Musicians and actors paid tribute to three-time Grammy-winning former US President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday at the age of 100. Carter’s legacy extends beyond his political career; he will likely be remembered for his significant contributions to the arts, a passion reflected in his multiple Grammy wins and a 2025 Grammy nomination for his audiobook, *Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration*.
His connections to the music world were well-known. He had strong associations with numerous musicians, including the Allman Brothers Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels, and Willie Nelson. Nelson later revealed that he had smoked marijuana on the White House roof with Carter’s son, Chip. The Allman Brothers Band notably endorsed Carter in 1975, raising $64,000 for his campaign – a crucial boost that he leveraged with matching government funds. “Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers just about put me in the White House,” Carter said in 2015.
Following his death, musicians shared heartfelt tributes on social media. Peter Gabriel, a longtime friend, described Carter as “a truly extraordinary man and a rare politician who always stood up and spoke out for idealism, compassion and human rights.” Country singer Trisha Yearwood, who, along with her husband Garth Brooks, participated in the 2024 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity, wrote, “Rest easy, Mr. President. I’m sad for us, and happy for you. Your and Mrs. Rosalynn’s legacy of love will live forever.” The Academy of Country Music (ACM) recalled Carter’s words, “Country music is heard everywhere. It is the deepest expression of all that is uniquely American,” and offered their condolences. Other tributes came from Heart’s Nancy Wilson, who called him “an incredible bridge between policy and our humanity,” and actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who simply stated, “Thank you for teaching us all how to be humans Mr. President.” Rapper Killer Mike, a fellow Georgian, shared his honor in knowing “a ‘Good Man’ who truly made a difference in a wicked world.”
Stuart E. Eizenstat, Carter’s chief domestic policy advisor, highlighted Carter’s artistic contributions, calling him “as close to a Renaissance man as we’ve had in the White House in modern times.” This was evident in his 1978 opening of the east wing of the National Gallery of Art, where he declared government’s role should be to “nourish the ground in which art and the love of art can grow,” rather than dictate artistic merit. His administration doubled the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), but his liberal stance on artistic expression also drew criticism. This later contributed to the backlash from evangelical groups, leading to his defeat in his reelection bid.
Carter’s influence extended beyond traditional political spheres. Hunter S. Thompson praised Carter’s oratory, and the former president’s appreciation for Bob Dylan’s music and philosophy was well-documented. Carter even reportedly advised Dylan on his consideration of converting to Christianity. In the visual arts, Andy Warhol created portraits of Carter, and Robert Rauschenberg contributed to *Carter’s Inaugural Impressions*. Carter himself was a painter, with his artwork later fetching a significant sum at auction. His enduring legacy encompasses his political achievements, deep commitment to humanitarian causes, and profound appreciation for the arts, leaving an indelible mark on American culture.