newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A lot of people may not realize that country-pop star Taylor Swift spent part of her youth learning to perform in New Jersey. And after a successful appearance at the Prudential Center last May, 21-year old Swift will be returning to Newark later this year on two consecutive nights — Tuesday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 20.

Since that concert, Swift has released a new album — the million-selling "Speak Now."

"Mine," the lead single from "Speak Now," topped the Digital Sales charts and has since been certified platinum. Follow-up tune "Back to December," tmade the Billboard Top Ten. Swift, who has also hit the pop and country charts with "Fifteen," "Today Was a Fairytale," "Tim McGraw," "Teardrops on My Guitar," "Picture to Burn," "You Belong With Me," among others.

Swift's debut record made her a queen in the country world, but 2008's Fearless positioned her as the year's biggest star of any genre. According to cmt.com, Fearless went gold during its first week of release; combined with the sales of the debut, it also made Swift the highest-grossing artist of 2008.

By age 10, Swift was crafting original songs — and performing at every fair or talent contest in town, impressing crowds at every turn. According to southjersey.com, when summertime rolled around, she took her talents from Pennsylvania to the Jersey Shore. Her family made a trip to Stone Harbor, where they kept a house on the bay.

During the day Swift would splash in the water but by nighttime, she was entering karaoke contests at Henny's and showcasing her singing ability against competition more than twice her age.

NJ.com reports tickets for Swift's two return engagements go on sale on February 4 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. The next day you can get yours through the box office at the Prudential Center. The cheapest seats at the show will go for $28.00; the expensive ones for $82.50. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com for more details.