“I was practically a nonentity, but everyone knew the Allman Brothers,” he said. “And when the Allman Brothers endorsed me, all the young people said if the Allman Brothers like Jimmy Carter then we can vote for him.”

Loading

A diverse roster of other artists, including John Denver, Toots and the Maytals and Charlie Daniels, also helped top up Carter’s election war chest.

After he beat Gerald Ford to the presidency, Carter wasn’t about to forget other big-name music friends, including Dylan and Nelson, who had helped him along the way.

“People didn’t like me being deeply involved with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan,” said Carter in the documentary. “But I didn’t care about that because I was doing what I really believed, and the response from the followers of those musicians was much more influential than a few people who thought being associated with rock ’n’ roll and radical people was inappropriate for a president.”

Throughout Carter’s presidency, some of the biggest names of the era played at the White House, including in a 1978 concert when he brought together an unimaginable collection of jazz greats – Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Ron Carter, Dizzy Gillespie and George Benson.

Looking back in 2020, Carter summed up his thoughts.

“I think music is the best proof that people have one thing in common,” he said.

The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.