From the Gazette archives: a story about James Taylor appearing at a Hootenanny in 1963.
From the Gazette, July 5, 1963
Probably the most outstanding young folksinger on the Island is young James Taylor, son of Dr. and Mrs. Isaac Taylor of Chapel Hill, N. \C., and Chilmark. Monday night at the Moon-Cusser Coffee House Hootenanny*, 15-year-old, barefoot James got up and entertained the audience with his sincere folksinging, accompanying himself on the guitar. The general opinion of everyone who has heard and seen James perform must be that for a young boy, he is definitely talented and has quite a performing career ahead of him.
For the first Hootenanny the coffee house had quite an assortment of performers, among them Tom Phillips of New York, who at one point warned the audience to beware of the next song, since the notes would tend to be quite ear piercing. With his very polite warning a fuzzy faced viewer in the front remarked in a rather sarcastic way, “So shaddap and sing!”
Other singers were Carol Hobart of Greenwich, Conn., and a summer resident of Edgartown; Bob Moment, Sue Blackmar and James Taylor, who have started a young up-Island singing group which with practice might prove to be a very worthwhile trio; and Mike Cane, who sings with the Slimy River Bottom Boys of Boston. The Slimy River Bottom Boys is an apparent take-off of the well-known Charles River Valley Boys.
John Redman was also up there singing, accompanied on the guitar by James Taylor.
*A hootenanny, for those uninitiated into the mores of folksinging, seems to be an occasion when anybody who wants to can get up there and sing.
Comments
Happy Birthday, James. Those
David Lynch BelmontHappy Birthday, James. Those were some days.
Happy Birthday JT!
Greg Johnson Orleans , Mass.Happy Birthday JT!
We have been doing a tribute show "Shower The People," in your honor for 15 years now.Thanks for the inspiration! Hope you all enjoy the hootenanny!
Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson
whalesong.us
Hootenanny defined. Gotta
Billie Erickson Cleveland Hts OhioHootenanny defined. Gotta love it! I have a JT hootenanny in my kitchen every morning.
James is a story teller in
tevor kellman New York-CityJames is a story teller in song-thats it a folklorist-been listening to his stories for well over_seems like time immemorial,keep on telling tales James;much love.thanks Leslie,happy birthday James.
So what became of Sue
Joyce CanfieldSo what became of Sue Blackmar and Bob Moment?
We got to visit our son on
Steve Kirkpatrick, DDS Olympia, WAWe got to visit our son on Nantucket last October, and I sang Sweet Baby James, for my first karaoke night ever. Also MTA -- had to do Boston songs! Big fan of yours, since 1971.
I’ve been participating in
Jaime H UtahI’ve been participating in Hootenannies since I was 3 years old! The annual Hootenanny for my guitar students is April 19! Thank you for validating the term—my students sometimes think I’m crazy! :)
Those were the days❤️
Pat Godfrey Chapel Hill ncThose were the days❤️
March 12, 1970. The Syndrome
Julee WisconsinMarch 12, 1970. The Syndrome in Chicago. Remember it?
I have followed you for my
Pattie Smith Lenexa, KSI have followed you for my lifetime. I can remember hearing your music while I sat on my best friend's bed. I saw you (ONLY) once in Atlanta years ago. This was shortly after your divorce from Carly. (Truthfully...loved her too!) You played her voice-over yours.
I still want to see you live. Your music is thoughtful, soothing, hopeful, and filled with love!!
Thankful you have blessed my life!
You are my absolute favorite
Kaye Bardwell Santa CruzYou are my absolute favorite of all time. Just enjoyed Ben’s, I Will. Mini you!
Thanks James, it's been a
Eric Ball Shropshire UKThanks James, it's been a wonderful journey!
What an exciting flashback. I
Rob Trafford West Hartford CTWhat an exciting flashback. I sang at a Hoot, sang The Times They Are A'Changing when it was just released, by BobD....
Looked right at my friends when the lyrics that came out were "Mothers and fathers throughout the land...don't criticize what you can't understand , your sons and your daughters are beyond your command...." Great evenings !!
Happy Birthday James Taylor!
Merrianne Nesbitt Charlottesville, VAHappy Birthday James Taylor! I have been a life long fan. Craig Blacklock and I were in a folk singing band in the early 70’s. This was in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and during high school years, we were listening to your music. Often incorporating Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, and of course James Taylor songs into our venues. I have remained a huge fan! Watching the Kennedy Honors and every televised performance you participate in. You are our true Trubador! Inspiring hope and raising funds during disasters. The music you write is legonary as you have given America it’s “Present Day Folk Hero!” I saw you in person at The Mall of America, outside raising donations for food, listening inperson to perfect harmony’s. I have never forgotten the sound of you and the band! God Bless you and your family.
“Smiling Face” was the first
Jeannine Jones Newport Beach, CA“Smiling Face” was the first album I ever purchased, and I now own every album you ever made. I can just about sing, word for word, every song you ever wrote, and have attended 14 of your concerts. I even had a dream one night about meeting you on a college campus lawn, and sitting down to sing harmonies with you. Your music has touched me in so many ways, and has been the soundtrack to my life. Thank you for your music. You are a gem!
We saw you & Bonnie at Fenway
Bill & Wendy Hall East Hampton, NYWe saw you & Bonnie at Fenway Park and it was the best concert we ever saw ! I’m from Boston & have been to Fenway many times, but your concert was fantastic.
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