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In this same Lexus Encore tour the band also paid tribute to Ray Charles as a great influence for them. Ray Charles was an incredible pianist who “made ground-breaking contributions to, blues, gospel, jazz, and rock’n’roll” Bowmer, S. (2022, August 16). He is accredited to being the creator of the 12 bar blues scale that is now a defining feature of the genre. His music left such an impact he has been crowned 2nd greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone. (2023, January 1).

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As a part of their tour ‘Lexus Encore’ which was a small national tour the band did covering the songs of their greatest influences the brothers performed multiple songs by Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul’ according to Rolling Stone is accredited to being one of the most influential soul/jazz artists of our time. Her use of gospel-like vocal techniques such as timbre, song speech-speech and vibrato as outlined by Legg, A. (2010) shaped the genre of soul and gospel music forever.

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In an interview with Headliner Magazine Josh Teskey, allegedly said that his rich soulful voice is inspired  by blues and soul icon Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder pioneered the genres funk, soul and jazz throughout his career with his use of vocal ornamentation being staples or etiquette of the genres stated by Rischar, R. (2004). His work and support in political movements for civil rights during the 70’s and 80’s as stated by Kilman, S. M. (2017, June 19) is still influential today.

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The Teskey brothers are a blues rock band made up of brothers John and Sam Teskey. With their first album being recorded in their own home studio they have a raw acoustic sound to their songs accompanied by themes of nostalgia, connection and displacement found across their discography stated the brothers in recent interviews with Lochrie, C. (2023, June 16). Stylistic techniques such as walking bass lines and 12 bar blues scales can be found all throughout their music defining their bluesy sound.

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Creedence has been accredited to the rise in popularity of swamp rock in the late 60’s to early 70s according to Doris, F. (2021, August 27). Swamp rock as a subgenre of rock that contains heavy influences from country and blues music. With key stylistic elements of blues such as the use of melisma vocal techniques combined with raspy vocals can be found all throughout their discography. It is also very common to hear string bending and bass runs with key stylistic features of the blues according to Cohen, A. M. (1996).

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In an interview done by Horlyk, E. (2021, June 24) with John Forgety he stated that one of his main influences to form a band was Little Richard. Little Richard is known for calling himself “Architect for rock and roll” according to Crawley, A. (2020, December 22) due to his use of raspy vocals, distinct backbeat and high energy showmanship. This led his music to become  highly influential in shaping the future of rock. Being a rock band many of these techniques popularised by Little Richard can be found throughout CCR’s entire discography.

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One of CCR’s most famous songs ‘Fortunate Son’ which was released in 1969 was inspired by the band's own political views on the Vietnam war. The Vietnam war is often considered the first televised war as discussed in Vietnam: the televised war Mandelbaum, M. (1982).  Seeing the horrors of war first and and also being drafted but never deployed was the inspiration behind the anti-war and anti-establishment anthem according to John Forgety in his memoir Fortunate Son: My life, My Music Fogerty, J. (2016).

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Creedence Clearwater Revival or CCR were an incredibly popular rock band in the 70’s playing major influential shows such as Woodstock. They have been credited in being the pioneers of swamp rock according to Johnson, Anne E. (August 30, 2021) as their use of blues and country stylistic techniques. Themes of love and romance were often avoided by the band instead writing mainly themes of social and political issues as well as life in the south.

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According to the Britannica Encyclopaedia at age 13 Swift’s parents sold their farm to move to Tennessee, so that she could focus on courting country labels in nearby Nashville explains Ray, M. (2023, May 26). During the early 60’s most major country record labels either moved or began operation in Nashville according to Fenster, M. (1990) making it to this day quite a popular place for aspiring musicians to move to in hopes of being recognised. This move in Swift's life would lead her to singing and releasing her first album with 'Big Machine Records'.

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In an article by Far Out magazine, Swift is quoted saying that one of her biggest influences is Paul McCartny expressing “Paul writes the things he’s learned about love in such a brilliantly simple way”. Paul McCartny was a part of the esteemed, highly influential band The Beatles. Themes of love are very prominent in their music as it is something the band highly valued according to Campbell, C. (2006). Their use of lyric composition to express these themes have influenced Swift to explore and write about her own experiences with love.

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Max Martian is an industry renowned pop producer and the main producer on multiple of Taylor's albums. Max Martin pioneered what he calls the “Melodic Math Formula” according to Clark, B. (2022, February 9) which is his step by step process on how he writes and produces pop songs. This formula is evident in many of Taylor's songs for example Shake it off according to an analysis done by Helman, P. (2017, February 28).  Working with Max Martin allowed the overall genre of Taylors music to evolve from country to pop.

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Taylor Swift's discography consists of many genres delving into folk, rock, country and alternative and but most notably she has had the greatest success with her pop music. Her first album titled “Enchanted '' utilises instruments such as the banjo, acoustic guitars and even fiddles defining her early music as predominantly country. However her style has progressed throughout the years from both industry and personal influences. Her songs consist of themes of love, heartbreak and connection.

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Being a blues and folk artist I have drawn influence from Taylor Swift, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Teskey Brothers. Taylor Swift's early music’s use of country guitar techniques is what first got me into playing guitar. Credence’s swamp rock style and twang is something I try to bring to my production today. The Teskey Brothers' down to earth sound and persona and anyone can do it motto inspired me to actually pursue music as a career.