CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, (AFP) — Headline music act at the Democratic convention, folk singer James Taylor, poked fun Thursday at Clint Eastwood’s bizarre cameo at the rival Republican gathering last week.

The 82-year-old Eastwood chatted with an imaginary President Barack Obama in an empty chair next to him on stage, in a routine which raised eyebrows and was lampooned by critics as the ramblings of an iconic but aging actor.

Opening his act hours before Obama was due to make his case for re-election to the American people at the convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, Taylor couldn’t resist having a dig at the Oscar-winning Republican.

“Empty chair, kinda makes you nervous, doesn’t it? I’m not gonna talk to it, I’m gonna sit on it,” the five-time Grammy Award winner said, before doing just that and launching into one of his greatest hits: “Carolina in My Mind.”

On a roll by this stage, the long-time activist for environmental and liberal causes added a quip related to the president’s struggle in appealing to certain demographics.

“I’ve been watching the coverage and I don’t get it. I mean, I’m an old white guy and I love Barack Obama,” he said.