Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President

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Before Jimmy Carter was President of the United States, the Allman Brothers crashed at his house and Bob Dylan dropped by for breakfast.

He’s the only known President to have a guest (Willie Nelson) smoke pot on the roof of the White House (with Carter’s son Chip!).

Trailer for “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President”

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Ratings:

  • My Rating: 95/100
  • IMDB Rating: /10
  • Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: /100 (Users); /100 (Critics)

Release Date: September 9, 2020

My Review of “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President”

The Setup

“Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President” is a 96-minute documentary directed by Mary Wharton (known for “Sam Cooke: Legend”, “Tom Petty Somewhere You Feel Free”, “Elvis Lives!” and “Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound”).

The doc explores how Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, leveraged his love of music—particularly rock, blues, jazz, and country—to connect with Americans, win the presidency, and even shape policy.

You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up

  • The account of Willie Nelson smoking weed on the roof of the White House originates from his 1988 autobiography, “Willie: An Autobiography.” In the book, Nelson described sharing a joint with an unnamed individual, whom he referred to as a “servant” to protect their identity. Carter reveals in the doc that the unnamed individual was actually his son, James “Chip” Carter. Chip himself later confirmed it.
  • Carter was an actual music nerd, not just a casual fan—he could recite entire Dylan lyrics from memory.

More Highlights from the Doc

  • Carter had musicians like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and the Allman Brothers Band as personal friends, not just campaign allies.
  • “The Allman Brothers put me in the White House raising money when I didn’t have any.” — Jimmy Carter.
  • Carter first met Bob Dylan in 1974, and Dylan admitted he never expected a politician to actually “mean what he says.” Their friendship lasted for decades.
  • The Allman Brothers Band became the soundtrack to Carter’s campaign, even helping fundraise when he was struggling.
  • The doc digs into how Carter’s presidency was plagued by inflation, an energy crisis, and the Iran hostage situation—but through it all, music remained a major part of his public image.
  • Interviews with musicians show genuine affection for Carter, portraying him as a rare politician who truly got their world.
  • The film connects Carter’s love of music with his humanitarian work post-presidency, showing how he used artists to help in efforts like Habitat for Humanity and international diplomacy.
  • Carter’s campaign team used concerts as fundraisers, and artists like Jimmy Buffett played directly at his events.
  • Despite being a deeply religious man, Carter saw no contradiction between gospel music and rock ‘n’ roll, embracing both equally.
  • At the White House, he hosted performances by everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Loretta Lynn.

Cameos

This doc is packed with rock and country royalty, including:

  • Bob Dylan
  • Willie Nelson
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Bono
  • Gregg Allman
  • Garth Brooks
  • Rosanne Cash
  • Trisha Yearwood
  • Paul Simon

Lesser-Known Details from the Doc

  • His administration had an official “music advisor” who helped organize White House concerts.
  • Dizzy Gillespie jokingly asked Carter to “appoint him ambassador to Africa,” and Carter played along, giving him a mock appointment.
  • Carter’s close bond with music extended into his post-presidency, where he often quoted song lyrics in speeches.
  • Bob Dylan described Carter with words that sound straight out of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song:

“I think of him as a Simple Man like the Lynyrd Skynyrd song. He takes his time. He doesn’t live too fast. Troubles come but it’ll pass. Find the woman and find love. And don’t forget there’s somebody above. There’s many sides to him. He’s a nuclear engineer. Woodworking carpenter. He’s also a poet. He’s a dirt farmer. If you told me he’s a race car driver, I wouldn’t be surprised.” — Bob Dylan on Jimmy Carter

Wrap Up

This doc is an unexpected gem, blending politics, history, and music in a way that makes Carter seem like the coolest president of all time. If you love music and want a fresh angle on history, “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President” is a must-watch.

Thanks for reading!

Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc

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