MEET THE BAND
As Taylor Swift’s fame and popularity grew, she needed other musicians to play live with her at shows. Over the years members have come and gone, but these are the current musicians that accompany her.
They go by “The Agency” because of the characters that they were playing in one of Taylor’s first music videos, “Picture to Burn,” where they were dressed up like secret agents.
Amos J. Heller
Amos Heller began playing upright bass in the Virginia at the age of ten and received his first electric bass at the age of thirteen. In 2005 he moved to Nashville and began playing for many country artists. He has played for Taylor since the very beginning, before she ever toured and still plays for her to this day. He plays bass and does backup vocals.
Paul Sidoti
Paul Sidoti started playing guitar at the age of five and taught himself how to play many other instruments over the years. He moved to Nashville in 2000 and began songwriting and playing for many artists. He’s on guitar and vocals and has been with Taylor for all of her tours.
Michael Meadows
Michael Meadows has been playing music and singing for as long as he can remember. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Cello Performance from James Madison University. He plays guitar, keyboard, and does vocals for Taylor. He has played for Taylor on all of her tours.
David Cook
Before David Cook joined Taylor Swift he was a pianist and composer in New York City. He was able to collaborate with many musicians there. He joined Taylor Swift on her Speak Now Tour in 2011 and has been with her since. He was the musical director for both the Speak Now and Red Tours. He also plays keyboard for her.
Matt Billingslea
Matt Billingslea got a music degree from Capital University. After college he worked day jobs and played music on the side until moving to Nashville in 2005. Since then he has played and recorded for many artists. He toured and played with Lady Antebellum for three years before joining Taylor in 2012. He started playing drums for her on the Red Tour and has been playing ever since.
Max Bernstein
Not much is known about Max. He forms DKM Live! along with Drew Taubenfeld and Kevin Cofield, a company that puts together bands and shows for artists. He is the newest addition to Taylor’s band, only joining in 2018 for her Reputation Stadium Tour. He plays guitar and keyboard.
“The Starlights” are Taylor’s back-up singers that have been with her since she released her album “Red.” Some members have come and gone, but these are the current “Starlights.” “The fearsome foursome” not only do background vocals, they also have a choreography for each performance, making them both band members and dancers.
Jeslyn Gorman
Jeslyn Gorman is a singer, songwriter and dancer based out of Los Angeles. She has been part of The Starlights since 2018. Jeslyn has toured with top artists including Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo and most recently, Taylor. She first joined her crew in 2018, for the “reputation Stadium Tour.”
Kamilah Marshall
Since 2003, Kamilah has been one of the Staggering Harlettes, singing backup for Bette Midler. Her Broadway credits include ‘RENT,’ Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ and the ‘Original Cast of Hairspray The Musical’ and reprised her role as a Dynamite in ‘HAIRSPRAY LIVE’ on NBC. Since 2012, Kamilah has been part of “The Starlights,” joining Taylor on many live performances.
Eliotte Nicole Woodford
Eliotte Nicole Woodford has been trained in many styles of dance and has appeared on the MTV Video Music Awards, Dancing With the Stars, and campaigns with Nike Training Club and Old Navy. She is also featured in the remake of Dirty Dancing. Eliotte joined “The Starlights” at the beginning of the RED era in 2013.
Melanie Nyema
Melanie Nyema has worked as a backup singers for many musicians and has worked as a dancer as well. This combo made her perfect for Taylor’s back-up singers. She first joined “The Starlights” in 2012, during the beginning of the RED era and has performed with her ever since.