Taylor Swift's single "Our Song" was certified platinum last week by the Recording Industry Association of America, making it the second song from her debut album to achieve that recognition. It's a great accomplishment for an artist who just turned 18, but it comes as little surprise that her interest in country music was keyed by another singer who made her debut as a teen.

LeAnn Rimes was just 13 when she released "Blue," and when her mom brought home an album by LeAnn, young Taylor — who was six at the time — was hooked permanently on country music.

"I started listening to female country artists non-stop: Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks," Taylor told Blender magazine. "And they led me back to Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. I think it was the storytelling that grabbed me."

Taylor's own stories have grabbed another generation. "Our Song" follows on the heels of "Teardrops On My Guitar" in going platinum, while "Tim McGraw" was certified gold. Her self-titled debut album is also double-platinum.