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Some make their
name in front of the mike or camera . . . others do it as a producer,
writer or technician. Jimmy Carter has done them all! Jimmy's
life can best be described as someone who's been sitting on the front
row. From covering Presidents to Hollywood stars and lots of things in
between.
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Since 1968, at age
15, when he started his on-the-job training at his favorite rock radio
station, Carter has taken in firsthand knowledge of what it takes to
make a successful radio and television show, from his first radio
documentary on the Beatles in '68 to his Emmy award-winning work as
Executive Producer of one of the nation's most honored television
stations, WSMV-TV Nashville. Carter has worked as a street reporter
covering civil rights, hurricanes and controversial politics in his
home state of Alabama; as a UPI award-winning television news producer
at NBC's Birmingham station; and as producer of "The Scene at Six" on
WSM-TV, a winner of virtually every award given to a TV news
department (including the coveted Dupont Columbia and Edward R. Murrow).
As Executive Producer at CBS's Houston station, his work included
coverage of everything from NASA to major airline crashes, to exciting
Texas politics.
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Jimmy Carter's Nashville credits include
an Emmy for his public service TV work and multiple Emmy nominations
for his news, children's, sports and public affairs specials. He was
the recipient of an IRIS award for his special on the celebrated
Iroquois Steeplechase. His affiliation with Barbara Mandrell
productions as a writer/producer brought about two of the highest
rated specials in The Nashville Networks history. |
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While maintaining his producing and
writing, his work covering Hollywood for the Crook and Chase/Weekend
and Weekday shows has taken him all over the world, from James Bond
premieres in London to the Academy Awards in Hollywood. Jimmy has
interviewed every major film star of the last 20 years . . .
Eastwood, Connery, Lemmon, Redford, Costner, Stallone and hundreds
of others! His association with all of the country stars of the last
20 years gives him firsthand, in-person knowledge of what the stars
are doing. Carter is with them, watching them, covering them on a
daily basis.
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Jimmy Carter has
been recognized by Who's Who in America and Who's Who in Entertainment
and, if all this isn't enough, was most recently honored by Who's Who
among America's Teachers, an honor only given to the top 5% of all
teachers. Somehow, he finds time to teach two very well respected
classes in the Mike Curb School of Music Business at Nashville's
Belmont University. The top music executives, publishers, managers and
performers all speak in Carter's classes and seminars. |
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There is no
substitute for experience! Jimmy Carter loves Nashville, Hollywood and
New York. You'll get the scoop from someone who really knows. Great
broadcast names like WSM, NBC, ABC, CBS, TNN and the BBC/Scotland
all appear on his resume.
On the personal
side, Jimmy is awash in girls! Three daughters, Michelle 25,Sara 20
and Mary Clarke 9...2 granddaughters, Stacey 5 and Madison 3 and a
wife, Lee Ann who is 30 something... |
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Jimmy was born at St
Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery Alabama, October 15,1952. His dad
was a successful lawyer and judge in Montgomery. His mom says he
was a handful." Jimmy go outside and pull a switch " If you
never heard that from your mom you don't know what you missed!
Two brothers who were a good bit older,
Harold & David and five years later a little sister, Kathy.
Lots of Aunts and Uncles.
Jimmy lived in Montgomery until college but vacationed around the
United States with his parents getting to see the East and west coast
and points in between in what people did in the late 50's and early
60's car trips like in the movie Vacation. Florida was on those
trips too. |
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the rest of the US made the tall skinny Montgomery boy want to keep
visiting the sites and he has never stopped. His best pals then are
still his best pals. Steve Van Gilder from his 11th grade rock
band.. Ben Glass from kindergarten. After
high school where he got Wittiest in his Senior Class, Jimmy choose
Auburn University because they were developing a campus radio
station. From day one he was there physically naming and helping to
build what was to become WEGL-FM. From there on the primetime early
evening shift it was on to other radio jobs and a lucky gig with ABC
TV Sports. Working as a runner then graphics artist and general
assistant ,The Wide World of Sports ruined Jimmy forever. Once you
go there you never want anything else but a life in broadcasting.
