James Taylor Takes Boat to Newport to Save Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival offered up another incredible lineup this year as over fifty musicians took the stage in Rhode Island’s City by the Sea.

It’s becoming a trend of the popular festival to bring in surprise guests, and this year, fans were delighted to meet the Muppets as they rocked out all weekend.

Get our free mobile app

And then, when one of the other stars was forced to pull out of their set, the festival called upon an old friend that lives right across the water in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

And his name is James Taylor.

After rising star, Noah Kahn, was forced to cancel his set due to vocal exhaustion, James Taylor happily stepped in.

The Newport Buzz reported that when the Folk Fest called, James Taylor “simply hopped on a boat from his home in Jamestown with mere minutes to spare and blew the audience away.”

Jamestown, Rhode Island is Newport’s beautiful and more secluded sister across the water. Tucked in between North Kingstown and Newport is the quiet town of Jamestown, stretching 35 square miles and offering some of the best seaside views that Rhode Island can offer.

I was fortunate to spend my childhood exploring the coastlines and beaches of Jamestown as a child, and it doesn’t shock me to learn that a high-profile artist like James Taylor calls it home.

What’s Up Newp reported that Taylor’s “brief set was sublime” as he played favorites like “Something in the Way She Moves, “Sweet Baby James” and “Fire and Rain.”

“Best substitute ever!” wrote one online user.

Rolling Stone shared that his surprise set left many viewers emotional, and Taylor didn’t even know he would be performing just a few hours before.

“Emergency folk music is what this is,” said Taylor.

21 Famous People You Didn't Know Were From the SouthCoast

Move over Hollywood, you're not the only town that breeds stars. We've compiled a list of some famous people that either are native to the SouthCoast, or eventually called it home.