Oh, Wow, Documentary Coming soon: "Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President"

[hlthe2b]

This looks really special. I'm so glad they did it now. Love ya, Jimmy

"Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President": A loving relationship to music that "cuts through politics"

"Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President" is director Mary Wharton's delightful documentary that pays tribute to the 39th (and most peaceful) American president. The film opens in Plains, Georgia, 2018, with Carter smiling and listening to Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." The film shows how Dylan, along with Carter's friends Greg Allman, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, and Charlie Daniels were instrumental in helping him get elected. It was not just that concerts that doubled as fundraisers could help buy political advertising, Carter appealed to younger voters who were tired of Nixon and Ford. Hell, even Hunter S. Thompson was impressed enough to follow and endorse Carter.

This may not be a groundbreaking concept, but Wharton's film explores how music reflects society, and how Carter's efforts as a civil rights leader made him an appealing candidate who used soft power — music — to win hearts and minds.

Wharton's film is chock-full of anecdotes by Carter and his famous musical friends. In addition to Dylan, Allman, Buffett and Nelson, interviewees include Nile Rodgers, Rosanne Cash, Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood, and, inexplicably, Bono. But equally enjoyable are the concert scenes that range from Aretha Franklin performing "America the Beautiful" at Carter's inauguration to Loretta Lynn singing "Coal Miner's Daughter" for Deng Xiaoping, to Carter himself performing "Salt Peanuts" with Dizzy Gillespie.

"Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President" isn't just about music, but does touch on the Iran hostage situation, but also Carter's Peace Treaty with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin. The film also includes his post-Presidential life and his work with the Carter Center and for Habitat for Humanity.

https://www.salon.com/2020/09/08/jimmy-carter-rock-and-roll-president-allman-brothers-willie-nelson/

[Rhiannon12866]

1. He really is familiar with and a fan of all kinds of music

I have his autobiography and he talks about rooming with a classical musician at Annapolis and spending their extra money on a collection of opera records which they played at loud volume while other students listened outside their door. And he also brought all manner of musicians to entertain at the White House, including classical musicians whose work he was familiar with. President Carter really is a man for all seasons...