IIRC he worked for a large financial services company (Merrill Lynch?) and was able to transfer to the Nashville office so that Taylor could be closer to the music scene.

No offense, but "the idea that families with wealth offer easier paths in life for their children" - like isn't this obviously the case?

The amazing thing about America is that there are paths for those not as wealthy, but of course they are harder, as much as we might not want them to be... no?