A religious Christian, a progressive southerner, and a fervent disciple of rock and roll, Jimmy Carter assembled one of many strangest voting coalitions in American historical past and introduced a brand new type of swagger to the White Home. His demise on the age of 100 can be mourned by many, and no matter you consider his single-term presidency and Nobel Peace Prize-winning charitable work, his passing is an opportunity to have fun considered one of his most enduring legacies: a lifetime of loving music.
Again and again he wove music into his personal formidable ambitions, boosting Black jazz artists whereas courting Black voters and citing rock lyrics as a part of his get out the vote efforts. However it wasn’t mere pandering, like modern-day senators competing to see who could make the worst Taylor Swift reference. Because the Governor of Georgia in 1974, he nearly misplaced his thoughts assembly considered one of his heroes, Bob Dylan. “After I first met Jimmy, the very first thing he did was quote my songs again to me,” Dylan would recall. “He put my thoughts comfortable by not speaking all the way down to me and displaying me he had a honest appreciation of the songs I had written.” The 2 remained shut associates lengthy after Carter’s political profession ended.
He additionally counted Willie Nelson amongst his nearest companions, palled round with the Allman Brothers, and earned the admiration of the likes of Paul Simon, Johnny Money, Nile Rodgers, Bono, and extra. Carter was not, as he generally portrayed himself, a easy peanut farmer, however he moved simply among the many nice artists of his day — a pushed man with a real love of rock and roll. Alongside the best way, he pioneered a distinct type of political marketing campaign, opened the door for brand new illicit substances to be imbibed within the White Home, and left an indelible mark on the broader popular culture. — Wren Graves
“The Hippest Governor’s Mansion Ever” (1971-75)
The story goes that when Gregg Allman visited Jimmy Carter’s governor mansion in Georgia earlier than his presidential run, he opened the door to seek out Carter “barefoot and in denims.” If that isn’t cool sufficient for you, it’s price noting that The Band’s Robbie Robertson additionally named Carter’s gubernatorial residence, “The hippest governor’s mansion ever.” It feels commonplace now to check politicians rubbing shoulders with rockstars, however Carter’s insistence on constructing relationships with the most important artists of the period — together with Bob Dylan, whom he started an in depth friendship with within the Seventies — was fairly distinctive on the time. We’ll by no means know precisely what went down at Carter’s notorious post-concert afterparties, however generally it’s good to go away this stuff as much as the creativeness. — Paolo Ragusa
Campaigning with The Allman Brothers (1975)
When Carter was first vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, he was seen as lengthy shot. A number of politicians with larger profiles had been additionally gunning for the White Home, however none of them had a buddy like Gregg Allman. All through his marketing campaign, The Allman Brothers had been vocal advocates of Carter, internet hosting profit concert events to boost funds for the darkish horse within the race. Such exhibits raised tens of 1000’s of {dollars}, which Carter would then double because of laws on the time permitting public donations to be matched by authorities cash. The Allman Brothers had been instrumental in Carter’s success – and he knew it, laying it out plain and easy when he thanked them: “The Allman Brothers nearly put me within the White Home.” – Jonah Krueger
Speech at File Retailer Homeowners Conference (1975)
These days, it’s not precisely novel for politicians to cite a line from chart-topping songs, however again when then-Governor Carter was campaigning for the White Home, it was a dangerous transfer. The rock and roll scare hadn’t but worn off, and aligning with the rockers meant risking being related to medication, free love, and the kind of rise up politicians are inclined to keep away from. And but, throughout a marketing campaign cease at a conference for report retailer homeowners, Carter sang rock’s praises, quoting “Blowin’ within the Wind” and “Yesterday” as he did so, based on Rolling Stone. Such nonchalant boasting of his (on the time) related musical data helped him achieve footing with youthful voters, and it’s what finally led to his unofficial nickname because the rock and roll president. – J. Krueger
Accepting the Presidential Nomination with a Bob Dylan Quote (1976)
On the 1976 Democratic Nationwide Conference, following a combative major that noticed Jimmy Carter rise from 2% title recognition to the highest of the polls, he gave an acceptance speech that name-checked FDR, JFK, and… Bob Dylan. “I’ve by no means had extra religion in America than I do right now,” stated Carter. “We have now an America that, in Bob Dylan’s phrase, is busy being born, not busy dying.” The quote referenced Bob Dylan’s 1965 observe “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Solely Bleeding),” nevertheless it’s additionally a terrific instance of Carter discovering inspiration in Dylan’s uniquely American poetry. Carter needed his supporters to really feel proud, energized, motivated, and that the very best was but to come back — all whereas acknowledging the tumultuous historical past of this nation and envisioning a brand new cultural id for Individuals. It’s protected to say that Dylan — who grew to become an in depth buddy of Carter — accepted of his message. — P. Ragusa
The White Home Vinyl Assortment (1977-81)
If a vinyl assortment by itself isn’t cool sufficient, how a few secret vinyl assortment? John Chuldenko, a author, director, and producer, discovered about information from his uncle Jeff — as Carter’s youngest son, Jeff spun the music himself when he lived on the White Home. The story goes that the information from the curated set (which was began simply earlier than Carter took workplace and which left the White Home after the election of Ronald Reagan) are nonetheless in prime situation. Figuring out the previous president’s love for music, these bins are in all probability full of some stellar picks. — Mary Siroky
Jazz Fest at The White Home (1978)
“SALT PEANUTS!”
