Tyler Hilton Reflects on Living on Taylor Swift’s Family Houseboat After Starring in ‘Teardrops on my Guitar’

Taylor Swift’s debut single ‘Tim McGraw’ caught the attention of singer-songwriter Tyler Hilton, who was struck by its simplicity and heartfelt message. Hilton, who began his career as a musician before landing a role on ‘One Tree Hill’, recalls how he first encountered Swift’s music while preparing for an interview, and was deeply impressed by her song. 

“I’m not embarrassed to say I was blown away by that song ‘Tim McGraw’,” Hilton said. He praised its simplicity, particularly the line: “When you hear Tim McGraw, I hope you think of me.” Hilton’s mention of Swift in that interview led to a surprise invitation from her team. He was asked to perform with her at a show in California after learning that Swift was a fan of his music. Hilton remembers being charmed by the gesture and decided to attend the show. 

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“I went to this bar to check her out, and it was packed — like 200 people in this little bar,” he said. Following that encounter, Hilton stayed connected with Swift and her family. He eventually moved to Nashville and lived on their houseboat, with her father helping him settle into the city. 

“I just ended up getting into the whole Swift family world, and they were so cool,” Hilton shared. Hilton has fond memories of watching Swift’s rise to fame, recalling her parents’ excitement during her performances, even as she became a global star. 

“They still treat her like she’s just killing it at a talent show, and they’re still so excited for her still,” Hilton noted. Aside from his connection to Swift, Hilton recently worked with his wife, Megan Park, on her movie, ‘My Old A**’. 

He composed the score, describing their creative partnership as a “shorthand” that made the process enjoyable. Hilton looks forward to working with Park on future projects, appreciating the opportunity to create music while staying close to home.

-Sushmita Sarkar