Music

HONORING JIMMY CARTER: ‘LAST SUNDAYS IN PLAINS: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION’

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2024

(Nashville, Tennessee – August, 29, 2024) Just one month before Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, Virgin Music has released Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration. The project features recordings from President Carter’s final Sunday School lessons delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church, in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Carter speaks about the importance of love, kindness, forgiveness, and reconciliation. His moving lessons are paired with stirring music.

“Let’s celebrate and honor President Carter’s remarkable wisdom through the jubilant power of music. His teachings have inspired us all. Music is a perfect medium to express the joy and gratitude we feel for him,” said Kabir Sehgal, a longtime Carter family friend who orchestrated the music.

**Rosalynn Carter,** longtime Carter family friend who orchestrated the music, **Kabir Sehgal**, and **Jimmy Carter.**

Interspersed with the president’s inspirational words of comfort and peace are soulful performances from acclaimed artists from the worlds of soul, blues, country, pop, and jazz. Jon Batiste, Keb’ Mo’, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, and Nicole Zuraitis provide dazzling performances that speak to President Carter’s extraordinary legacy of political decency, personal spirituality, and ardent patriotism.

“My hope is this project shines a light on his incredible legacy and unites families together to relish in the beauty of life together,” says Darius Rucker.

“Jimmy Carter’s legacy of kindness and dedication to humanity will endure, reminding us all of the impact one person’s love can have on the world,” says LeAnn Rimes.

The production team includes Grammy-winners Doug Davis, Steve Schnur, Sehgal with members of the Carter Family and The Carter Center. Jonathan Alter, Carter’s biographer, and Sehgal wrote extensive liner notes.

“I would like our presidential candidates to keep our country at peace, and to be champions of human rights, of environmental quality, and of equality,” Jimmy Carter explains on the recording. “Aren’t those things you would like to have? It puts the responsibility on us as Americans to make our country better by helping to give somebody else a better life.”