CMT Music Awards Q&A: Teen Sensation Taylor Swift

One of last year's most infectious country singles, "Tim McGraw," came not from some already established Nashville star, but from 17-year-old high-school student Taylor Swift. The video for the song scored the Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, native a nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2007 CMT Music Awards, airing Monday at 8 pm/ET, and at which she'll also present. For today's Q&A, we spoke with Taylor about her hit video. Check back Monday for an interview with CMT's Johnny Cash Visionary Award recipient Kris Kristofferson.

TVGuide.com: Congratulations on your nomination. You must be excited.
Taylor Swift: I'm so excited, but really nervous, too! I've never been nominated for anything before. I've sat in the nosebleed section watching the CMT Awards for two years in a row now, looking down and hoping that maybe if I worked hard enough, I'd get to sit in the awesome seats the nominees get to sit in. And it looks like that's going down this year! [Laughs]

TVGuide.com: Well, considering how popular "Tim McGraw" was on CMT, I'm guessing you have a good shot of hearing your name called.
Swift: Really? I'm thinking Kellie Pickler may win [for "Red High Heels"]. I've never been in that situation where they either call your name or somebody else's.

TVGuide.com: Do you like making videos?
Swift: I love it! It's one of the coolest things about this whole deal, seeing how a director splices everything together and creates all these moments. We shot the video on Johnny Cash's property in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

TVGuide.com: What are some of your favorite videos this year?
Swift: I loved "What Hurts the Most" [by Rascal Flatts]. And I'm a huge Sugarland fan, so whatever they put out, I'm going to be obsessed with. Carrie Underwood did some great videos this year, too. But Faith Hill's "Breathe" is probably my favorite video ever.

TVGuide.com: You're awfully charismatic in your videos. Ever consider acting?
Swift: I would love to, as long as it didn't take away from my singing career. I'd love to be on CSI or Grey's Anatomy! Those are my top two favorite shows.

TVGuide.com: What's the coolest thing that fame has brought you?
Swift: Getting recognized by people. I love it when people say things to me in public and want to meet me, because I want to meet them! Early on, my manager told me, "If you want to sell 500,000 records, then go out there and meet 500,000 people."

Send your comments on this Q&A to online_insider@tvguide.com. 

Read Thursday's CMT Music Awards interview with Big & Rich's Big Kenny here.