Chuck Leavell remembers when he and the remainder of the Allman Brothers Band heard that Gov. Jimmy Carter of Georgia needed to drop by and go to them at Capricorn Studios in Macon in 1973, when Southern rock teams have been on the rise.
They figured it was only a picture op.
“The truth is, he stayed like two hours,” stated Mr. Leavell, a keyboardist who was 21 on the time and had little acquaintance with politics. “He listened. He was actually into the music we have been doing. He requested questions concerning the recording course of, the state of the music enterprise. He expressed his love for the music.”
That session was the start of a permanent relationship between the uptight Southern Baptist and the hard-partying band well-known for its iconic slide guitar sound, prolonged live performance jams and hits corresponding to “Ramblin’ Man.” The connection proved significantly useful when Mr. Carter ran for president a couple of years later and the Allman Brothers have been arguably the most well liked band within the nation.
On the lookout for assist constructing what appeared a quixotic quest on the time, Mr. Carter enlisted the band as companions in fund-raising at a profit live performance on Nov. 25, 1975, in Windfall, R.I.
“To start with, I’m working for president,” Mr. Carter instructed the gang on the civic heart, most of whom most likely had little thought who he was. “Secondly, I’m going to be elected. Third, this is essential: I want your assist. Will you assist me? Fourth, I need to introduce you to my pals and your mates, those who’re going to assist me get elected together with you, the nice Allman Brothers.”
The live performance went on to generate a reported $60,000 and offered a money infusion for the marketing campaign within the Iowa caucuses, which helped propel Mr. Carter to the White Home.
“We knew the results,” stated Mr. Leavell, who was invited by the Carter household to attend Mr. Carter’s state funeral in Washington on Thursday. “It was the primary time that they had matching funds in a presidential marketing campaign.”
Different Southern rock teams such because the Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels additionally carried out on behalf of Mr. Carter, however the early tie to the Allman Brothers was seen as pivotal in these important days.
“We believed in him 100%,” stated Mr. Leavell, who went on to start out his personal band after the Allman Brothers broke up and is the longtime principal keyboardist and musical director for the Rolling Stones. “We have been hopeful and Carter appeared to supply that hope. He was real. You might simply inform he meant what he stated. There was no B.S. in any of it.”
And he stated there was no conflict between the famously strait-laced candidate and the members of a band that was something however puritanical.
“He didn’t look down upon us or anyone else who may need been doing what we have been doing as musicians and artists,” stated Mr. Leavell, noting that Mr. Carter didn’t disavow Gregg Allman even when he obtained caught up in a drug trafficking trial simply earlier than the presidential election. “Carter didn’t disown him. He didn’t throw him out within the again yard. He remained pals with Gregg.”
In addition to his outstanding profession in music, Mr. Leavell has additionally grow to be often called a frontrunner in forestry practices and conservation at a plantation on land belonging to the household of his spouse, Rose Lane White Leavell, exterior Macon, the place they hosted Mr. Carter and his spouse, Rosalynn.
“We rode by the woods and talked about bushes and the property,” recalled Mr. Leavell, pleased with his lengthy affiliation with the previous president and the jump-start the band offered. “He actually served as a job mannequin for leaders and politicians.”
