NPR: “ALAN PAUL: This is Alan Paul. I’m biographer of The Allman Brothers Band. When Jimmy Carter began his campaign for president – and it was a real long shot – he had virtually no money at the start. What he did have was really good relationships with Phil Walden, who was the manager of The Allman Brothers Band, who were riding high. In 1974, they were the most popular band in the country, had their first big hit – “Ramblin’ Man”….
PAUL: The biggest direct lift that The Allman Brothers Band gave to the Jimmy Carter campaign was this benefit concert that they had in Providence, R.I., at the Civic Center on November 25, 1975, just a couple of months before the Iowa caucuses….
PAUL: Jimmy Carter’s like a breath of fresh air coming out of Georgia, and he’s sweeping the country, people. And then Jimmy Carter came walking out on the stage. Tom Beard, who was working with him, that afternoon had reminded the candidate, Governor Carter, the people are coming to see The Allman Brothers. Remember, don’t talk too long.
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CARTER: Thank you.
PAUL: You know, mostly, people didn’t buy tickets to come to the Jimmy Carter benefit. They bought tickets to come see The Allman Brothers.
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CARTER: I’m going want to say four things.
PAUL: He held his fingers in the air – one.
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CARTER: First of all, I’m running for president.
PAUL: He had the second finger up in the air.
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CARTER: Secondly, I’m going to be elected.
PAUL: He held a third finger up in the air.
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CARTER: Third, this is very important. I need your help. Will you help me?
PAUL: He held a fourth finger up in the air.
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CARTER: Thank you. And fourth, I want to introduce to you my friends and your friends, the ones that are going to help me get elected along with you – the great Allman Brothers.”