Taylor to play Obama concert

He's going to Carolina but this time it's in support of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Chapel Hill-native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor will play a free concert at 6:15 p.m. today at Fetzer Field.

Tickets are available at any of the early voting sites in Orange County starting at 9 a.m. today.

Taylor's visit to the University is just one of five performances the artist is playing across the state to raise awareness about early voting for the Obama campaign.

The event sponsored by the Obama campaign" was suggested to the UNC Young Democrats just last week.

""We feel so lucky to have James Taylor's support"" said Vivek Chilukuri, co-president of the UNC Young Democrats. But we're also grateful for his time and commitment to come to UNC — to come out to support the campaign.""

Taylor's N.C. concert series comes just two weeks before Election Day. The state is highly contested.

""Since the beginning of the general election" Barack Obama has taken North Carolina as a very serious battleground" said Raven Moeslinger, head of Students for Barack Obama. The state is in a statistical dead heat.""

Obama and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain have rigorously campaigned in the state"" both garnering support from various musicians.

Country singer Hank Williams Jr. has been performing his song ""McCain-Palin Tradition" a song based off his hit Family Tradition" at McCain rallies throughout the Southeast.

Last May, rock groups Arcade Fire and Superchunk played free shows in Carrboro and Greensboro in support of the Obama campaign.

Chilukuri said Taylor's concert is intended to excite the public about voting, noting that unregistered voters can still register and vote at early voting stations throughout Orange County.

The campaign knows that people aren't persuaded by celebrities" but the idea is you get people together and get them important information about voting" Chilukuri said.

It's more about draw — that's what celebrities do. He's just trying to get the word out about voting and Sen. Obama.""



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