Toby Keith and Taylor Swift's Connection: How Late Country Singer Helped Launch 'Anti-Hero' Singer's Career Revealed

Taylor Swift's name appeared in headlines after Toby Keith died.

On Monday, February 5, Keith passed away peacefully two years after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. As the world paid tribute to him, talks about his role in Swift's career also scored a spotlight.

How Toby Keith Helped Taylor Swift Revealed

In 2004, Keith expanded his empire by purchasing a percentage of Big Machine. His $400,000 investment then grew immediately after his business partner signed Swift and other artists like Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.

Former DreamWorks executive Scott Borchetta created the Big Machine Records, and it worked closely with Keith's record label, Show Dog Nashville.

In an interview with CMT Insider following the labels' formations, Borchetta shared Keith's role in the expansion that also helped its artists.

"I would encourage people to think of this as one label with two A&R sources," said Borchetta. "Toby's the lead act, and we've got an incredible opportunity with all the resources that he brings and the music that he loves and his vision for what he wants to do."

While Borchetta was the one who signed Swift, it was the "Should've Been a Cowboy" who launched the label to where it is now.

Taylor Swift Praised Toby Keith

After Keith's death, an interview featuring 15-year-old Swift also reemerged. She revealed in the 2005 discussion with WSMV 4 that the renowned music icon played a huge role in getting her signed while she was yet to rise in the music industry.

"You're in the room with him and you can feel it," she said. "There's a power there and you're just like 'Oh my God!' I don't think I'll ever get to a point where I don't see him and go, 'Oh my God, that's Toby Keith!'"

The "Anti-Hero" singer continued, "Most people find out what they are going to do when they are in college and that's great, you know, but for me it just came a little earlier."

Swift has yet to pay tribute to her mentor, but Swifties already thanked Keith for helping the singer become who she is now.

"RIP to the great Toby Keith - all you Swifties out there remember, without Toby there may have never been no Taylor Swift," one fan said.

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Taylor Swift, Toby Keith