James Taylor's 'classy response' after getting bumped from DNC impresses fans

James Taylor's 'classy response' after getting bumped from DNC impresses fans
James Taylor said he was honored to be invited to the DNC despite being unable to perform due to time restrictions (@JamesTaylor_com/X)

CHICAGO, ILLINIOS: Fans expressed their admiration for James Taylor's "classy response" after the 76-year-old singer-songwriter was unexpectedly cut from performing at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, August 19.

Taylor, who had been scheduled to take the stage at the event in Chicago, addressed the situation in a statement posted to X on Tuesday, where he explained to his disappointed fans.

James Taylor expresses gratitude despite missing DNC performance

In his message, Taylor shared that he had been fully prepared to perform, having gone through a "great rehearsal" earlier in the day.

Jmes Taylor, who had been scheduled to take the stage at the event in Chicago (@JamesTaylor_com/X)
James Taylor was scheduled to take the stage at the Chicago DNC event, but was cut of last minute due to time constraints (@JamesTaylor_com/X)

However, due to an unexpectedly lengthy lineup of speakers, there was no time for his performance, something he acknowledged with understanding.

Taylor noted that he and his band had completed a soundcheck before being informed that their performance would be cut due to time constraints.



 

"It was exciting to see and hear so many of the speakers at the opening night of the Democratic convention here in Chicago," Taylor wrote in his message posted on X. "But it became clear, as the evening unfolded, that there wouldn’t be time for our ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ with cello and voices."

Taylor suggested that the organizers might not have anticipated "the wild response from the floor of the United Center...," which contributed to the delay.



 

Despite the disappointment, he graciously acknowledged the significance of the event. "Anyway, sorry to disappoint," he said. "But a great and inspirational, quintessentially American moment. We were honored to be there..."

DNC explains decision to cut James Taylor's performance

James Taylor was originally announced as one of several performers slated to take the stage in support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 presidential bid, along with Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell.

While Guyton and Isbell did perform on Monday night, Taylor’s set was ultimately skipped.

Republicans slamm Kamala Harris's VP pick Tim Walz (Getty Images, Wiki Media Commons)
James Taylor was originally announced as one of several performers slated to take the stage in support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 presidential bid (Getty Images, Wikimedia Commons)

A couple of hours before Taylor posted his message, White House correspondent Christian Datoc shared the DNC’s statement on the last-minute cancellation on X (formerly Twitter).



 

"Because of the raucous applause interrupting speaker after speaker, we ultimately skipped elements of our program to ensure we could get to President Biden as quickly as possible so that he could speak directly to the American people," the DNC explained in the statement.



 

"We are proud of the electric atmosphere in our convention hall and proud that our convention is showcasing the broad and diverse coalition behind the Harris-Walz ticket throughout the week on and off the stage," added the statement. 

Fans praise James Taylor's response to missing DNC performance

James Taylor's performance at the Democratic National Convention would have marked his fifth straight convention appearance as per Billboard.

Despite the disappointment, fans took to social media to commend Taylor for his gracious response.

One fan wrote on X, "I was looking forward to that performance and sincerely appreciate your note here and understanding. Perhaps we will get to enjoy it at one of the Harris/Walz inauguration events next January."

Another fan expressed admiration for Taylor's character, saying, "Thank you for respecting the reasons. That’s what makes you, you. You aren’t in it for the glory. You are in it for the love, just like you always have been."

Similarly, another fan commented, "You are so lovely. You were missed, but it was still an extraordinary evening."

Others shared their personal disappointment but maintained their support for the singer. "I heard the warm-up and as a longtime fan I was disappointed not to hear the actual performance," wrote one.

Another added, "I waited the whole night for you to come on! You are my all-time favorite, James. The best of the best." One summed it up by saying, "Classy response, JT. I was sorry to miss your performance and hope they invite you for another opportunity."



 



 



 



 



 



 

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