Family harmony is something that has long had a place in the pages of country music history — going back to its beginnings. One act that is doing their part to carry that tradition forward is brother-sister trio Taylor Made.
Comprised of sister Wendy Williams and brothers Greg and Brian Duckworth, the trio has accomplished quite a bit of success already. They have won Independent Artist of the Year earlier this year from Music Row magazine, headlined the Wheeling Jamboree last November, and performed at the first ever Mountaineer Mantrip for West Virginia University’s football season opener in front of nearly 20,000 fans, as seen on ESPN — not a bad career climb for the Taylor County, WV natives. The accolades are rolling in as they continue to promote their new single, “That’s How I Roll.” Wendy tells Billboard that she is very pleased to be sharing the experience with her siblings.
“A huge part of the reason I do what I do is for my family,” she says. “To be able to share the experience with my family and because of them is so rewarding.”
Just like with so many artists, their first musical experience was performing on Sunday morning in church. Nowadays, the trio can be seen on stage opening for some of the format’s top headliners. “It’s a humbling experience because we shared the stage with acts like Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, and Miranda Lambert. We’re just three siblings from Grafton, WV and to share the stage with acts like that is simply an honor.”
Taylor Made has assembled a mixture of savvy Nashville veterans and rising industry powers to be on their team, and they are grateful for what each one brings to the table. “We’re also fortunate to have a great team working with us, from promotion all the way to publicity. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do,” says Greg.
Brian agrees with his brother, saying that “Three kids from the back porch have to have a lot of help to get the exposure. We’re just excited about each and every step along the way,” he says, adding that the radio tours they have done in the past have helped them not only spread their names, but make some lasting and meaningful friendships with the “gatekeepers” of the airwaves. “I think that’s one of the big differences between country and other genres. We have lunch together; we’re texting each other. They are unlike any other format.”
As their career continues to grow, they look forward to a time when they can give up their day jobs… though Brian smiles and says they’ve hung on to them so far. “Greg is a truck driver, Wendy is an office manager, and I’m a state trooper.”
Currently in the studio with Nashville veteran Dan Mitchell recording for their upcoming album, Wendy says they hope that the fans like what they have coming around the corner. But, she doesn’t look at them as “fans,” rather a more intimate relationship.
“You want to have friends, not fans. That’s the way we look at it. You’re asking people to share your life story.”
Greg seconds those words, saying, “No matter how big it ever gets, I don’t want to get to a point where I can’t sit down and talk to you at any given time. In country, it’s a natural thing that happens all the time, and I love it.”