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American singer-songwriter James Taylor plans to donate the proceeds of two upcoming concerts in Alberta to the Canadian Red Cross to support victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires.

“I can’t imagine what they’re going through,” Taylor said backstage after his concert in Ottawa on Friday, the opening date of the Canadian leg of Taylor’s tour with his All-Star Band.

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Taylor said he’s always had a soft spot for Canada, and wanted to help. Turning the June 7 show in Edmonton and June 8 in Calgary into benefit concerts seemed like the obvious thing to do, he added.

During the Ottawa concert, Taylor also dedicated his classic song, Fire and Rain, to the evacuees.

“I’m thinking of the people displaced by fire tonight,” Taylor told the audience as he and his bandmates settled into an unadorned version of the tune. Illuminated by the twinkle of lighters and smartphones, it was a spine-tingling moment.