Veteran Nashville journalist Jimmy Carter spent more than two decades at WSMV Channel 4 and became a familiar voice on WSM Radio’s Coffee, Country & Cody program.
Jimmy Carter, a veteran country music and entertainment journalist who spent decades covering Nashville’s music industry, has died at 73, according to an announcement by WSMV on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
Carter reportedly died in his sleep at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, Oct. 13. His granddaughter, Kira Sparks, confirmed his death in a statement, expressing the family’s grief over the loss of their beloved grandfather.
The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by the family.
Carter is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His death has prompted tributes from colleagues and the broadcasting community, where he was known for his extensive knowledge of country music, engaging interviews and longstanding relationships with artists.
WSM Radio Pays Tribute to Jimmy Carter
WSM Radio paid tribute to Carter following the announcement, remembering him as a valued member of its broadcasting family. The station highlighted his dedication to country music and his ability to connect with performers, listeners and fellow journalists.
Carter was a familiar presence on WSM Radio’s morning program, Coffee, Country & Cody, where he shared entertainment news, industry insights and stories about the people shaping country music.
His warm personality, sense of humor and enthusiasm for storytelling helped establish his reputation in Nashville’s entertainment community. Beyond reporting, he built lasting professional relationships with musicians, performers and other industry figures.
The station also extended its condolences to Carter’s family and loved ones, recognizing his contributions to WSM, country music and Nashville’s wider media industry.
More Than Two Decades at WSMV Channel 4
Carter spent more than two decades working at WSMV Channel 4 in Nashville, serving as an entertainment reporter and executive producer. His roles gave him opportunities to contribute to television journalism while covering developments across the entertainment industry.
Over the course of his career, Carter interviewed prominent figures from country music, film and television. His interview subjects included Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner and Sylvester Stallone.
These interviews reflected the breadth of his work, which extended beyond country music to include personalities from across the entertainment world.
Carter’s industry knowledge and ability to engage with high-profile figures helped him build a strong professional network in Nashville, a city widely recognized for its country music heritage. Through television reporting and radio broadcasting, he brought audiences closer to the artists and entertainers they followed.
Remembering Carter’s Broadcasting Legacy
Carter’s career combined television journalism, radio broadcasting and a longstanding interest in country music. His work on WSMV and WSM Radio made him a familiar figure to audiences who followed Nashville’s entertainment scene.
His colleagues remembered him for his dedication, approachable manner and commitment to sharing stories about musicians and other public figures.
His death marks the loss of a veteran broadcaster whose career spanned more than two decades at WSMV and included a prominent role on WSM Radio’s morning programming.
As family, friends and colleagues mourn his passing, Carter’s interviews, reporting and relationships across the entertainment industry remain central to the legacy described in tributes following his death.
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