Former President Jimmy Carter and singer Willie Nelson, seen here in 1980, have been friends for decades.
The making of a rock and roll president
Former President Jimmy Carter and singer Willie Nelson, seen here in 1980, have been friends for decades.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Updated 12:03 PM EST, Tue December 29, 2020

When you think of "rock and roll," the name Jimmy Carter may not be the first that comes to mind. At 96, the oldest living former US president is known more for his humanitarian legacy than his music cred.

But if you take a closer look at his political career, you'll notice a dazzling trend: Carter kept company with some of the industry's most legendary musicians, first as governor of Georgia and then as president.

Relive Carter's encounters with music royalty in the photos below. For more, watch "Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President" on Sunday, January 3 at 9 p.m. ET.

As a child, Jimmy Carter absorbed the sound of gospel from local singers in Plains, Georgia, and country music from stations he could pick up on a battery radio, he says in the documentary, "<a href="https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2020/11/11/cnn-films-premieres-jimmy-carter-rock-roll-president-on-january-3rd/" target="_blank">Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President</a>." That early love of music grew into a lifelong passion for the art form; here, Carter is pictured with one of his best friends, Bob Dylan, in the Georgia governor's mansion in 1974.
As a child, Jimmy Carter absorbed the sound of gospel from local singers in Plains, Georgia, and country music from stations he could pick up on a battery radio, he says in the documentary, "Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President." That early love of music grew into a lifelong passion for the art form; here, Carter is pictured with one of his best friends, Bob Dylan, in the Georgia governor's mansion in 1974.
Barry Feinstein
Carter's son Chip recalls in the film that his father never played a musical instrument -- unless you count the stereo. "When we had no money at all, dad spent $600 on the best stereo in Plains ... and he would let us children play our music on it," Chip said. "And he would stay in there and learn the songs ... It's one of the ways that he stayed in touch with his children." Both father and sons enjoyed the 1974 visit from Dylan, who's pictured here with Chip, left, Jimmy, and Chip's younger brother, Jeff Carter.
Carter's son Chip recalls in the film that his father never played a musical instrument -- unless you count the stereo. "When we had no money at all, dad spent $600 on the best stereo in Plains ... and he would let us children play our music on it," Chip said. "And he would stay in there and learn the songs ... It's one of the ways that he stayed in touch with his children." Both father and sons enjoyed the 1974 visit from Dylan, who's pictured here with Chip, left, Jimmy, and Chip's younger brother, Jeff Carter.
Barry Feinstein
Carter met Capricorn Records co-founder Phil Walden, center, in 1971 <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/candidate-jimmy-carter-rocks-good-ol-boy-44009/" target="_blank" target="_blank">when Carter was on a listening tour</a> as governor of Georgia. The rising politician got to know the Southern rock impresario, and when Carter made his run for the presidency, Walden and artists from his label threw their support behind him. "I think he's just a real fan of the arts," Walden said in an interview at the time. "He came here one night to a recording session ... he befriended these performers and his interest was genuine and they could see that."
Carter met Capricorn Records co-founder Phil Walden, center, in 1971 when Carter was on a listening tour as governor of Georgia. The rising politician got to know the Southern rock impresario, and when Carter made his run for the presidency, Walden and artists from his label threw their support behind him. "I think he's just a real fan of the arts," Walden said in an interview at the time. "He came here one night to a recording session ... he befriended these performers and his interest was genuine and they could see that."
Herb Kossover
When Carter began his presidential campaign, Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band "helped put me in the White House by raising money when I didn't have any money," Carter says in the film. "I was practically a nonentity, but everybody knew the Allman Brothers, particularly the ones that came to their concerts. And, when the Allman Brothers endorsed me all the young people there said, 'Well, if the Allman Brothers like Jimmy Carter we can vote for him.'"
When Carter began his presidential campaign, Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band "helped put me in the White House by raising money when I didn't have any money," Carter says in the film. "I was practically a nonentity, but everybody knew the Allman Brothers, particularly the ones that came to their concerts. And, when the Allman Brothers endorsed me all the young people there said, 'Well, if the Allman Brothers like Jimmy Carter we can vote for him.'"
Charles Rafshoon
Godfather of Soul James Brown, seen here in 1972, is another music legend <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/30/jimmy-carter-president-interview" target="_blank" target="_blank">who supported Carter's run</a> for presidential office.
Godfather of Soul James Brown, seen here in 1972, is another music legend who supported Carter's run for presidential office.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Carter's White House was a popular stop for musicians as they cruised through the Beltway on tour. "Various entertainers would come to the White House and sometimes unannounced," Tom Beard, former deputy assistant to the president, says in the film. The band Crosby, Stills & Nash made their visit in 1977.
Carter's White House was a popular stop for musicians as they cruised through the Beltway on tour. "Various entertainers would come to the White House and sometimes unannounced," Tom Beard, former deputy assistant to the president, says in the film. The band Crosby, Stills & Nash made their visit in 1977.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
