy Marshall Munro, guitar and bass — both older musicians she notes.
They usually play jams with the New England Country Music Organization, (NECMO), and the fair circuit.
She's already lined up a gig at this summers Cheshire Fair and is looking to book more. "I'm planning to do a lot this summer, mostly fairs," she says. "You wouldn't really think it but they're a popular way to be discovered. There's more listeners at fairs. They may walk by but they're listening and others stop. ...; Yes, it's good for country (musicians)."
In addition to attending tenth grade, Taylor rehearses an average of twice a week, practices guitar daily and writes most nights. "Because night inspires me. It's peaceful," she explains.
This summer she'll plan out her new CD, with hopes of hitting the studio in the fall to record her first full-length.
The country pop recording will likely reflect her live work, she says, a mix of her originals, covers, and possibly a few from those being penned for her by former RT band member LJ Delta. "And the new guitarist (Munro) has poetry we're likely going to put to music. ...; And that may show up."
To get to her latest showdown at the NACMA Taylor had to take top honors at the Northeast Invitational Country Showdown, Entertainer of the Year, 08-09. She's also landed Entertainer of the Year at the NECMO this year, the same slot at the Future Star of Tomorrow, North American Country Music Association Interna tional, in '07, and at the World Competition and New Hampshire Country Music Association in '06/07.
"She's totally driven," says Susan Taylor, Reni's mom. Susan remembers only one time in her daughter's career when Taylor balked at doing a scheduled gig; it simply wasn't something she wanted to do. Mom made her follow through. It was a commitment after all. But since, when opportunity comes knocking, there's a conversation before agreeing to a gig, to make sure Taylor is actually interested. "So that's the one and only time that happened," says Susan Taylor. These days Susan has to hold Reni back. "Because if she could perform all the time, and have a tutor, or be home schooled, she would do that. She would definitely do that. She's really driven. Singing is — well — she belongs on stage and she knows it."
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