When you think about Jimmy Carter, rock ’n’ roll might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the 39 th President of the United States was a big music fan, used it as a way to connect with voters,

The Allman Brothers kick-started his candidacy and Willie Nelson smoked marijuana at the White House. Mr. Carter’s tastes were a confluence of strategy, generational change and forthright appreciation.

“Musicians don’t always feel safe with somebody except other musicians,” Chris Farrell, the lead producer of the 2020 documentary “ Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President ,” told Variety. “His authenticity definitely played a great role in his ability to connect with musicians.”

Good morning. Jimmy Carter dies. The US economy surprises, again, despite election uncertainty and high interest rates. And the Mega Millions jackpot winner faces some big choices. Listen to the day’s top stories.

A young Jimmy Carter was no stranger to gospel music growing up in the small rural town of Plains, Georgia during the ’20s and early ’30'. He heard it sung by Black tenant farmers working on his father's land.