Now, everyone, get your hats! In only two months, Jimmy Carter will turn 100, and The Carter Center’s party planners are going all out. Imagine Eric Church, Maren Morris, and GROUPLOVE all performing live to celebrate this significant occasion. Indeed, this centennial celebration boasts a star power greater than that of the Milky Way!
Three weeks before Carter’s actual birthday on October 1st, the celebrations begin on September 17th at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. Let’s quickly discuss the event’s sponsor, Delta Air Lines, who is making sure that everyone is enjoying fantastic music and positive vibes.
Top musicians will honor Carter’s enduring legacy of service and humanitarian endeavors with some incredible performances. Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Eric Church, Drive-By Truckers, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, The War and Treaty, and even the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus will be performing. You can make it a night to remember by include the musical director, Rickey Minor, who has won an Emmy.
Expect guest stars like Sean Penn, Killer Mike, and Dale Murphy to attend the event, adding even more glitz to the feast. You know a man has a point when he says something like, “One of the things that has held America together has been the music that we share and love.” Carter makes this claim, and who are we to disagree?
There are still more names being added to the guest list, so keep checking back. President Carter’s grandson Jason Carter, who chairs the Carter Center Board of Trustees, spoke on the significant influence music has had on his life. Music has been and still is a source of inspiration, happiness, and solace for his grandfather, he added, whether he was listening to records on his record player, running for office, or just relaxing on the White House lawn.
Experienced keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who has performed with the Rolling Stones and Allman Brothers, shared with us a small historical fact: in 1976, music contributed to Jimmy Carter’s successful presidential campaign. “The Allman Brothers performed concerts for Jimmy Carter’s campaign back when he was running for president because we believed in his vision for hope and change for America,” said Leavell with fondness.
Leavell went on, “We had no idea how much of a wonderful influence he would have on the entire world. Playing at his 100th birthday is a privilege as we salute a man whose influence will undoubtedly last for many more generations.
The approaching centennial of Carter makes his choices regarding his health all the more relevant. He decided to forgo medical procedures and join hospice care just a year ago. He cherished his time with family and celebrated one year in hospice care in February of 2023.
The Carter family asked for privacy at this private period and thanked the public for their care. “These last several months have been surprising for all of us,” Jason Carter said to PEOPLE as he thought back on the previous few months. However, it has truly been a blessing.
