Justin "JT" Taylor
Ken Potter
Kevin Fairchild
Danny Clark
Who is Justin "JT" Taylor? To get a feel for what makes JT tick you would have to take a trip to southwest Missouri (MO) to a small town, pop. 749, in Lawrence County called Miller. JT grew up on a small 75 acre Quarter Horse Ranch between Miller and Mt. Vernon, MO; son to Bob and Carol Taylor. At an early age he enjoyed sports, all outdoor activities, and was known for being quite a dare devil. A strong moral foundation and family support are what guided him through his early years. Music had always been a big part of his every day life as a young man, with most of the Taylor family either playing, singing, or involved somehow in the past time of making music. However, it would not be until later that he would recognize just how important music would become. Throughout his years in the Miller community, he became well known as an outgoing personality with a strong emphasis on academic and sports excellence through hard work.
For a brief glimpse into JT's personality, his first car was a 4-door white 1976 Cadillac Sedan DeVille (no horns on the hood).
After high school he attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri and earned as a walk-on a scholarship to play football and would eventually earn a Bachelor of Science and Minor in Chemistry and a College Football Chronicle First Team All-American selection. Hard work and long hours, just like life on the farm, brought to fruition his life long dream of both playing college football and earning a college degree.
With college degree in hand, JT traveled and worked as an Environmental Professional
in Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana, eventually landing a job in Ponca City, Oklahoma working at the ConocoPhillips Ponca City Refinery. In late 2007, attending a musical practice with his best friend David Bohon, he filled in as a temporary lead vocalist, just for fun. It was shortly after that impromptu audition that JT was first bitten by the musical bug and joined the band as a member, performing in the south central Kansas area. He thoroughly enjoyed his time performing, singing lead vocals, and learning harmonies with the band until the summer of 2009 when the band eventually dissolved.
In late October of 2009, JT was offered, by Kevin Fairchild, to become a part of a new band with the understanding that he would need to learn to sing while playing rhythm acoustic guitar. Believing in the potential of the band and accepting the difficult challenge of learning to play while singing at a performing level, he immediately began the process with the help and encouragement of his friends; band leader Kevin Fairchild leading the way. In late November 2009, the band Turnback Creek (which is named after a small tributary creek in southwest Missouri near JT’s home town) made their first appearance in Kingman, KS with encouraging reviews. JT continues the process of improving his vocal and musical skills, recently adding the electric guitar to the list instruments he plays.
JT's musical inspiration has come from his parents, his family, his friends, and a wide variety of musical genres including country, gospel, rock, and blues. Classic country artists including Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Johnny Cash built a foundation for JT during his younger years which set the stage for current country influences like Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, and Lady Antebellum that continue to inspire him as a performing artist. From the 8-Track tapes he played in his Father's horse barn to the mp3 files that he downloads today, JT would soon realize that playing music and singing would fill in the missing pieces to the puzzle that completes a great deal of his happiness.
JT has been described by his peers and fans as bringing a particular energy and positive vibe with him to the stage that is contagious. One performance and you will agree that JT truly enjoys himself both on and off the stage. Anyone who knows JT would describe him as a simple country boy at heart with a strong passion for life, music, family, and friends; enjoying and appreciative of each and every second he is given.
For a brief glimpse into JT's personality, his first car was a 4-door white 1976 Cadillac Sedan DeVille (no horns on the hood).
After high school he attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri and earned as a walk-on a scholarship to play football and would eventually earn a Bachelor of Science and Minor in Chemistry and a College Football Chronicle First Team All-American selection. Hard work and long hours, just like life on the farm, brought to fruition his life long dream of both playing college football and earning a college degree.
With college degree in hand, JT traveled and worked as an Environmental Professional
in Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana, eventually landing a job in Ponca City, Oklahoma working at the ConocoPhillips Ponca City Refinery. In late 2007, attending a musical practice with his best friend David Bohon, he filled in as a temporary lead vocalist, just for fun. It was shortly after that impromptu audition that JT was first bitten by the musical bug and joined the band as a member, performing in the south central Kansas area. He thoroughly enjoyed his time performing, singing lead vocals, and learning harmonies with the band until the summer of 2009 when the band eventually dissolved.
In late October of 2009, JT was offered, by Kevin Fairchild, to become a part of a new band with the understanding that he would need to learn to sing while playing rhythm acoustic guitar. Believing in the potential of the band and accepting the difficult challenge of learning to play while singing at a performing level, he immediately began the process with the help and encouragement of his friends; band leader Kevin Fairchild leading the way. In late November 2009, the band Turnback Creek (which is named after a small tributary creek in southwest Missouri near JT’s home town) made their first appearance in Kingman, KS with encouraging reviews. JT continues the process of improving his vocal and musical skills, recently adding the electric guitar to the list instruments he plays.
JT's musical inspiration has come from his parents, his family, his friends, and a wide variety of musical genres including country, gospel, rock, and blues. Classic country artists including Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Johnny Cash built a foundation for JT during his younger years which set the stage for current country influences like Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, and Lady Antebellum that continue to inspire him as a performing artist. From the 8-Track tapes he played in his Father's horse barn to the mp3 files that he downloads today, JT would soon realize that playing music and singing would fill in the missing pieces to the puzzle that completes a great deal of his happiness.
JT has been described by his peers and fans as bringing a particular energy and positive vibe with him to the stage that is contagious. One performance and you will agree that JT truly enjoys himself both on and off the stage. Anyone who knows JT would describe him as a simple country boy at heart with a strong passion for life, music, family, and friends; enjoying and appreciative of each and every second he is given.
Justin "JT" Taylor - Guitar and Lead/Background Vocals
Justina Claire
