James Taylor’s Mass. Benefit Concerts Raise Nearly $1 million for Haiti

Credit: Paul Keleher on Flickr

Grammy Award-winning musician and Boston native James Taylor played two sold-out concerts over the weekend at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Mass. to provide relief for those in Haiti devastated by the earthquake and its aftershocks earlier this month. Taylor added the second show after hearing that the first sold out within hours.

According to the Berkshire Eagle, the two concerts raised over $480,000 in ticket sales, which Taylor matched. Viewers of the live broadcast of the concert on WMAC Northeast Public Radio reportedly donated an extra $78,521. Clarence Fanto, who covered the concert for the Eagle, praised Taylor’s presence:

“Appearing especially relaxed while regaling the audience with quips and anecdotes tracing his 40-year career, Taylor was vocally robust; the presentation, enhanced by the warm acoustics of the Mahaiwe, showcased him and his collaborators in top form.”

The Eagle’s own Alan Chartock also had considerable praise for Taylor and his wife Caroline for their commitment to helping the people of Haiti, describing them on his blog as “truly role models for the rest of us.” Chartock continued:

“Their generosity in matching the Friday night ticket sales is unsurpassed. James has the ability to make each person he is working with feel very special and he brings out the best in all of us. When James and Kim are running things, people want to do their best. It is extraordinary what was accomplished in the span of six short days. It shows you what can be done when people are committed to a common vision.”

Indeed, Taylor deserves every bit of praise as a visionary and philanthropist in his Haiti relief efforts. Many artists and groups are taking the initiative to play benefit concerts for Haiti, including music heavyweights like Radiohead, Wyclef Jean, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga and the Dave Matthews Band. But even they couldn’t say they added a second concert on their own volition. Taylor ought to be lauded in his hometown community in Boston as a hero for his efforts.