Jimmy
“Oxo” Carter, born on October 28, 1950, died on Wednesday,
October 16, 2024, in Burlington, Vt., where he lived most of his
life. He was an extraordinary musician, entertainer and songwriter.
His showmanship was unforgettable to anyone lucky enough to have seen
him perform during his 50-plus-year career in the northeastern U.S.
Jimmy poured his creative soul into his three bands — Sass, the
Jimmy Carter Show and Run 21. He lent his prodigious talent as a bass
player to Uncle Sam, Lita Ford, Mr. French and many other bands. He
mentored young musicians all his career.
Jimmy
combined his musical acumen and a keen understanding of what would
blow the minds of his audience — building his own disco balls,
smoke machines, flash bombs and chasing lights surrounding the stage.
He even blew fire to amaze the crowd. Every show was an entertainment
adventure, from the offstage show starter and grand entrance to the
humorous repartee and antics with his bandmates to the closing
rocking crescendo. Satiated, danced-out fans left to the crooning of
Frank Sinatra’s “One for the Road.”
Jimmy
loved his family and was devoted to his wife, Nancy, and his sons,
Jim and Evan. He took care of his family with the same creativity and
thoughtfulness that he brought to his music. His parents, Jim and
Evie Carter, who died in 1993 and 2001, were proud of his many
talents, big fans of his music and often the first to hit the dance
floor.
The
family wants to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and
support. We especially appreciate the devotion of his friend since
kindergarten, Bob Butterfield. Survivors are Nancy Goulette Carter,
the love of his life for 50 years; his two sons, Jim (Laurie) and
Evan; his grandchildren, Avery, Nora and Vivienne; his siblings,
Janet (Ro Horton), Mary, Judith (Bob McIntosh), Jon (Bridget) and
David (Tanya); his in-laws, Ann Pond (Andrew), Kenny Goulette
(Missie), David Goulette (Brenda), Kelley Goulette (Alison Prine) and
Kerrie Theye (Carlos); and many nieces and nephews.
Jimmy
died surrounded by loving family, friends and bandmates, listening to
his live version of “Hipshake.” (Search YouTube for “The Jimmy
Carter Show Reunion 2013 “Bye Bye Song.”)
A
celebration of life will be scheduled for June 2025.
Rock
on, Jimmy.
This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2024.