For Obama, how sweet it is

James Taylor yesterday played the first of five shows he'll do for Barack Obama in North Carolina. Sweet Baby James called the election the most important in years. "The last time I felt [this] was Bobby Kennedy's campaign in 1968, and it's a wonderful thing to feel and be a part of," said Taylor, who grew up in North Carolina but calls the Berkshires home these days. "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the bluest of the blue states and that's just fine with me. But it's wonderful to come to an area, my old home state, to feel the change taking place. This is an exciting place to be." Taylor's wife, Kim, joined him (above) for the encore, "You Can Close Your Eyes."

New ring for boxer

Irish boxer Kevin McBride, who famously beat Mike Tyson in 2005, got hitched the other day, but the City Hall ceremony was nearly KO'd by a zealous security guard. The big-hearted heavyweight, who lives in Dorchester, arrived at Government Center with his sweetheart Danielle Curran, their two children, Kevin and Grainne, and the father of the bride Michael Curran. "My dad died years ago, so it was really important to me that Danielle's dad give her away," said the old-fashioned fighter, who represented Ireland in the '92 Olympics. Not so fast. Security discovered Danielle's dad was carrying a small pocket knife and, after an exchange of words, he was banned from the building. Bummed, the 6-foot-8 boxer and his bride-to-be went inside, where the brawler was immediately recognized by Boston City Clerk Rosaria Salerno. "She started laughing and said she was going to Ireland in a few days," said Mike Moynihan, McBride's friend and lawyer. "She came outside and we had the ceremony out there." Under a sunny sky, passersby cheered as McBride and Curran, a nurse at Boston Medical Center, tied the knot. Afterward, McBride paid Salerno for the marriage license. "I gave her $60," he said. "She tried to give me $10 back, but I said, 'Don't worry about it, buy yourself a pint of Guinness in Ireland.' "

Like father, like daughter

The demon of screamin' was more subdued at the opening of Thayer Academy's new arts center Saturday. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler played the part of proud father, joining daughter Chelsea - a Thayer alum - for a few tunes. Together, they sang Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and the Shangri-La's "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)," and then Tyler, backed by the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, belted out "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." The singer's son, Taj, a current Thayer student, was in the audience, as was his 93-year-old dad, Victor Tallerico. The new center includes a 540-seat theater, and studio space for the school's dance and choral programs.

Fanning out in Foxborough

Hardcore Hanson fans - known as Fansons - would follow "Mmmbop" brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac to the ends of the earth. Fortunately, they didn't have to Saturday. Before Hanson's show at Showcase Live in Foxborough, the band (Zac, above) led fans on a mile walk - barefoot - to raise awareness about the AIDS crisis in Africa.

Mark Wahlberg can play the heavy if he has to, as he demonstrated on "Saturday Night Live." Unhappy about Andy Samberg's spot-on impression in the show's recent skit "Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals," the former Dorchester juvie tracked down Samberg backstage Saturday. "I gotta tell you, I'm very upset about this imitation you did with the animals. I mean, what is that?" said Wahlberg, sounding amusingly menacing. "I gotta be honest with you, buddy, I've been thinking about breaking that big beautiful nose of yours." The actor then greeted pregnant Amy Poehler, host Josh Brolin, and a goat. In the end, Wahlberg didn't punch Samberg, and the two men had a hug. When Wahlberg warned, "Never again, OK?" Samberg nodded and ran away. . . . Meanwhile, the LA Times reports that Wahlberg has put his Beverly Hills abode on the market for $15.9 million. The gated, 1.4-acre property has five bedrooms, 10 1/2 bathrooms, a 2,500-square-foot gym with a boxing ring, a basketball court, a state-of-the-art home theater, a pool with a grotto and waterfall, and a putting green. Maybe the "Boogie Nights" star just needs more room. He and fiancee Rhea Durham recently welcomed their third child.

WWE star John Cena (inset) stopped by Kings Lanes the other night, and crooned a few karaoke tunes for the crowd. Although Cena spent his youth in West Newbury, the wrestler now lives in Tampa and roots for the Rays. (He was spied at Game 5 at Fenway wearing Rays gear.) Cena snapped a few pics and signed a few pins before leaving the bowling alley.

Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.