Jimmy Carter, a familiar face on Nashville’s red carpets and a longtime entertainment reporter for WSMV Channel 4, died on October 13 at the age of 73. His death was announced by former employer WSM Radio and his granddaughter, Kira Sparks, in Facebook posts.
Carter spent a total of 21 years working with Channel 4, covering major entertainment events, award ceremonies, movie premieres and activities across Nashville’s music industry. According to his website, AskJimmyCarter.com, he first worked at the station for six years during the 1980s before returning for another 15-year period from 2003 to 2018.
His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues who remembered him as a talented broadcaster and a much-loved member of Nashville’s media community.
Channel 4 meteorologist Melanie Layden shared her sadness on Facebook, remembering Carter as a familiar presence during the station’s most memorable years.
“So sad to hear the news that my friend and our beloved WSMV entertainment reporter Jimmy Carter has died,” Layden wrote. She recalled how he covered red carpets, award shows, major music events and movie premieres throughout his career.
Former Channel 4 anchor Demetria Kalodimos also expressed shock and sadness over his death, praising Carter’s skills as a journalist and broadcaster.
Kalodimos noted that he had established himself as a talented communicator long before building a reputation for entertainment reporting in Nashville and beyond. She also highlighted his work alongside Dan Miller in creating the well-known Miller and Co. program.
Carter’s broadcasting career continued even after he left Channel 4 in 2018. According to Kalodimos, he kept supplying radio and television stations across the country with entertainment content rather than stepping away from the industry entirely.
She remembered him as someone who genuinely enjoyed connecting with people and had a natural ability to communicate with warmth and humour.
In her tribute, Kalodimos also extended her condolences to Carter’s family, including his daughters and grandchildren, describing him as a remarkable person who was impossible to replace.
Carter leaves behind a legacy of decades in broadcasting and entertainment journalism, along with lasting memories among colleagues and audiences who followed his work in Nashville and beyond.
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