Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift grew up on a farm in Wyomissing, Pa. Inspired by her maternal grandmother, a professional opera singer, Taylor took up singing early in life. At 10, she began performing around town at karaoke contests, festivals and county fairs, and even recording rough demos at a studio. At age 11, Taylor Swift performed the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers NBA game in front of thousands of fans.

At 12, she picked up a guitar and learned to write her own songs. Her family took regular trips to Nashville to shop her music around, and she wrote with local songwriters. After a few years, during which the family made the decision to move to nearby Hendersonville, Tenn., a showcase at the Bluebird Cafe caught the attention of music-industry veteran Scott Borchetta.

Taylor Swift released her debut album on Borchetta's label, Big Machine Records, in 2006. The project includes her first single, "Tim McGraw."

Taylor Swift Photos

	Country Singer Carrie Underwood Music didn't run in the family, but Carrie Underwood started singing at church when she was 3. Once she was in school, she sang solo roles in student plays. By the seventh grade, people were taking more notice of her voice as she entered local talent shows. Carrie Underwood Bio and Photo Gallery

	Kellie Pickler "When I was a little older, my grandparents bought me a little boom box, and I sang along with LeAnn Rimes, Shania, Faith, Tammy Wynette, and especially Dolly Parton. I have always loved Dolly Parton, I felt like we had something in common" - Kellie Picker Pictures and Bio

	Shania Twain Shania Twain often grabbed a guitar and retreated to the solitude of her bedroom singing and writing until her fingers ached. "I grew up listening to Waylon, Willie, Dolly, Tammy, all of them," she recalls. "But we also listened to the Mamas and the Papas, and Stevie Wonder. Shania Twain Photos

	Faith Hill Her first singing experience came as a child in her family's Baptist church. As a young teenager, Hill learned to play guitar, and by age 16 she had started her own country band that played at a number of local fairs and rodeos. Faith Hill Bio and Pictures

	Julianne Hough Julianne Hough began working almost immediately upon arriving in Los Angeles. She was featured in two television commercials and was a "dancing" extra in an episode of Cold Case. Julianne Hough Photo Gallery

	Jessica Simpson Almost as soon as Jessica Simpson was cast as cutoff-clad Southern Belle Daisy Duke in the big screen remake of the fondly recalled '70s series The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) her star was shining even brighter than ever. Jessica Simpson Bio

	Avril Lavigne Lavigne is a Canadian rock singer and musician. She has sold over twenty-six million albums worldwide. In 2006, Canadian Business Magazine ranked her the seventh most powerful Canadian in Hollywood. Avril Lavigne Bio and Photos