People

By Guy D. Garcia

They may have been singing Amazing Grace, but when Willie Nelson and his backup singers Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter took to the stage last week, it was Plains, Ga., that was on their minds. As a longtime friend, Nelson was there in his bushier-than-ever beard to help the Carters celebrate their hometown's 100th birthday. The party began with a five-mile road race; the former - President and still earnest jogger came in 314th out of 437 with a time of 40:35. He did better during the parade down Main Street, leading the way with Rosalynn past 7,000 cheering visitors and kinfolk. Brother Billy is both these days, and he was spotted on the edge of the crowd, having dropped by from Waycross, Ga., where he works for a mobile-home manufacturer. Glad to be home, Billy? "Not really," he grinned. "I don't get back much, except to pass through. I'm happy where I am."