Former President Jimmy Carter has posthumously received a Grammy Award for his work in the audiobook, narration, and storytelling category. Carter, who passed away in December at the age of 100, was nominated for his recording of “Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration”. The album features recordings of his final Sunday School lessons delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Notable musicians such as Darius Rucker, Lee Ann Rimes, and Jon Batiste contributed to the project.
This posthumous Grammy marks Carter’s fourth win. His previous three Grammys were in the spoken word album category. Had Carter won the award during his lifetime, he would have become the oldest Grammy recipient in history. The current record for the oldest winner is held by Pinetop Perkins, who won at age 97 in 2011.
The Grammy was accepted by Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, who expressed his gratitude for the recognition. In his acceptance speech, Jason Carter said, “Having his words captured in this way for my family and for the world is truly remarkable. Thank you to the academy.”
In the category, Jimmy Carter defeated other prominent nominees, including Barbra Streisand, George Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Mike Oldfield. Had Streisand won, it would have marked her first Grammy win in 38 years.
Other former U.S. Presidents who have received Grammy awards include Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, both with two wins each. Former First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have also won Grammys. Notably, former Presidents Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon were nominated for Grammys but did not win.
Carter’s Grammy recognition highlights not only his legacy in politics but also his contributions to storytelling and his lasting impact in various cultural spheres.