The incomparable Aretha Franklin <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/aretha-franklin-sang-for-three-presidents-inaugurations/xSRcpNkJcRSdOj5IM3pXuL/" target="_blank" target="_blank">performed at the festivities for three incoming presidents</a>, including Carter's 1977 inaugural gala. "Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin were two of my favorite performers, so when I got ready for the inaugural performers to be chosen, they were at the top of my list," Carter says in the documentary.
The incomparable Aretha Franklin performed at the festivities for three incoming presidents, including Carter's 1977 inaugural gala. "Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin were two of my favorite performers, so when I got ready for the inaugural performers to be chosen, they were at the top of my list," Carter says in the documentary.
Sahm Doherty/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images
Famed Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was one of the many musical luminaries who graced the Carter White House between 1977 and 1981.
Famed Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was one of the many musical luminaries who graced the Carter White House between 1977 and 1981.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Johnny Cash was another artist with whom Carter was both a fan and a friend -- and maybe even family, as <a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/conference-hire-remarks-participants-the-conference" target="_blank" target="_blank">the long-running joke goes</a>. "I was glad when he brought June Cash (left) down here to meet me," Carter says in the film. "We always claimed that she was my cousin."
Johnny Cash was another artist with whom Carter was both a fan and a friend -- and maybe even family, as the long-running joke goes. "I was glad when he brought June Cash (left) down here to meet me," Carter says in the film. "We always claimed that she was my cousin."
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Like <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/dolly-parton-netflix-heartstrings-9-5-jane-fonda-miley-cyrus-a9216661.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">generations of music fans</a>, Carter was smitten with the sound of country star Dolly Parton. When the Tennessee icon performed at a 1979 country music gala in Washington, DC, Carter and wife Rosalynn <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/10/03/hello-dolly-38/32fed4b2-0512-4d98-9a1b-89175690ac78/" target="_blank" target="_blank">were in the front row. </a>
Like generations of music fans, Carter was smitten with the sound of country star Dolly Parton. When the Tennessee icon performed at a 1979 country music gala in Washington, DC, Carter and wife Rosalynn were in the front row.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Carter's friendship with Willie Nelson is another that has endured through several decades. "I think I know everything that Nelson ever wrote," Carter says in the film, adding that he would listen to his friend's work during stressful moments of his presidency. Nelson and singer Emmylou Harris visited Carter in the Oval Office in 1977.
Carter's friendship with Willie Nelson is another that has endured through several decades. "I think I know everything that Nelson ever wrote," Carter says in the film, adding that he would listen to his friend's work during stressful moments of his presidency. Nelson and singer Emmylou Harris visited Carter in the Oval Office in 1977.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Carter's cool rep extended beyond jazz, rock and soul and right into disco. When the Bee Gees were in Washington for a concert in the fall of 1979, <a href="https://twitter.com/BeeGees/status/1196884600024379392/photo/2" target="_blank" target="_blank">the group requested to meet Carter</a> and captured this photo.
Carter's cool rep extended beyond jazz, rock and soul and right into disco. When the Bee Gees were in Washington for a concert in the fall of 1979, the group requested to meet Carter and captured this photo.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
In 1978, President Carter and the first lady hosted a massive jazz festival at the White House -- <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1978/06/19/a-whos-who-of-jazz-on-the-south-lawn/ea9ac873-9fd7-41ec-8d9f-110e101ee8df/" target="_blank" target="_blank">one Carter introduced as the first of its kind</a>. The event was held in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, and Carter joined jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach for a performance of "Salt Peanuts."
In 1978, President Carter and the first lady hosted a massive jazz festival at the White House -- one Carter introduced as the first of its kind. The event was held in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, and Carter joined jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach for a performance of "Salt Peanuts."
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
The jazz festival included seminal jazz artist Charles Mingus, who would <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/archives/la-me-charles-mingus-19790108-story.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">pass away the following year</a>. President Carter was seen comforting Mingus, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/01/14/charles-mingus/ec3f32b4-e6e9-4404-a519-306641efb114/" target="_blank" target="_blank">who was moved to tears at the event</a>.
The jazz festival included seminal jazz artist Charles Mingus, who would pass away the following year. President Carter was seen comforting Mingus, who was moved to tears at the event.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Throughout his career as president and beyond, Carter's passion for music hasn't wavered. "One of the things that has held America together, when we've been together, has been the music that we share and love," Carter says in "Rock and Roll President." "I'd say that the common beat that people have within them, a desire for country music or desire for rock, or desire for jazz, or a desire for classical music, is something that binds people together."
Throughout his career as president and beyond, Carter's passion for music hasn't wavered. "One of the things that has held America together, when we've been together, has been the music that we share and love," Carter says in "Rock and Roll President." "I'd say that the common beat that people have within them, a desire for country music or desire for rock, or desire for jazz, or a desire for classical music, is something that binds people together."
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library