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James Taylor Plans Haiti Benefit Concerts

James TaylorLike many other musicians, James Taylor is doing his part to help the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. The singer-songwriter will hold two benefit concerts this weekend, Jan. 22 and 23, in Great Barrington, Mass. The proceeds from the show will go to Partners in Health, a health-care organization that provides aid to poor countries.

The show will feature Taylor, his wife, Kim, singers Kate Markowitz and Arnold McCuller and Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Owen Young performing at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The first show sold out in 90 minutes on Tuesday, bringing in $150,000 for PIH, which was then matched by the Taylors. After the quick sellout, Taylor announced a second "Help for Haiti: An Intimate Evening With James Taylor" show for Saturday, saying on his official site, "The need in Haiti is so great and our community in the Berkshires is so generous. Performing another concert is the least I can do and, fortunately, the Mahaiwe is free the next night."

Tickets for the event range from $100 to $1000, with the high-end admission including a post-show reception with the performers. In other Taylor news, tickets are now on sale for the "Troubador Reunion" tour featuring him and Carole King. The duo originally performed together at the L.A. venue in 1970, a milestone that helped King launch her lauded solo career. After playing six reunion shows at the Troubador in 2007 for its 50th anniversary, the idea was hatched for them to take the show on the road again with many of their original bandmates. The trek kicks off in Australia on March 26 and hits North America in May.

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pugworth

Sadly, Jimbo is right. As in any tourist town, much entertainment is accessable only to the rich, tourists,2nd and 3rd home owners. I dont know of many folks in Great Barrington who can afford to take their family to a local concert for $100.00 a ticket let alone $200.00 or $1000.00. It seems the rich get entertainment and the not so rich get to read about it the day after.It shouldn't take a high profile concert to get people who have money , to donate $100.00 or $1000.00.to a noble cause. I'm sure a multitude of not so fortunate folks have also given as much to the cause , but in many more smaller donations.

January 23 2010 at 1:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ann sharp

james taylor is a class act for sure.and all the talent a person can have. seen him in a concert in indiana and it was all that i payed for too and more. he does great benefits and this is no surprise to me that he would be willing to do one for this too.i wish he would come back to indiana again,i'm there. but i don't care for ck with him. he's all we need!

January 21 2010 at 5:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RonTruth

Who ever thought that an old lover of urban folk music, with socially active artists like Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan would ever turn to s single act. But, James Taylor, who was very popular in the 1960's, would once again, now that Peter, Pual and Mary are no more since Mary Travers' death last September, return to the singing of James Taylor. Hats off.

January 21 2010 at 12:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daniel Mullane

In over 2,000 years of scientific inquiry and discovery, god has never been found - - - because - - - GOD DOES NOT EXIST !

January 21 2010 at 9:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brenda

*sigh* It was a simple question, Pott54. You seem a bit tense.

January 21 2010 at 9:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Brenda's comment
Marcyshamb

I don't agree with racist comments. That said....Bush and Obama have done little different. ITs all in how the media portray it, and how good Bush and Obama are at giving a speech about it... There is a difference too in that in katrina Bush asked the folks to evacuate and/or prepare before the storm. They partied. Just before the storm hit assistance was offered.. The mayor declined...
He didn't follow procedure... The whole state and other states were hit..not just New Orleans...but, they didn't get all the press..I guess they didn't whale in front of the cameras enough.

In Haiti...the event occurred without warning..yet, their leadership yelled help immediately...

Still, the help didn't get there for a week...and much of it is still not getting to most of the folks... again, its just a case of the media, and politicians spinning it to avoid blame for the farorite party and leadership.

Bush flew over...over flooded areas and was berated for it... I guess folks wanted him to land in the water and wade through it... Did Obama wade through the rubble throughout Haiti...

And then you have dear old France..the slave holding occupier for centuries... forced out by the slave revolters... crying over her past lost glory empire..and jelouse of the USA... France half way around the world... what has she actually sent to help Haiti.... a plane and group or two? Ya..big help... well, in her mind... The USA, meanwhile, even while taking a week to get most of the stuff in place....committed a tremendous amount of manpower and supplies...food, water, medicine, etc.... and are policing the rioting looting desparate folks who are now causing and will increasing cause more casualities to their own population through fighting each other for survival than what will now and in the future be caused furthur by the quake... France, like in every other action can't put action where her jelouse protests are.... in Iraq, in keeping peace worldwide, in charity and help to the world in general...and in
Haiti..where they would rather make the USA look bad at the hopeful for them expense of getting real help for Haiti...

I think there is a whole lot more nasty stuff going on in this situation than the racism of some innafectual, posters who have no physical control over events in Haiti positive or negative...

Bottom line...Obama is doing no better than Bush..and maybe worse inspite his sincere concern for Haiti....France and our friends and enemies around the world, although participating, aren't doing much in comparison to the extent we are helping in Haiti... and this is the way it always is no matter the disaster, threat, etc... what a world all around!

January 21 2010 at 9:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roscoe

Tickets range from $100 to $1000 dollars. Most of them were no doubt purchased by wealthy NY transplants and second (or third) home owners. Very few real locals can afford to go to any of his concerts these days. There are plenty of people in Berkshire County (area where concerts will be) who go to bed hungry every night.

January 21 2010 at 7:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Roscoe's comment
pugworth

Sadly, you're right Jimbo. As a Local merchant in Great Barrington,I feel as if a lot of entertainment is geared toward the rich,the tourists and part time residents. Very few families in G.B.could treat their family to a concert at $100.00 a ticket let alone $200.00 or $1000.00.Seems that's the way the country is going.the rich get entertained,and the not so rich read about it.Have you priced tickets to a baseball game or football game lately?

January 23 2010 at 1:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danzillo4

I hate to be such a nosey guy, but I looked up PIH at their own web site and they recieve MOST of their funds from the government (we taxpayers) and they listed their aid given..All went to foreign countries, most of which went to Haiti to the tune of almost $60,000,000.00
for 2008 and 2009...They also have over one million in vehicles...I wonder!

January 21 2010 at 6:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danzillo4

Partners in Health takes in a lot of money, they have $34,653,761.00 in assets and have an income of $63,404,477.00...I hope they use the money wisely and honestly...

January 21 2010 at 6:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lori

No way! Haiti is in enough trouble already. JT is trying to HELP them.

January 21 2010 at 3:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wolfie

JT you are a friend!

January 21 2010 at 2:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Wolfie's comment
Mae Chin

Did you perform a benefit for Katrina?

January 21 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply