How Jimmy Carter’s love of music helped launch his presidential campaign

By Abi Inman (thanks to Pam P.)

July 21, 1978: President Jimmy Carter greets Willie Nelson, left, after watching the star country and western music singer perform in a concert at the Merriweather Post Pavillion at Columbia, Md.

Charles Tasnadi/Associated Press

When Jimmy Carter ran for president, he was barely known outside of his home state. He had served in the Georgia State Senate and as governor of Georgia, but was far from a household name. What gave momentum to his campaign and endeared him to the youth vote was his friendships with musicians like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and the Allman Brothers.

“I was practically a non-entity,” Carter says in the film Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President. “But everyone knew the Allman Brothers. When they endorsed me, all the young people said, ‘Well, if the Allman Brothers like him, we can vote for him’.”

Music was always an important part of Carter’s life. Growing up in rural Georgia instilled in him a love for the gospel of Black churches and an appreciation for the power and spirituality of music. His penchant for independent thinking helped endear him to baby boomer musicians like Dylan who were otherwise antiestablishment.

Oct. 31, 1975: (L-R) The Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Toy Caldwell, then-Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter and The Marshall Tucker Band guitarist George McCorkle are photographed during a pre-concert reception for the governor at the Stouffer Hotel in Atlanta, Ga.

Tom Hill/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 1977: President Jimmy Carter kisses singer Cher as her husband Gregg Allman stands by (second from right) during a reception at the White House held by the Carters for the Peanut Brigade, a group of campaign workers.

Peter Bregg/AP

Oct. 2, 1979: President Jimmy Carter and Dolly Parton embrace in the receiving lime at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, . President Carter hosted a luncheon in the Executive Mansion for a group of country music entertainer. (continued on Page 2)