In 1978, peanut loving president Jimmy Carter joined Dizzy Gillespie’s band at a White Home live performance. Outcomes had been combined. pic.twitter.com/FZTvF2Dezh— BBC Radio 3 (@BBCRadio3) November 2, 2017
Devoted to the twenty fifth anniversary of the famed Newport Jazz Competition, Carter’s administration hosted a legendary jazz live performance at The White Home in 1978. With performances from Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Max Roach, and Sonny Rollins (amongst a number of different jazz greats), Carter’s White Home Garden Jazz Fest was a love letter to a musical and cultural motion. Accounts present that Carter shook each single musicians hand earlier than the performances started, and launched the present as “the primary White Home Jazz Competition — I hope we now have extra sooner or later.” Carter wasn’t simply paying homage and respects to the jazz artists of the previous, however signaling his perception that the US President has a duty to honor the tradition of music in America throughout the board.
In the course of the festivities, Carter requested that Dizzy Gillespie play “Salt Peanuts,” a nod to his roots as a peanut farmer. Company in attendance recall the long-lasting trumpeter and bandleader trying down at Carter and telling him that he couldn’t do the track alone — Carter then joined the band on stage for the track. “Mr. President, I’ve one query,” Gillespie stated afterwards. “Might you’re taking it on the highway?” Carter laughed and stated, “After tonight I could should!”– P. Ragusa and M. Siroky
Willie Nelson Smoking Weed on the White Home Roof (1980)
It’s absurdly enjoyable when whispered tales and legends turn into actual, and also you’d be onerous pressed to discover a higher instance than that of beloved outlaw nation musician Willie Nelson. In his 1988 autobiography, the artist revealed that he smoked a “a giant fats Austin torpedo” on the White Home roof in 1980 with somebody who spent quite a lot of time there — later stated to be President Carter’s son, Chip. In 2020, over thirty years later, the previous president finally confirmed it to be true. The picture of the 2 leaned up in opposition to the flag on the roof of the White Home is pitch-perfect Americana. — M. Siroky
HarmoniCarter (2008)
Many presidents have been accused of being blowhards, however within the case of Carter’s harmonica expertise it might truly be a praise. In 2008 the previous pol joined Willie Nelson onstage on the Chastain Park Amphitheater for a ripping rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia on My Thoughts.” Fan footage of the occasion confirmed Nelson dealing with the lyrics whereas Carter stole the highlight, sliding and twirling alongside his instrument with aptitude. Invoice Clinton will get a number of credit score for his saxophone solos, however Carter’s harmonica would have blown him off the stage. — W. Graves
The Different Mr. Carter (2011)
Launched three a long time after he left workplace, you may not anticipate President Carter to play a big function, if any function, in Lil Wayne’s 2011 album, Tha Carter IV. And but, 13 tracks in, President Carter’s inauguration speech bursts in as a distinguished pattern. The not-so-subtly named “President Carter” might need been conceived just because Lil Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) and Jimmy Carter share a surname, andWayne used his speech to boast about his massive fortune moderately than criticize or touch upon politics (a lá the numerous songs that use soundbites of President Trump). Although he by no means publicly commented on using his likeness within the observe, we now have a sense he wouldn’t be too displeased with the consequence. – J. Krueger
God, Music, Willie, Kris, and “Wonderful Grace” (2016)
Not often have all of Jimmy Carter’s passions come collectively as neatly as they did on a 2016 night time at Atlanta, Georgia’s Chastain Park. Alongside Kris Kristofferson and his previous buddy Willie Nelson, and along with his spouse Rosalynn at his facet, Carter mixed his enduring loves for God and music and belted out the Christian commonplace, “Wonderful Grace.” Carter noticed himself off promptly however Rosalynn lingered, hugging the musicians and virtually dancing off stage. “That’s about pretty much as good because it will get,” Nelson stated. The previous president certainly agreed. — W. Graves
Jimmy’s one centesimal Birthday Tribute Live performance (2024)
Most presidents don’t even attain their one centesimal birthday, so Jimmy Carter was already a member of an elite membership. However to make his centenarian celebration much more rockin’, The Carter Middle, alongside along with his grandson Jason Carter, hosted a special tribute concert at Atlanta’s Fox Theater on September seventeenth, 2024. The present featured a stacked lineup, together with appearances from Maren Morris, Eric Church, Grouplove, and even some Georgia natives like The B-52s, Drive-By Truckers, and Killer Mike. The units might have been brief however they packed an emotional punch, as these artists paid tribute to Carter’s residence state, his political legacy, and his favourite songs. “Whether or not it was on his report participant, on the marketing campaign path, or on the White Home garden, music has been – and continues to be – a supply of pleasure, consolation, and inspiration for my grandfather,” stated Jason Carter forward of the present. Even at 100 years previous, his enthusiasm for music was merely irresistible. — P. Ragusa
