Taylor Austin Dye Brings Southern Rock Energy to CMA Fest & beyond

Taylor Austin Dye is making waves with her unique blend of Southern rock and country. A Kentucky native, she may have grown up playing bluegrass music, but today describes her sound as "Shania Twain meets Nickelback"—a combination that perfectly captures her unique style.

During CMA Fest, Dye performed on the Close Up Stage in a songwriters' round, sharing stories behind her songs alongside fellow artists. While she loves the connection that songwriter rounds create with fans, she admits full-band shows are her favorite.

"A lot of my songs are high-energy and rocking," she said. "It's fun to get that big energy from the band."

Dye has released two full-length albums, Out of These Hills and Sick of Me, and credits her loyal fanbase, affectionately called the "Ride or Dyes", for helping fuel her success. Fans can also look forward to more music soon, as she's currently working on a larger project expected later this year or early next year.

One of the biggest moments of Dye's career was making her Grand Ole Opry debut after being personally invited by country star Jamey Johnson.

"I thought I was going to have a heart attack," she recalled. "It was honestly the best day of my life."

When it comes to dream collaborations, Dye names Ashley McBryde, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, and Lainey Wilson among the powerhouse female artists she'd love to work with.

With new music on the way and a growing fanbase behind her, Taylor Austin Dye continues to prove she's one of country music's most exciting rising voices.