Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell helped kick off night one of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19.
The musicians provided the night’s entertainment amidst the usual flurry of speeches. Guyton performed her 2021 song “All American,” and Isbell played “Something More Than Free,” his 2015 album’s title track. James Taylor was scheduled to close out the night with a rendition of “You’ve Got A Friend,” but his performance was reportedly cut to accommodate President Joe Biden’s speech after applause for speakers throughout the night led to a time crunch.
Along with the musical performances, night one featured a keynote speech from President Joe Biden, as well as remarks from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Raphael G. Warnock, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.
During Ocasio-Cortez’s rousing speech on Monday night, the New York representative said, “I’m here tonight because America has before us a rare and precious opportunity.“ She added, “In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class.”
Tony Goldwyn — one of the DNC’s three hosts alongside Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, and Ana Navarro — also took the stage to deliver opening remarks. (Navarro will helm proceedings tomorrow, Kaling will lead on Wednesday, and Washington will help close things out on Thursday.)
For Guyton and Isbell, it was their first time performing at a political convention, though both have been outspoken on political issues throughout their careers. Isbell famously recorded Georgia Blue, an album of cover of songs by artists from Georgia after Biden won the state in 2020. And earlier that year, Guyton made a major statement with her song, “Black Like Me,” released amidst the Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd.
“You have to find a balance because our point here is not that we’re trying to cause division, we just want people to see us, to step outside of their world and see the rest of the world,” Guyton told Rolling Stone at the time. “Because the rest of the world sees white people. We’ve been seeing white people our whole lives.”
The performances by the artists and the heartfelt speeches made for a joyful opening night at the DNC. To close out the evening, Biden addressed those gathered and praised Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz: “Kamala and Tim understand that this country has to continue to be a place for possibilities, not just a few of us but for all of us.”
