Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Last night, history was made as about 4,000 people gathered at the Fox Theatre for Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration of Song. “It’s the first time people have come together to celebrate the 100th birthday of an American president,” said Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, who at 99 is the longest living U.S. president in history. It was a star-studded evening honoring the “Rock n’ Roll President,” known for his love of music and a keen ability to bring people together.
Photograph by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
The evening kicked off with a blue carpet where the excitement ran high. “I just think we wanted to have one event that was going to allow us to share his legacy,” Jason Carter said. Former president Carter has been in hospice care for 19 months, but music continues to play an important role in his life. “That’s the role today. It’s also just the way he’s continuing to celebrate and connect,” said Jason Carter.
Photograph by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Also among the attendees was civil rights hero and former mayor Andrew Young (who is 92-years-old himself). “He loved life and found a way to love everybody, and even love his enemies and remind them of their better selves,” said Young as he reflected on Carter’s legacy. “I think he saw the whole world as God’s children and he saw himself as one of God’s children.”
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
In the theater, the evening started gently with a stirring performance of “America the Beautiful” by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. As the performances got livelier, so did the crowd. Couples danced in the aisles as famed Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Duane Betts, son of Dickey Betts, jammed out over Allman Brothers classics “Jessica” and “Blue Sky,” indie rockers Grouplove sang an impassioned rendition of U2’s “Pride (In the Name of Love),” and DJ D-Nice had everyone on their feet as he spun tunes spanning the decades. Other performers included India.Arie, Lalah Hathaway, Drive-By Truckers, The War and Treaty, and The B-52s—an eclectic mix speaking to Carter’s unifying role.
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
There were poignant moments, too. Bernice King spoke to the audience, recalling Carter’s allyship to her father Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Carter’s support in establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in 1980. “Both you and my father were honored with Grammy awards for your spoken word albums, a testament to the power of your voices,” she said. Later, actress Renee Zellweger recounted the love story of Jimmy and his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died last year at age 96. Notable figures across music and film including Dave Matthews, Jeff Daniels, and Jon Stewart sent in video clips to wish the former president well (“I’m sorry I can’t be here for this one, but I’ll be at the 200th birthday celebration, which I’m positive will happen,” quipped Stewart.)
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
Even though Carter wasn’t in attendance—he’ll stream the event on October 1, his actual birthday, on Georgia Public Broadcasting—his presence was reflected through the diverse cast of performers and speakers. “I think music is a perfect tribute, because it’s one of those fundamental human connections that brings people together across geographies, across culture, across any sort of racial dividing lines,” said Jason Carter. “You’ll have Democrats, Republicans in here tonight. You’ll have people from across the world in here tonight. And it’s a way to be together.”
Photograph courtesy of The Carter Center