Even got to work in the booth with Howard Cosell. |
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or both, Jimmy has never stopped talking. Meeting the stars has been
part of the job all the way from his first star interview with Bob
Hope to singing on stage with Peter Noone's Herman Hermits to
meeting Elvis twice and eventually getting to take a bath in
Graceland. These stories will have to be put together in a book. So
stay tuned for that. The Title? See what you think of this: I got
Naked in Graceland and other True Show Biz stories by Jimmy Carter.
Well? Does that make you want to read it? |
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20 Questions for
Jimmy Carter
1.) How
did you manage to find a job at 15 in a rock radio station? My
neighbor's OWNED a big rock station so i got to hang out,answer
the phone etc...it shows you have to know someone if
possible!!!!!
2.) Do
you believe that an education is important to excel in this
field? Education
is critical to do anything! You have to do more than just sit in
class. You need to have a desire to learn and learn more all the
time. never met a famous person who was a dim bulb!
3.) If
you could choose a different career what would you choose and
why? Broadcasting
is actually a horrible career! I love it and could NOT imagine
doing anything else BUT it is so competitive,has a lot of psycho
people in it and is horribly managed.
4.) How
many hours do you work per week? easily
60 often more..BUT its not all heavy work. Often just LONG hours
and long days.
5.) What
aspect of your career from producing, writing, to being a
technician has been the
most rewarding? on
air is the fun part. you spend so much time in prep work.
Raising money as a telethon producer was the most rewarding. I
did and do get a lot out of telling people about important
things during power blackouts, hurricane aftermath etc.
Sometimes you are the only window on the outside world!
6.) Would
you recommend your job to someone else? Why? or Why Not? It
is a dream job but a unique one. I work three jobs and most
people don't want to work that hard! Teaching, Radio and TV is a
full plate. The job security is non existent. The crazy people
who are in the business are not a fun part of the job.
7.) Do
you believe that working in the media is about who you know and
not what you know? It
ultimately is WHAT you know but you better have a WHO you know
or you will never get a chance to find out!
8.) Who
is your all time favorite star to interview? Robin
Williams ..its a real art of hog-tying that guy!
9.)
Besides your exciting bath at Graceland, tell me another
exciting adventure you can
share? Going
to a royal premiere of a James Bond movie and sitting near
Princess Diana, Walking through the cells of Alcatraz with Sean
Connery, Meeting Elvis and not being able to talk ( star
struck), Going into the Oval Office with President Carter
several times.
10.) When
is your book I
got naked in Graceland going
to be for sale?Unknown..can't
decide about what to tell and what not:) There are stories
involving a murder-suicide in Ohio that involves a Playboy
centerfold!
11.) Are
you publishing the book yourself? Unknown
12.) Have
you written or published any other books? Takes
to much time and only in the last few years have I enjoyed
writing. I need an editor BAD!
13.) Do
you like having a famous name like our former president Jimmy
Carter? I
get tired of it sometimes BUT people do remember your name.
14.) What
is your favorite magazine to read? Do you subscribe? I
love newspapers and magaziner but read almost everything online
now. So don't read the hard copies like I used to. USA Today is
one of the few I see while traveling.
15.)
Since you know so many people, do you get a lot of Christmas and
Birthday cards? I
have moved WAY too many times. An occupational hazard. A divorce
doesn't help that. Again, The internet helps a lot in
reattaching to lost people. I love Christmas but low key the
birthday. Always have.
16.) What
star is the most down to earth? Tim
McGraw in Country Music...Hollywood? Hmmmm.....Not sure any are
really down to earth but some are much more approachable than
others. Jay Leno used to hold the record here.He's a bit more
stuffy now though.
17.) Do
you think that woman are just as successful as men in the
journalism industry? Hard
to find any MEN in the business now. Go try to hire one! Men
left the business because they could make more money almost in
any other career Women have filled the void.
18.) If I
took a vacation to Nashville Tennessee-What would you recommend
for
entertainment? You
might be bored but you have to see The Grand Old Opry at least
once.
19.)
Where is the best place to accidentally "run into" Sam Elliott? At
a Farmer's Supply place near his farm/ranch.
20.) What
has been your greatest accomplishment? Making
people laugh and feel good because of my job. Overall in general
that's true. Specifically, raising some good children and saving
the life of a 5 year old girl who drowned in Montgomery,
Alabama. Giving her life back was my greatest God given gift.
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