Alright, folks, hold onto your hats! Jimmy Carter is turning 100 in just two short months and the party planners at The Carter Center are pulling out all the stops. Imagine this: Maren Morris, GROUPLOVE, and Eric Church—all hitting the stage to honor this milestone. Yep, it’s a centennial celebration that’s got more star power than the Milky Way!
The festivities kick off on September 17th at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, just a couple of weeks shy of Carter’s actual birthday on October 1st. And let’s talk about the sponsor real quick—Delta Air Lines is sponsoring the shindig, ensuring we’re all flying high on good vibes and great music.
Expect some jaw-dropping performances as top musicians pay their respects to Carter’s enduring legacy of service and humanitarian efforts. You’ll hear from Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, The War And Treaty, and even The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. Add to this an appearance by Emmy award-winner Rickey Minor as the musical director, and you’ve got yourself a night to remember.
Adding more glitter to the gala, expect to see guest stars like Dale Murphy, Killer Mike, and Sean Penn dropping by for the celebration. When you have words of love for America like “One of the things that has held America together has been the music that we share and love,” you know the man’s got a point. So says Carter, and who are we to disagree?
The guest list is still growing, so keep your eyes peeled for more names added to the roster. Jason Carter, President Carter’s grandson and chair of the Carter Center Board of Trustees, mentioned the profound impact music has had on Carter’s life. “Whether it was on his record player, on the campaign trail, or on the White House lawn, music has been—and continues to be—a source of joy, comfort, and inspiration for my grandfather,” he said.
Chuck Leavell, the seasoned keyboardist who’s jammed with the Allman Brothers and the Rolling Stones, gave us a little historical tidbit: back in 1976, music played a role in Carter’s successful presidential campaign. Leavell spoke fondly, “Back when Jimmy Carter was running for president, the Allman Brothers played concerts for his campaign because we believed in his vision for hope and change for America.”
Leavell added, “We could never have imagined what a positive impact he would have on the entire world. It’s an honor to play at his 100th birthday and celebrate a man whose legacy will surely continue to inspire future generations.”
Carter’s upcoming centennial birthday is especially poignant given his recent health decisions. Just last year, he elected to forgo medical interventions and entered hospice care. On February 2023, he marked a year in hospice, cherishing his time with family.
The Carter family expressed their gratitude for the public’s concern and requested privacy during this intimate time. Reflecting on the past months, Jason Carter told PEOPLE, “These last several months have been surprising for all of us. But it’s been a real blessing.”
So, want to join the grand bash? Tickets are priced at $100 and go on sale August 5th at 10 a.m. via FoxTheatre.org/JimmyCarter100.
