“I love you James”

My wife, the Commander Supreme, used her best logistical skills to plan our Sunday afternoon on September 15, 2024. This was for our trip to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts just outside of Vienna, Virginia.

She navigated purchasing the tickets on the lawn.

Researched the protocols for parking, seating, picnicking, lodging, and navigating the local streets to the Wolf Trap grounds.

Her timing for checking us into the hotel, departure time to the venue, and following the rules as we entered the amphitheater were impeccable. A naval admiral or army general would have been envious.

We even avoided the notoriously, naughty I-95 in our ride from Richmond to Vienna. Steadily, we traveled Virginia’s back highways and the historic U.S. 1. On a couple of occasions, we saw at overpasses the stalled traffic on I-95.

With the help of U.S. National Park rangers, we entered the proper line for lawn ticket holders like ourselves.

While waiting for the gates to open at 6:30 p.m. We were fortunate to have in front and behind us experienced Wolf Trap lawn ticket holders. No matter our question, their wisdom made our experience better. We both were impressed with their kindness and patience.

Their best advice was for us to split before entering the steeply grassed amphitheater. I was to secure a spot for us to sit, and the Commander was to rent two of the padded chairs with adjustable backs for our seating.

Our pre-entry coaching payed off. I found a suitable spot and quickly spread our picnic blanket. In a matter of minutes, I was directing the commander to my location. She found me, and with some teamwork, we conquered our chairs.

Settled into our seats, we people watched, and studied the venue. The stage appeared to be a million miles away. But in front of us, we had a supersized TV monitor for easy viewing of the stage.

Gradually, we started paying attention to the delights of our picnic.

While we ate, we watched the staging of the entry of the ticket holders who would be sitting in the reserved seats under the covered pavilion.

About ten minutes to the eight o’clock start time, what sounded like a large bell was rung. This was a final nudge to everyone— find your seats. And while the perfection of starting exactly at eight was missed, when the lights dimmed, the crowd was largely seated.

My introduction to James Taylor was in 1968. I remember hearing the first single from his initial album on The Beatles’Apple Records. That song “Carolina In My Mind” launched Mr. Taylor’s successful career. I still remember the disc jockey stating that Mr. Taylor was from Chapel Hill.

The concert this evening started with a series of linked together video clips featuring Mr. Taylor performing the song “Something In The Way She Moves.” At some point, Mr. Taylor and his All Star Band took the stage, and the song transitions into a real time performance.

After completing this song, Mr. Taylor, who is an engaging storyteller, shared how he auditioned “Something In The Way She Moves” for George Harrison and Paul McCartney at the Apple Records headquarters. To this day, Mr. Taylor marvels at how he accomplished auditioning that song with two Beatles listening to him.

Mr. Taylor turned 76 in March. This was the final night of his summer tour. He and his band played three nights on the Wolf Trap stage. His voice was a bit hoarse at times. Yet, he still possess a powerful voice with the ability to carry lead vocals and blend nicely with three gifted backup singers.

Speaking of gifted, the musicians in the band are extraordinary masters in their own right. Each has a fascinating legacy and story in the music industry. Near the end of the second set, Mr. Taylor’s wife, Kim came out and joined the backup singers.

At some point during the show, Mr. Taylor spoke about the challenges of putting together the set list of songs for each concert. As a gifted songwriter, making the selections is a difficult task for him.

Making those choices is even more demanding because of his ability to create hit records by covering songs written by other songwriters like Carole King, Buddy Holly, and the exceptional Motown team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.

This concert featured songs for every fan of James Taylor.

Early in the first set, during a pause between songs, a lady in the reserved seats yelled out, “I love you James.”

Now, I’m not quoting Mr. Taylor’s follow-up verbatim, but he responded with something like this, “Well, thank you, I love you too.” But then he continued, “In this public setting, I also think that we should see other people.”

Mr. Taylor’s easy patter to his admiring fan made everyone in the audience affectionately chuckle.

At the close of the encore, Mr. Taylor thanked everyone again, and stated he hoped to come back next year, and then he and his band bowed and walked off stage.

Even if you are a mild follower of James Taylor, if you have the opportunity to hear him in concert, I would tell you don’t miss him.

As much as my old heart and ears enjoyed Mr. Taylor’s skills tonight, none of this would have been possible without the heart and vision of Catherine Filene Shouse.

In 1966, she donated the land and the funds to the United States government to build this stunning facility. This led Congress to declare the Wolf Trap Farm as the Wolf Trap National Park for the performing arts. For over fifty years, this stage has left audiences appreciative of the artistry of performers from all over the world. (Wolf Trap website)

I’m not sure I could tell you my favorite James Taylor song.

I’ve always loved this line of lyrics from his song “Fire and Rain”:
Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus,
You’ve got to help me make a stand,
You’ve just got to see me through another day.
My body’s aching and my time is at hand,
And I won’t make it any other way.

Some days, I look around and wonder who is going to help people make a stand and get them through another day?

Who gets to the people Jesus can’t get to?

I think the answer to that question is you, me, we, and us.

When the adoring fan shouted out “I love you James,” truth be told there are lots of people who love Mr. Taylor’s music. Clearly, his work has touched many hearts.

But the real challenge that lies in front of me, the real hard work is becoming better at trying to love and understand the people who I’m incapable of loving.

In Mr. Taylor’s song, “Shower The People,” he reminds us:

                Just shower the people you love with love
                Show them the way that you feel
                Things are gonna work out fine
                If you only will
                Do as I say

Seems I recall that Jesus was very capable of stating to us “do as I say.”

Doesn’t he want us to find a way to shower people with love who need help making a stand and getting through another day?

Just like Catherine Filene Shouse had a vision for her cherished Wolf Trap Farm, haven’t God and Jesus had a vision for us?

John 13:34 states it best: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Clearly, my heart and I have lots of work to do.

How about you?