Rooted In Family and Faith
Written by Kim Furches with Taylon Hope Miller and Tara Miller
From the Archives: Summer 2017
Psalms 1:3:
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Taylon Hope is a familiarity in Ashe and surrounding counties. However, more recently, she is becoming a national sensation as an up-and-coming artist in the world of country music. God has endowed Taylon with the beautiful gifts of singing, song composition and a deep compassion for others, but she is quick to proclaim that her best gift from on high is that of her family.
Taylon remembers standing alongside her maternal grandmother, Linda Young, at the piano when Taylon was a mere toddler. “Nana had me on the stool practicing scales. Nana can really sing, but she won’t admit it. She has a true opera voice,” beams Taylon. Linda was gifted with a love for music as well. She was a music student of Mrs. Cornelia Pugh for many years. It was with Mrs. Pugh that Linda received the training to be a part of singing solos in funerals, weddings and most often, in church. Linda has precious memories of her grandmother singing hymns as Linda grew up, her most favorite being, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. Later when Linda became a mother she devoted her time to her family. Much of her singing after motherhood included duets with her daughter Tara, who is Taylon’s mother.
Linda, or better yet Taylon’s Nana, continues to be a source of strength and continuity to Taylon and her parents. Linda shares that she always knew Taylon would have the ability to sing. In fact, it was Nana who actually encouraged the then seven year old Taylon to enter “Singing In The Foothills,” her first singing competition. Taylon won her age division, thus beginning various opportunities to travel and perform. It was also Nana who was instrumental in what is considered Taylon’s big break in the world of country gospel. Nana heard a song entitled, “Country Christian Girl” by Red Roots, a set of red-headed triplets. After meeting the sisters, Taylon was invited to open their show for them. It was there she met a radio personality who introduced her to other music industry professionals. Nana has always been the one who Taylon and Tara have looked to when challenges seemed overwhelming. Tara says that she can hear her mom say, “Keep the path. Move forward, just move forward.” These simple words are often the constant when life’s circumstances seem to be inflicting unrest upon them.
It was quite obvious from a very early age that Taylon was musically gifted. She attempted guitar lessons at age five, but her fingers were just not long enough to ensure her success as a guitarist. On her eighth birthday, Taylon received a guitar and began taking lessons with Steve Lewis. Between her ability to sing and play the guitar, Taylon has soared in a world which she defines as her dream. She began singing at age four in church. It there when she realized her biggest blessing from singing -- being able to witness the audience’s reactions and emotions as she performs her various renditions of hymns. Tara believes that there exists a very precious gift within Taylon’s heart: her love for the elderly. Taylon had read that the last thing a person forgets as one ages is music. She enjoys performing at nursing homes and assisted living homes for this very reason. When she performs a familiar hymn, she can witness, first hand, the joy that the residents experience when a hymn is sang and recognized. It is at that moment that this precious population is reminded of past memories they hold dear.
Linda, Tara, and Taylon all agree that the aspect they love most is the people they have met along the way and hearing their stories and how it all connects. The unexpected success of Taylon has proven time and time again that God is always intervening and blessing the next step. Her new CD entitled Showin’ My Roots features songs that she has co-written with seasoned writers. Tara and Chris, Taylon’s father, have been faithful to pray throughout Taylon’s journey. Thus, Taylon’s writers have been amazing, faith based folks who understand Taylon and her commitment to remain Christ-like wherever the journey may lead.
With Taylon’s recognized success in music, one might conclude that it is her only involvement. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. She is a straight A student at Westwood Elementary School, a member of Miss Kitty’s Fleet Feet Cloggers and a very active member of Midway Baptist Church. These are amazing feats for a gal who is traveling for performances constantly!
Taylon elaborated about her experience meeting the one and only, Dolly Parton. She admires Dolly for many reasons. According to Taylon, Dolly has never forgotten four vital life laws: where she came from, hard work always pays off, giving back to one’s community, and most importantly, being unashamed to speak out about God’s faithfulness in each and every journey. This description might just be a character sketch of Ashe County’s own, Taylon Hope. Thanks for making us proud!
A Mom’s Perspective
Taylon started singing when she was 4 years old and in the next couple of years she began traveling throughout her community and surrounding communities to perform at different churches. It became very clear that Taylon loved it when others would sing along or would express that they enjoyed her songs. Her church and her community has been instrumental to Taylon with her desire to pursue her music. As she began traveling to churches, local festivals and performing at numerous fundraisers, nursing homes and for non-profit organizations, Taylon realized her love for performing and truly enjoyed the outreach that she could provide to people through her music. The more Taylon had the opportunity to travel and perform, the news of her talent began to spread to her performing in other states and in the Nashville, TN area where she now has had the blessing of performing at many famous venues including the Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, the Schemerhorn Symphony Center, the Nashville Palace, and The Troubadour Theater. Alongside of that came numerous radio and TV appearances.
Taylon began working on recording her first CD at the age of 7 and she just recently traveled to Nashville, TN to complete her third CD titled Showin’ My Roots. She also is now an ongoing performer at Dolly Parton’s DreamMore Resort. Taylon, of course, is a huge Dolly fan and often has said, “Wouldn’t it be cool to do what Dolly did for her community!” Her new CD project is, as she describes, all about faith, family, and sweet country! The songs include stories of people and places that have touched her life and the stories of her dreams. Basically songs about how important her roots are to her. She co-wrote all of the songs on this new album and has developed a great desire to write her own music.
In the next few weeks, 12-year-old Taylon will be performing at CMA Week and will be interviewing with WSM out of Nashville, TN. She will then be touring this summer throughout the South and possibly out West. She hopes to write a lot this summer as well. Her goal remains to one day be an ongoing performer on the Grande Ole Opry.
It’s been amazing to watch God work in this journey for Taylon. So many times I have seen God lead Taylon to performances where someone was there who would lead her to the next event or to the next resource that she needed to continue with her music. Many times an overwhelming presence of spirit existed so that I knew that this person was a part of her plan in pursuing her music. For example, random connections and contacts that would just come to her that we had nothing to do with or even be aware of. I knew in my heart it was something God had planned for her and Taylon will tell you that she felt the same as well.
As I have stood behind the scenes and watched this journey unfold for Taylon. What I have observed is she has a great love for people and is so genuine in her relationships that she builds with other people. They each mean something to her and she truly wants her music to touch their lives. Taylon began performing at the Ronald McDonald House last year and this has been an experience that has become one of her favorites that she looks forward to. She goes several months out of the year to sing to children and families who are dealing with illness and are staying at the Ronald McDonald House. I see Taylon truly shine when she is there. She is in her element of giving back and using her music as a method of healing and bringing joy to others who are in need.
Truly this adventure is about the journey now for us. It’s about continuing to follow HIS calling and helping others through that and also sharing that nothing is IMPOSSIBLE when GOD is in it. He truly can move mountains!
