Often described as the “Rock and Roll President,” Jimmy Carter was equally close to country music. Born in the small town of Plains in Georgia, where the 39th U.S. President grew up hearing gospel music, Carter established relationships with country music legends during the years to come. The late 39th president passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
However, this association of his with the genre was not only due to the political expediency. The country artists campaigned for him, played at his White House and visited it, and most of them maintained their friendship throughout his lifetime.
The love of music in the case of Carter started even before he was running for presidency. Being the governor, he declared Elvis Presley Day in Georgia on January 8, 1974. And shortly afterwards, on February 21, 1974, he declared the Loretta Lynn Day, and Lynn addressed the Georgia state legislature in Atlanta, as stated by the RolandNote country music database.
This demonstrated the attitude of Carter towards the popular Southern music as a part of regional heritage. In addition, it created the contacts with the musicians, which would help him during the election campaign later.
During the Carter’s presidential campaign of 1975-1976, the musicians were one of the essential elements in the process of his political career. Concerts not only served as a means of raising money but as an opportunity of acquainting the people with an unknown governor from Georgia.
For instance:
- October 31, 1975: Toy Caldwell and The Marshall Tucker Band organized a fundraiser for Carter.
- November 25, 1975: Gregg Allman and The Allman Brothers Band arranged for a fundraiser in Providence, Rhode Island.
- January 14, 1976: The Charlie Daniels Band organized a fundraiser at Fox Theatre, Atlanta.
- February 14, 1976: Jimmy Buffett and Dobie Gray appeared on a statewide telethon in Atlanta.
- Some of the country artists who have supported him were: Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee and Tom T. Hall in 1976 and 1980, The Tennessean reports.
He took this friendship to the White House, where he organized a “Country Music Celebration” in the White House East Room in April 1978 featuring such stars as Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty.
In 1979, Willie Nelson and Charley Pride went to the Oval Office and gave a gold record to Carter. Willie Nelson was Carter’s friend for the rest of his life, and both made an appearance on stage in 1985, long after the end of Carter’s term.
One can see how deeply he thought of the genre in his own words from a letter he wrote to the Academy of Country Music in 1980, calling country music “the deepest expression of all that is unique to America.” On October 1, 2024, when Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday, the ACM published the letter online.
Carter lived through segregation in the South. According to The New York Times, music was his tool to bridge the differences in social status, race, and culture. The people who were close to Carter noted that his appreciation of music and artists was real and not an election trick.
Bob Dylan claimed in the 2020 documentary "Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President" that on their first meeting, Carter quoted his lyrics to him. Additionally, the documentary contained interviews with Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Larry Gatlin, and Rosanne Cash.
The musical world honored Jimmy Carter once again on the occasion of his approaching 100th birthday. The concert “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song” took place at the Fox Theatre, Atlanta, on September 17, 2024. The list of performers included Eric Church, Maren Morris, Drive-By Truckers, and Chuck Leavell. Carter has been receiving hospice care at his residence in Plains since February 2023.
At about the same time, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood were doing a Habitat for Humanity build-in celebration of his birthday.
Following Carter’s passing, the Grand Ole Opry aired a show in his memory.
Larry Gatlin stated in an interview with Associated Press that he had sung for Carter during his presidential campaign and remembered him as being very down-to-earth and approachable.
