NEW Episode: The 1600 Sessions Podcast “Presidential Vinyl: The White House Record Library”
Gallery
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This photograph by the National Park Service's Abbie Rowe is of President Richard M. Nixon and Duke Ellington and was taken on April 29, 1969 during a program honoring Ellington's seventieth birthday. Ellington (1899-1974) was a prolific musician, composer and band leader who wrote numerous songs that became classics of American jazz. At this celebration, Ellington was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to American music.
National Archives and Records Administration -
This photograph of President Jimmy Carter on stage at a White House jazz concert was taken on June 18, 1978. Carter appears in the photograph with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie (center) and percussionist Max Roach (right), performing Gillespie's tune "Salt Peanuts." The concert marked the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival and featured such jazz greats as Roy Eldridge, Chick Corea, and George Benson. John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie is known as one of the greatest jazz musicians in American musical history. He helped originate the style of bebop and was prominent in the Afro-Cuban music movement. Roach was also a significant figure in the development of bebop and a highly influential drummer as well as a composer.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
Washington, D.C. —
The White House Historical Association released a new episode of the 1600 Sessions podcast today, “Presidential Vinyl: The White House Record Library,” which details the fascinating story of the little-known White House record collection built during the administrations of Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter.
In this episode, Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks with writer/filmmaker John Chuldenko, the grandson of President Jimmy Carter, about his discovery of the forgotten collection of more than 2,000 vinyl records donated by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The Library, begun by First Lady Pat Nixon, was curated by a volunteer commission of noted music journalists, scholars, and other experts on a variety of different genres that included classical, jazz, country, folk, gospel and spoken-word recordings. As a time capsule of 1970s musical tastes and trends, it ranges from Pat Boone, Barry Manilow and John Denver to the Beatles, Isaac Hayes, The Clash and Elvis Costello.
“It was always intended as a communication device,” said Chuldenko. “It reflects the American people, what's going on outside on Pennsylvania Avenue, what's going on outside in the country.”
“My grandparents have always had a very special connection to music,” he added. “You can see it when they dance at weddings, you can see it at home. So it's no wonder that they would take that love for music into the White House with them.”
The 1600 Sessions is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
To hear the full episode, visit The1600sessions.org.
For more information, please contact press@whha.org.
The 1600 Sessions
In this podcast series, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews luminaries, historians, and eyewitnesses to history about America’s most famous residence and office—the White House. Each episode includes a prominent guest or guests to discuss varying facets of White House history, including insights from former staff and many other topical issues.
P.D.F. Resources
Download the PDFAbout the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.