Mickey Jetton, Jason Isbell, but not James Taylor: NPR

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Celebrities and musicians often make appearances at political conventions, and this week’s Democratic National Convention was no different. Although James Taylor’s performance was delayed due to the time, two musicians livened up the opening night of the event with songs that helped reinforce the night’s themes.

Monday night’s first celebrity musical guest is country singer Mickey Jetton, She sang her 2021 song “All American.” To an exciting response. The track, from Guyton’s debut album remember her name“It’s a fairly straightforward country song, here’s a list of things I love — “We’re the stars in the Texas sky / And the jukebox / We’re the lights of New York City / And the hotel gospel” — which fit neatly into a night meant to highlight national unity and partisanship, as Jetton sang, “Aren’t we all Americans?”

A four-time Grammy nominee, Guyton has been at the forefront of a breakthrough for black artists in country music — producing chart-topping country hits for both Beyoncé and Shaboozie in 2024.

Watch: Mickey Guyton’s Little Party (Home)

Later in the night, Guyton made way for another country artist, Jason Isbell, an Alabama native who first made his name as a member of The Drive-By Truckers.

Dressed in a smart suit – and keen to honor the Alabama delegation at the conference – Isbell sing the theme song To his fifth solo album, 2015. Something more than freeIt’s a song about striving for more than just survival, expressing a willingness to do the necessary work: “I don’t think about why I’m here or where it hurts / I’m just lucky I got the job,” he sings, adding, “Sunday mornings I’m too tired to go to church / But I thank God for the work.”

WATCH: Jason Isbell’s Tiny Desk Concert

Both performances offered a sobering contrast to the most famous musician to take the stage at the Republican National Convention last month: Kid Rock, who They performed the rap-rock anthem “American Bad Ass” on the final night of the event..

American musician James Taylor performs a sound check on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Taylor was left out of the program due to time constraints.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

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ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Veteran singer-songwriter James Taylor was scheduled to perform, but the show was postponed due to the long night. We’ll never know for sure if he’ll be able to match Kid Rock’s energy.