Six-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor is performing at a fundraiser for President Joe Biden on Tuesday in Boston.
In advance of the concert fundraiser, Taylor joined Boston Public Radio to talk about his activism. He shared that his first foray into political fundraisers was the 1972 "Four for McGovern" concert for Richard Nixon's rival candidate, George McGovern. In addition to Taylor, the event featured Carole King, Barbra Streisand and Quincy Jones and his Orchestra. (This Tuesday's event, in fact, is titled "You've Got A Friend In Joe" as a play on his famous 1971 version of Carole King's song "You've Got A Friend.")
"I'm a lifelong Democrat," he said. "And I pay a lot of taxes, and I want a government that I paid for."
"You've Got A Friend In Joe" will be one of three fundraising events for Biden in Boston before the president's campaign heads to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
The fundraiser is set to be an evening performance in downtown Boston; however, the exact location has not yet been released. Money from ticket sales will go toward the Biden Victory Fund, with additional funds going to the DNC.
In general, Taylor said he has been apprehensive about sharing his political views.
"I don't want to politicize my art. It would be unfair of me to expect my audience to align themselves or be contrary to my political opinions," he said.
However, he believes in his responsibility as a citizen regarding the upcoming 2024 election.
"I do feel as a citizen, I just feel compelled to respond when I'm asked for support," he said.
Taylor recently sang the national anthem at a Lewiston High School football game following the mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 18 and injured 13.
"It [music] can be really therapeutic and return people to a better place," he said.
