Tv reporter..radio reporter...University professor..here is the bio:

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.

   

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.

 

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.

 

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 Live on the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards and Grammys in Hollywood. Jimmy has interviewed every major film star of the last 40 years . . . Eastwood, Connery,Michael Jackson, Lemmon, Redford, Costner, Stallone,Pitt,Bullock,Lionel Richie and hundreds of others! His association with all of the country stars of the last 35 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.

    

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 a very well respected class in the Mike Curb School of Music Business at Nashville's Belmont University. Belmont classes since 1993 include Artist Management taught at Belmont East in NYC and West in Burbank, PR in the Music Business and his own created Electronic Media in the Music Business. The top music executives, publishers, managers and performers all speak in Carter's classes and seminars.

 

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 ,Sara and Mary Clarke ...2 granddaughters, Stacey and Madison and a wife, Lee Ann who he met on a blind date at the beach! ...

  

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, West Point solider Harold & noted school principal 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. The exposure to 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.Racing legend Jackie Stewart,and legendary director Andy Sidaris.

Reporting on TV or radio or both, Jimmy has never stopped talking. Meeting the stars has been part of the job all the way from his first star interview in college with Bob Hope, Muhammad Ali, The Beach Boys and Gloria Steinhem to singing on stage with Peter Noone's Herman Hermits to meeting Elvis twice and eventually getting to take a bath in Graceland.(long story) 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?

  

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.

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  • JoinedFebruary 2008
  • Occupationjournalist
  • HometownMontgomery,Alabama
  • Current cityNashville,Tennessee
  • CountryUnited States

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