Cary Hudson, Frank Coutch, and Laurie Stirratt, collectively known as the band Blue Mountain, in Oxford, Mississippi, 1992. Photograph by Newt Rayburn © 1992.
Back early 1990s, Oxford, Mississippi had one hell of a terrific original music scene and the Roots Rock band Blue Mountain was at the forefront. Around 1994, the band was signed to national label Roadrunner Records and they released the album “Dog Days,” which featured a raucous, barnburner of a song called “Jimmy Carter,” a tune about the 39th President of the United States of America.
President Jimmy Carter passed away December 29, 2024, and it seems appropriate to revisit this classic Alt.Country song. Blue Mountain were not known as a political band, so these lyrics were atypical of their style. However, Jimmy Carter was a beloved Southern politician and whenever politics is discussed, opinions fly! Love him or hate him, Jimmy Carter was elected President and he left his mark on the world.
One of the most asked questions about Blue Mountain’s song is, “I wonder if Jimmy Carter ever heard this song?” The answer is “Yes, he did!”
In late February of 1996, the band received a letter out of the blue from the former President himself.
According to bassist Laurie Stirratt, a courier delivered the letter to the band before a show at the Dark Horse Tavern in Atlanta.
“I just learned, after reading an article in the Atlanta-Journal, that you have been performing at the Dark Horse Tavern in Atlanta,” Jimmy Carter wrote. “I regret that my schedule won’t allow me to catch any of your performances, but I wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed your CD Dog Days, especially the song about the peanut farmer.”
“Rosalyn joins me in sending all of you our thanks and warm best wishes,” Carter continued. “Sincerely, Jimmy Carter.”
Without further ado, here is the song “Jimmy Carter” by Blue Mountain.
“Jimmy Carter” by Blue Mountain
by Cary Hudson, Laurie Stirratt, and Frank Coutch
Lyrics:
In the bicentennial summer
of our faded glory land
a bright new face
appeared upon the scene
Of an honest peanut farmer
by the name of Jimmy Carter
His eyes were set on
every school boys dream
Well the odds were stacked against him
but he was not afraid to fight
the mighty fascist empire
lined up on the right
So shake the hand of the man
with a handful of love
the one and only
Jimmy Carter
There was joy throughout the nation
at that great inauguration
the GOP stood shakin in their shoes
Serenaded by Willie
and toasted by Billy
this president with
honest peanut roots
Well he said I’d never lie to you
and what’s more he never did
Though the times grew mighty tough
he never flipped his lid
So shake the hand of the man
with a hand full of love
The one and only
Jimmy Carter
Special thanks to Lisa Howorth, who encouraged me to write this.
What an honor. You’ll read of my similar experience in my next column in “The Local Voice”. I have been weeping – yes, weeping – every day since his death. He was a north star for me and always will be. Look up the word “integrity” in the dictionary. You will find Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter’s picture there.
What an honor. You’ll read of my similar experience in my next column in “The Local Voice”. I have been weeping – yes, weeping – every day since his death. He was a north star for me and always will be. Look up the word “integrity” in the dictionary. You will find Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter’s picture there.