The music of Simon and Garfunkel has been enjoyed by many generations. Their music has become timeless. Continuing to pay tribute to the singing duo, THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY shares many songs as the audience is carried away to a different time and place when the stories the songs told became anthems to many. THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY will make its way to San Antonio, Texas on October 22, 2018. BWW had a chance to chat with Taylor Bloom who plays Paul Simon in this look back on the lives of singing superstars.
Tell us a little bit about how you got involved in the Simon and Garfunkel show.
The story is actually kind of funny. I just graduated from school and my girlfriend and I moved to New York. We were staying in a friend's apartment and I didn't have my guitar with me. (We were on vacation with her family and I happened to be browsing an audition site. I submitted for this and I got the audition while in New York). Then, I needed to figure out how to get a guitar in the city. I asked around and one of my friend's had a guitar that I could borrow. I walked into the audition with this guitar and it just worked out. I auditioned last summer and we will be touring for about eight weeks in the fall.
I noticed in your bio that you grew up listening to a lot of singer/songwriters like Dan Fogelberg and Cat Stevens. How do you think that prepared you for playing Paul Simon?
I think about the time that all of these artists were performing, there was a certain tone and a certain understanding of the world that is imbued in their music. Even though prior to this show, I wasn't hugely well-versed in Simon and Garfunkel music, when I started to listen to it, I think I'm able to understand it because I'm familiar with that type of music. I have an appreciation for that kind of sound. My first step was just to listen to it (Simon and Garfunkel music) and know how it's going to go. I was listening to "Shakin' It" and it's one of their lesser known songs. I remember thinking, "This is a bop. I love it."
Have Simon and Garfunkel had a chance to see the show?
As far as I know, they have not. That would be exciting.
What are some cities you are looking forward to seeing?
This past summer was my first time being in California. I was in Los Angeles doing some work with the tour. But we are starting in the Northern California and we have nine dates through California. I'm so excited to be in San Antonio. We're going to be in Houston, Tuscan, Denver and Florida. That's one of the main reasons I love this so much. We get to travel around the country and see all of the United States. Last year we got to see some of Canada. And we get to do it while having a great time on stage every night and playing some amazing music. It's a lot of fun.
What advice do you have for anyone thinking about getting into show business?
My advice would be to find something that you can do that scratches that itch you have that you're in charge of. In other words, don't only audition for other people and if you don't get cast, you don't get to do the thing you want to do. Find a way that you can do the thing you want to do without anyone else having to say yes.
THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY presented by TOBIN Entertainment will play for one night only at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas October 22, 2018. Tickets can be purchased here: majesticempire.com
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