I remember going into Jillys in downtown Chicago, a favorite haunt of Frank Sinatra, a few years back and hearing this wonderful voice come from the stage - I thought it was Sinatra himself! But here, up on the stage was this big guy who if you saw him on the street you might think was a truck driver, and you never had seen so much passion for the music - the way he sang, the way he took the song to a whole new level and made you feel like you really were hearing Sinatra himself. For just one second, I almost felt bad he didn't look like Sinatra, but only a second. He had the sound and the feel mastered that would have made Frank proud if he was standing right there!  

I thought of him years later when I began performing the music of James Taylor. I guess in some people's eyes since I am performing a tribute show, I had that one big strike against me - that I didn't look like James Taylor  - but I always thought of that singer at Jillys. I feel I bring alot of the same passion, attention to musical detail, and expertise at my craft, that I know when you too first walk in and hear the guitar and music, you think its JT himself! To me that is the ultimate compliment and tribute.




I had been playing guitar for 7 years when I first discovered James Taylor's music in 1976. I remembered the impact of the the song "You've got a Friend" when I first heard it and I would always stop what I was doing when it came on and just listen to all the guitarwork, the harmonies, and how it resonated with me.  But the real story began in Monticello, Illinois at Art Camp at the Robert Allerton Estate.

It was 1976, and like alot of things guys do in life, it all started out to impress a girl. I am embarrassed to admit it but it was true. Sure I already knew all the fingerpicking styles and songs of Jim Croce, Paul Simon and others at the time. On a break from Art Classes, a group of students had gathered round a piano to hear someone play songs. I ran up and got my guitar and joined in. When the pianist took a break a cute girl with big brown eyes walked up to me and said "Your pretty good - do you know any James Taylor songs? I didn't want to say no, but I couldn't really say yes.....

Sure, I had heard "Youv'e got a Friend" a hundred times, but I had never taken the time to learn it. After camp was over you can guess what I did? Yep, I went out and learned every James Taylor song I could get my hands on. I started with the Greatest Hits. Then I went back and bought "Gorilia". Then I went and bought, well pretty much all of them. 
I was immersed in his music. If I was to write songs, these are the songs I would write. I even started to learn all his phrasing. After a few years I sounded more like James Taylor singing than having my own singing voice. But I didn't mind. Its what I liked more than anything. 

Just like going back and discovering all the great Beatles albums I went back and discovered all I had missed up to 1976. I awaited each album like a major event. Would it be as good as the last one? Now I can listen to any song James Taylor sings and it represents a little part of my life. The good and bad memories I went through.

Of course I have favorites - everybody does. I think the "JT" album is a bit of a zenith. The production, the songs. I love "Gorilla" and "Thats Why I'm Here". I guess I am a JT "traditionalist". Like any great hero, when your a huge fan, you can get disappointed from time to time,  but overall JT does not disappoint me.

And the girl with the big brown eyes? Well we kept in touch over the years but eventually we lost touch. But I am very grateful for that day in 1976 when she introduced me to JT.

Thanks Joyce!