James Taylor's 'classy response' after getting bumped from DNC impresses fans
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.
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.
James Taylor doing a sound check before he takes the stage tonight. Many folks (including me) stopped what they were doing to take it in. pic.twitter.com/t2ytzAzfqS
— Ben Johansen (@BenJohansen3) August 19, 2024
"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.
"...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. Maybe the organizers couldn’t anticipate the wild response from the floor of the United Center… "#JT #JamesTaylor #DNC #DNC2024 pic.twitter.com/B6LG7yxXaX
— James Taylor (@JamesTaylor_com) August 20, 2024
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.
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).
Statement from DNC on bumping James Taylor and other parts of the program
— Christian Datoc (@TocRadio) August 20, 2024
"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…
"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.
"Don’t it always seem to go
— James Taylor (@JamesTaylor_com) November 2, 2023
That you don’t know what you’ve got
‘Til it’s gone…”
(Photo taken on the set of “Mr. Sunshine” when James was in an episode with Matthew Perry and @Allison Janney.) pic.twitter.com/K4bGtOE6Jx
"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."
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. 🤞🏻
— Josey 🥥🌊♀️🐎🇺🇦 (@JoseyRider) August 20, 2024
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.
— Laura Stavro (@laura1952) August 20, 2024
You are so lovely. You were missed, but it was still an extraordinary evening.
— Gerry Sanseviero (@GSanseviero) August 20, 2024
I heard the warm up and as a longtime fan I was disappointed not to hear the actual performance.
— Emmasmom “I dissent” (@Emmasmom4720) August 20, 2024
I waited the whole night for you to come on! You are my all-time favorite, James. The best of the best. 💙
— Sierra Goodman (@SierraGoodman) August 20, 2024
Classy response, JT. I was sorry to miss your performance and hope they invite you for another opportunity.
— Angela #VoteYourWholeBallot #HarrisWalz (@IVoteClimate) August 20, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.