Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song Expands Lineup with Duane Betts, Angélique Kidjo, Carlene Carter, The B-52s and More
Just over a week out from its Sept. 17 staging at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, the Carter Center has announced a massive lineup expansion for Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song. Today’s additions amplify an already stacked roster of performers set to turn out for the former president’s centenary, bringing the bill to a total of 15 musical acts and three special guest hosts. New entries to the program include Duane Betts, Angélique Kidjo, Carlene Carter and The B-52s, among others.
In addition to these stellar highlights and the initial lineup–which comprises Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, The War And Treaty, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus–the event will now also welcome BeBe Winans, India Arie and Lalah Hathaway. Beyond the music, Carter’s birthday benefit will also feature high-profile guest hosts Renée Zellweger, Dale Murphy, Sean Penn and the acclaimed rapper, activist and Dungeon Family veteran Killer Mike, who brings some home-state cred to the event alongside The B-52s, Eric Church and Carter himself.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to have been asked to take part in this event honoring President Carter,” country icon Carter offers in a release. “When my mother, June Carter, and her husband, Johnny Cash, went to visit him at the White House, I was pretty jealous, as I thought so highly of him even back then. Both he and June had suggested more than once that we were, in fact, kin, and the fact that both he and mom had that Carter ‘sparkle’ makes me think that they were related. When Jimmy Carter was our president, it was evident to me that he only wanted the best for our country and for all humankind. I look at him as a very special, spiritual soul, so when people ask if we’re related, I always respond, ‘I hope so.’”
Tickets for Jimmy Carter 100 are available now; proceeds will go to support the Carter Center, which aims to further to former president’s commitment to progress by promoting peace and supporting the health of people around the world. For access and more details, visit https://www.foxtheatre.org/events/detail/jimmy-carter-100/.