James Taylor Misses DNC Performance Due to Schedule Delays

James Taylor was scheduled to perform at the opening night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Monday but was notably absent from the Day 1 lineup. Taylor was supposed 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 promised.

Taylor was slated to perform during the 9 p.m. block, which included remarks from first lady Jill Biden followed by her daughter Ashley Biden, who introduced President Joe Biden with a heartwarming speech.

DNC Officials Acknowledge Schedule Delays

DNC officials later issued a statement acknowledging delays in Monday night's program but did not specifically mention Taylor's performance.

"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 statement read, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"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."

Footage shared on social media showed Taylor rehearsing his 1971 hit "You've Got a Friend" at the DNC earlier in the day.

James Taylor Apologizes for Missed Performance

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Taylor addressed his absence from the DNC lineup:

"We had a great rehearsal with @RickeyMinor and terrific singers, @KenyaHathaway and Mathew Johnson before the event," Taylor 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. Maybe the organizers couldn't anticipate the wild response from the floor of the United Center…"

Taylor's publicist Allison Elbl told USA TODAY in an email that "there are no plans to reschedule" the singer's performance.

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

Day 2 of the DNC

Day 2 of the DNC will start at 5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m. ET and will feature speakers including 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