Taylor Swift to Perform With Music Icon James Taylor at Tanglewood
Taylor Swift has been a fan of James Taylor’s music ever since she was a little girl. And she should be — after all, Swift’s parents had the soulful folk-rock singer in mind when they named their baby girl. The 22-year-old country superstar especially adores Taylor’s hit ‘Fire and Rain,’ and lucky for her, the ‘Mean’ hitmaker will have the opportunity play a few tunes — and maybe even her favorite song — with James Taylor at the iconic Tanglewood venue in Massachusetts on July 2.
The two award-winning singers from different generations first met about five years ago at a benefit for the Candie’s Foundation, a New York nonprofit that educates teenagers on how to prevent pregnancy. They obviously got along pretty well, because Swift invited Taylor to perform ‘Fire and Rain’ at Madison Square Garden in November of last year. There, James Taylor also sang a rendition of Swift’s ‘Fifteen’ as the young star strummed along on her guitar.
The 70s rock icon no doubt gained thousands of young fans when he performed alongside Swift, but the 64-year-old singer was quick to admit to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he likes playing with Swift because they hit it off.
“She and I worked together, and we just hit it off,” he said, paying her a high compliment. “I loved her songs, and her presence on stage was so great. She told me that her mom had me in mind when she named her Taylor. When she called and asked if I would join her at the end of the last tour to celebrate the end of a successful tour on her part, I jumped in.”
It’s been a bang-up year so far for Swift, who was officially named Woman of the Year at last month’s Billboard Music Awards. But there’s a good chance that playing Tanglewood with James Taylor could be the highlight of her 2012.
In addition to winning a few awards, Swift has also collaborated with Justin Bieber and rapper B.o.B., and has been hard at work on her own fourth studio album, which is expected later this year.