James Taylor: podcast appearances and interviews

James Vernon Taylor, born on March 12, 1948, is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist recognized for his significant contributions to popular music. His career gained prominence in 1970 with the release of the single 'Fire and Rain,' which reached No. 3 on the charts. In 1971, Taylor achieved his first No. 1 hit with his recording of 'Youve Got a Friend,' a song written by Carole King. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and sold 11 million copies in the United States, making it one of the best-selling albums in American history. Following the release of his 1977 album JT, Taylor maintained a large audience with every album from 1977 to 2007 selling over one million copies each, accumulating US sales of approximately 33 million. His musical influence persisted through a late 1990s and 2000s resurgence, marked by the release of acclaimed albums such as Hourglass, October Road, and Covers. Taylor's first number-one album in the US came in 2015 with Before This World. Known for his interpretations of cover songs like How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) and Handy Man, as well as original compositions such as Sweet Baby James, he has enjoyed a versatile career. In addition to music, Taylor played a leading role in Monte Hellman's 1971 film Two-Lane Blacktop. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. As of 2026, Taylor continues to actively tour and produce music.