James Taylor's DNC Performance Scrapped Due to Delays

Acclaimed singer-songwriter James Taylor was set to perform at the opening night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago but was notably absent from the lineup.

Taylor was scheduled to take the stage at the United Center alongside country music star Mickey Guyton and Americana singer Jason Isbell, both of whom delivered their performances as planned.

The "Fire and Rain" singer was part of the 9 p.m. block, which featured speeches from first lady Jill Biden and her daughter Ashley Biden, who introduced President Joe Biden.

Where Was James Taylor?

DNC officials later acknowledged schedule delays but did not mention Taylor's performance specifically.

"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," the statement read, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Taylor was seen at the DNC earlier in the day, rehearsing his 1971 hit "You've Got a Friend," according to footage shared on social media.

James Taylor Apologizes

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Taylor addressed his absence:

"We had a great rehearsal with @RickeyMinor and terrific singers, @KenyaHathaway and Mathew Johnson before the event. 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…"

Taylor's publicist, Allison Elbl, told USA TODAY that there are no plans to reschedule his performance.

"Anyway, sorry to disappoint. But a great and inspirational, quintessentially American moment. We were honored to be there…" Taylor concluded.

Day 2 of the DNC starts at 5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m. ET and will feature former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Contributing: Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY; Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel