Taylor Swift Nominated For Multi-Genre Grammy For Best New Artist

Los Angeles, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Big Machine Records) - Taylor Swift got an early birthday present this morning when she received her first-ever Grammy nomination, for the prestigious multi-genre award for Best New Artist. Taylor, who turns 18 one week from today, was on stage at the Grammys press conference at Los Angeles' famed The Music Box at the Fonda this morning when the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins called her name. As soon as her name was called, she spontaneously rushed forward to hug both guys, starting a round of hugging that lasted through the rest of the morning's festivities. Taylor is nominated for Best New Artist along with Feist, Ledisi, Paramore and Amy Winehouse. The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS from the Staples Center L.A. at 8:00 EST/PST on Sunday, February 10th, 2008.

'I decided to go into today knowing that I would have a good day, whether or not I was nominated,' said Taylor. 'I was just really excited to be in the same room with Fergie and Akon, and then I looked around on that stage and it looked like my iPod! Now this has officially been The Best Day Ever! My label just told me this morning that my CD is certified double-platinum and I got a huge nomination I didn't even see coming!'

Just last month Taylor was awarded the prestigious Horizon Award by the members of the Country Music Association and in October was named Songwriter / Artist of the Year by her songwriting peers at the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Earlier this year she won the 2007 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video and she has secured her place in country music history as the genre's first female artist to write or co-write every song on a double platinum-selling debut CD.