In 2018 I had the privilege of interviewing President Carter for a documentary about how music shaped his philosophy, his politics, and his view of the world.
Jimmy Carter grew up in the segregated South during the Depression. Racial barriers were strictly enforced. Carter overcame his upbringing, he said, in part because of the spiritual and gospel music he heard from his black neighbors and the jazz and swing that came on the family radio.
Racism could not dominate humanity in that music. Prejudice couldn't argue against its genius. And Jimmy Carter couldn't reconcile discrimination with the message of the gospel.
Jimmy Carter loved musicians, and they loved him back. He had decades-long friendships with Gregg Allman, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.
When his long-gestating bid for the presidency was running out of money, the Allman Brothers Band performed a benefit concert that not only raised money to move forward, but also brought together a born-again Christian from the Deep South. Ushered in an unexpected change in the candidate. The rock 'n' roll generation.
When he arrived at the White House, President Carter hosted a concert of American music – country, gospel, classical and a historic jazz concert in which the President sang “Salt Peanuts” with Dizzy Gillespie… paying tribute to the great Charles Mingus …and extended the curfew so avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor could continue playing.
When the US was establishing formal relations with China, President Carter arranged for the Chinese diplomatic delegation to perform with country music's biggest stars, from Johnny Cash to Barbara Mandrell.
President Carter heard the same America singing the Mississippi blues that he heard in a symphony, that he heard in the choir at his Sunday church service.
Jimmy Carter liked the full range of American music, because Jimmy Carter liked the full range of Americans.
The story is produced by Lucy Kirk. Editor: George Pozderek.
See also:
since 2006: Jimmy Carter on life after the White House (video)
From 2018: Jimmy Carter's Journey of Faith (Video)
since 2000: Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, from rivals to friends (video)