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NC Icon James Taylor to Perform at Westglow Resort in Blowing Rock Oct. 12 for Re-elect Obama Fundraiser

By Paul T. Choate

James Taylor (left) and his “Band of Legends” performing at  Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. in the summer of 2008. The Band of Legends included: Luis Conte – percussion, Walt Fowler – horns, Steve Gadd – drums, Larry Goldings – keyboards, Jimmy Johnson – bass, Michael Landau – guitar, David Lasley, Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz and Andrea Zonn – vocals and Lou “Blue Lou” Marini – horns. Photo courtesy of S. Dean Jameson

Sept. 13, 2012. On Friday, Oct. 12, Westglow Resort and Spa will be hosting five-time Grammy winner James Taylor to play as part of a fundraiser to support President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

“You can imagine how excited and thrilled we are,” said Linda Barbash, director of marketing and advertising with Westglow. “I think it is a great venue and I think it will be a really special evening here.”

In addition to being a five-time Grammy winner, Taylor is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as being an icon in the state of North Carolina.

Though he was born in Massachusetts, Taylor’s parents relocated to Chapel Hill in 1951 when he was only three years old. He attended primary school there and, although he spent a few years attending Milton Academy in Massachusetts in the early 1960s, he returned to North Carolina to finish high school at Chapel Hill High School.

Taylor’s legendary music career began in the late 1960s and has spanned for over 40 years. His first hit solo was “Fire and Rain,” and one of his most famous songs is “You’ve Got a Friend.”

According to Barbash, Taylor has been touring extensively to support President Obama.

“I’ve actually read that he has been touring and would go anywhere really to support having this man in office,” she said, adding that it is particularly exciting to have Taylor “coming home” to North Carolina for a performance.

The show will kick of at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12. Ticket prices for the performance range from $500 for students and “youth” (under 30) to $1,000 for anyone aged 30 and up. For tickets to attend the performance and a private dinner afterward with Taylor, the price is $2,500.

Westglow Resort and Spa is located at 224 Westglow Circle, Blowing Rock.

For more information about the event or to reserve tickets, call 828-295-5146. Do not call the Westglow front desk for event information or tickets.

For more information about James Taylor and to watch videos of his past performances, visit jamestaylor.com.