During his presidency, Jimmy Carter welcomed a host of notable figures to the White House, but one of the more surprising anecdotes from his time in office involves country music legend Willie Nelson. The story unfolds amidst a backdrop of musical history and personal friendships that connect the former president with some of the biggest names in the industry.
In 1977, the Carter administration played host to renowned musicians Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, who visited the White House with their son, John. This visit was one of many that showcased Carter’s appreciation for the arts and his connection to the music community. As noted by the White House Historical Association, Carter later reminisced about his bond with the Cash family during a speech promoting the Help through Industry Retraining and Employment program. Interestingly, Carter also revealed that he and June Carter Cash were distant cousins, adding a personal touch to their visit.
Fast forward to January 2022, when Chuck Berry’s official Twitter account shared a heartwarming photo of Carter alongside Berry and other Black musicians on the White House lawn. This image was part of a celebration honoring Carter’s recognition of the contributions of Black artists to American music. In 1979, Carter declared June as Black Music Appreciation Month, marking a significant moment in the celebration of Black culture. Berry’s account highlighted the first-ever Black Music Month celebration, which drew a crowd of prominent Black celebrities, including Berry himself.
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However, one of the most intriguing tales from Carter’s presidency involves Willie Nelson and a clandestine encounter on the roof of the White House. In his 1988 autobiography, Nelson recounted a memorable visit where he smoked marijuana on the roof with a companion, keeping the identity of his smoking partner under wraps for years. When asked about the incident in a 2015 interview with GQ, Nelson playfully dodged the question, saying he couldn’t remember who it was. “I’m trying to find out who that was with me up there,” he said, adding a light-hearted, “Wasn’t me and you, was it?”
The 2020 documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President” delved into Carter’s love for music and his interactions with various artists, including Nelson. During the film, Carter clarified that while Nelson suggested in his memoir that a White House staff member was his smoking buddy, it was, in fact, Carter’s son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III. “That is not exactly true,” Carter remarked. “It actually was one of my sons, which [Nelson] didn’t want to categorize as a pot-smoker like him.” When contacted for comment, Chip revealed that Nelson had asked him not to disclose their smoke session, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
The friendship between Willie Nelson and Jimmy Carter ran deep, characterized by shared experiences and mutual respect. In a 2020 interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Nelson spoke fondly of his relationship with the former president and his wife, Rosalynn. He reminisced about how they attended his concerts for years, often joining in on gospel songs. “It was great,” Nelson said when asked about his time at the White House. “Jimmy and I would jog together and hang out. His son [Chip] and I hung out together at the White House. We had a lot of fun.”
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The conversation soon turned to the infamous smoke session on the White House roof, which Nelson described as a spontaneous adventure following a tour of the mansion led by Chip. “We went up on the roof and looked around, and that was pretty cool,” he recalled. Nelson emphasized that Carter was aware of their youthful antics, stating, “He knew me, he knew Chip. He knew we were just kids running around having way too much fun.”
In a separate appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2015, Nelson referred to Carter as “a real close friend.” He humorously noted that he had forgotten to inform Carter about their rooftop rendezvous, highlighting the playful nature of their friendship. This light-hearted banter paints a picture of a president who was not only a leader but also a friend to some of the most iconic figures in music history.
As the stories of Willie Nelson and Jimmy Carter continue to emerge, they remind us of the unique connections that can form between public figures and the unexpected moments that can occur behind the scenes in the worlds of politics and entertainment.
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