Statement from President Carter on the Passing of Gregg Allman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Rosalynn and I were deeply saddened when we learned that Gregg Allman had passed. I met Gregg through Phil Walden of Capricorn Records, which was headquartered in Macon. Gregg and the Allman Brothers Band were very helpful to me in my 1976 presidential campaign. Gregg Allman was better known than I was at that time. The band got the campaign political attention and raised much needed funds. In those days, raising funds for a presidential campaign was very difficult. The maximum anyone could donate to a primary campaign was $1000, and corporations could not donate anything directly to a candidate. At many concerts the Allman Brothers Band held for me, the people who attended would donate the ticket price to the campaign and then the federal government matched that amount. Gregg Allman was there when I needed him and Rosalynn, and I have always been grateful to him. I was very proud to participate in Mercer’s awarding Gregg an honorary doctorate, and will attend the funeral to show my respect and concern.