Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, leaving behind a profound legacy rooted in peace, human rights, and global diplomacy. Throughout his life — both in and out of the White House — Carter was a symbol of compassion and humility. Known for his genuine friendships and cultural openness, he even earned the affectionate nickname “Rock and Roll President” due to his close ties with artists like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
In a poignant tribute, country music’s beloved duo, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, honored the late president with a stirring rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Their performance was a highlight of the memorial service held on January 9 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where leaders from across the political spectrum, including President Joe Biden, gathered to celebrate Carter’s life and legacy.
As Brooks began to sing, his visible emotion reflected the weight of the moment. Joined by Yearwood, the couple’s harmonies rang out through the cathedral, their voices gently weaving through Lennon’s vision of unity and peace: “Imagine all the people / Livin’ life in peace…” The song choice, though surprising to some due to its secular message, resonated with many as a fitting tribute to Carter’s lifelong commitment to compassion and nonviolence.
This wasn’t the first time Brooks and Yearwood offered this musical gesture of peace to the Carter family. Just over a year earlier, they performed the same song during the funeral service for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at Emory University in Atlanta. That performance, like this one, served as a musical reflection of the couple’s shared values and enduring love.
While a handful of social media voices questioned the appropriateness of “Imagine” given Carter’s devout Christian beliefs, the song’s overarching message — of hope, harmony, and global unity — aligned closely with the themes President Biden highlighted in his heartfelt eulogy.
“Today, many think he was from a bygone era,” Biden said. “But in reality, he saw well into the future.”
In honoring Jimmy Carter with such an emotionally charged and symbolic performance, Brooks and Yearwood reminded the nation — and the world — of Carter’s unwavering dream: a world where peace and empathy guide our every action.
