Fans hoping to see James Taylor carry out on the Democratic National Convention Monday (Aug. 19) had been disenchanted because the 76-year-old singer-songwriter was minimize for time amid a lengthier-than-planned lineup of audio system — one thing he addressed in a press release posted to X Tuesday.

In his message to followers, Taylor started by saying he was absolutely ready to go on stage on the Chicago occasion, having had a “great rehearsal” prior to his scheduled efficiency time. Photos and movies on social media additionally present that he and his band had finished a soundcheck shortly earlier than he was minimize.

“It was exciting to see and hear so many of the speakers at the opening night of the Democratic convention here in Chicago,” he wrote. “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.”

The “Fire and Rain” musician went on to recommend that “maybe the organizers couldn’t anticipate the wild response from the floor of the United Center…” “Anyway, sorry to disappoint,” he added. “But a great and inspirational, quintessentially American moment. We were honored to be there…”

Taylor was initially introduced as one among a number of performers slated to take the stage in assist of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 presidential bid, together with Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell, who did find yourself performing Monday evening. A pair hours earlier than Taylor posted his apologies, White House correspondent Christian Datoc shared the DNC’s assertion on the last-minute cancelation on X.

“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,” it reads. “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.”

A Billboard workers author on the scene additionally studies that workers didn’t make an announcement within the United Center enviornment — the place the four-day political assembly is happening this 12 months — in regards to the removing of Taylor’s set from the evenings lineup. Instead, this system moved straight alongside to Biden’s scheduled remarks, which closed out day one of many conference.

Taylor’s efficiency would’ve marked his fifth straight conference efficiency.

Before the POTUS took the rostrum, Hillary Clinton, first girl Jill Biden and Ashley Biden gave speeches, as did a number of representatives from South Carolina, Maryland, Texas, New York, Kentucky, Georgia and extra states. Both Guyton and Isbell went on earlier than New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke within the night, and their performances can be found to watch on-line. As of now, there’s no phrase on whether or not Taylor’s efficiency is likely to be rescheduled for later within the conference.

Billboard completely reported that Patti LaBelle will carry out on evening two of the conference.

See James Taylor’s assertion about being minimize from the 2024 Democratic National Convention under: