Episode 13: Nolan Taylor

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with singer-songwriter Nolan Taylor, whose raw storytelling and haunting melodies have taken him from small-town Ohio to the national stage.

Raised in Blanchester, OH, Nolan’s journey is steeped in the grit and beauty of rural life — from hard winters and factory work with his dad to navigating family struggles that shaped his perspective and his art. Music became his refuge, drawing early influence from The Grateful Dead, Pinegrove, and the iconic MTV Unplugged sessions of the ’90s.

After years of relentless gigging across West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky, Nolan’s breakout moment came in 2023 when a live performance of his song “68” in the woods went viral, amassing over 2.6 million views on the Radio WV YouTube channel. Now signed to Atlantic Records, he’s making waves with songs like “Wicked Ways” — each track a blend of hard-earned wisdom, lived experience, and a voice that cuts straight to the soul.

We talk about his path from playing anywhere that would have him to connecting with millions online, the stories behind his songs, and what lies ahead for an artist who’s found his voice in the quiet spaces between the big cities.

Check out Nolan’s music - https://www.nolantaylormusic.com/

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