(established 2006; last updated 2/27/16)
Bill
Carter has long been a renowned songwriter from the Austin, TX area.
His earliest connection with Johnny Depp was his
participation as a
co-guitarist and co-bassist along with Johnny in the 90's band, P.
It is impossible to talk about Bill without including his
wife,
Ruth Ellsworth, who has been his songwriting partner for many years.
Even when regarding the fact that Bill was a member of P,
notice that Ruth served as a guest keyboardist on the P album:
Alternate (original?) artwork shown on the Arts In Context special:
Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records, or my own collection. Bill is listed as Bill Carter, Bill Anthony Carter, William A. Carter or William Anthony Carter, with consistent birth dates and in most cases after 1986, in conjunction with Blame Music. Ruth is listed as either Ruth Ellen Ellsworth, Ruth Ellsworth Carter, or Ruth Ellsworth-Carter. The compositions on the CDs, Stompin' Grounds, City Of The Violet Crown, CarterDosterSexton, and Behind The Barn are verified.
created/copyright(s) Title {collaborator(s)}
In 1992, P was formed by Bill and Johnny, along
with Sal Jenco and the Butthole Surfers' Gibby
Haynes. (See the JD Rocks! Bands
section for more information about P!) Bill and
Ruth also collaborated with Johnny and Bruce
Witkin on the Once Upon
A Time In Mexico soundtrack selection, Sands Theme,
released in
2003. In
addition, they have long been close personal friends of
Johnny
and Vanessa Paradis, and their two children, Lily-Rose and Jack.
They are often seen in paparazzi shots and spotted at events
in
which Johnny is seen. Bill has also been identified in recent
years as Johnny's personal trainer (Bill himself has been more modest,
simply explaining that they did fitness training together while in
their frequent travels together).
Bill Carter says that he began writing music in
about
1968. In 1976, he moved to Austin from Seattle. He
was in a
band
called The
Blame, which formed in 1978. Their music was a very edgy hard
rock style, and they played many gigs in the Austin area until the
early 80's. In the early to mid 80's,
Bill
and Ruth were
struggling
to make a living as songwriters and musicians. However, their
credibility as renowned songwriters soon began to make their mark, as
their compositions began to be noticed by the likes of the late Stevie
Ray
Vaughan and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Stevie added
Carter/Ellsworth compositions such as Willie The Wimp and Crossfire to
his repertoire, and Why Get Up? was included on The Fabulous
Thunderbirds' Tuff Enuff album. Soon, the songwriting team of
Carter and Ellsworth was one to be reckoned with, and many other
artists such as Will Sexton, Terry McBride, Kent Dykes, Christine
Albert and the Stray Cats' Brian Setzer were lining up to write songs
with them.
Bill's album Stompin' Grounds showcases Bill Carter's songwriting. According to Jimmie Vaughan's Discography, the album was first released on South Coast Records in 1985. I have a used version of the album released by a German label, CrossCut Records, in 1988. It features Bill on guitars and vocals, with Ruth Ellsworth guesting on vocals and piano on several tracks.
Bill's album Stompin' Grounds showcases Bill Carter's songwriting. According to Jimmie Vaughan's Discography, the album was first released on South Coast Records in 1985. I have a used version of the album released by a German label, CrossCut Records, in 1988. It features Bill on guitars and vocals, with Ruth Ellsworth guesting on vocals and piano on several tracks.
Scans from My CD:
Alternate (original?) artwork shown on the Arts In Context special:
In
1988, another album called Loaded Dice was released, featuring both
Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmie on guitars. Sadly,
Loaded Dice is now out of print. An album
cover
found on the web:
One song, Na-Na-Ne-Na-Nay, was re-released in 2007 on a Stevie Ray Vaughan compilation called Stevie Ray Vaughan & Friends: Solos, Sessions & Encores.
There are two 90's releases shown on a now-inactive site by Penguinville Records: City of the Violet Crown and Lifelong Rhapsody. City of the Violet Crown was released in 1994 on Down Low Records and features Denny Freeman, Reese Wynans and others. Lifelong Rhapsody has a copyright record stating that the sound cassette was created in 1994, and published and registered in 1995. Both albums are comprised mostly of Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth Carter compositions, though a few titles are not found in the copyright records. (Thanks to Mark Z. for information about these releases!) Cover art and track lists are here:
Copyright records also indicate additional cassette tapes/CDs for Bill. Bill and Ruth have also collaborated with members of The Derailers, David Holt, and others. They have also composed additional music for TV and films, including King Of The Hill, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Secret Life of David Gale.
In 1995, Bill won 9th place for Best Songwriter at the Austin Chronicle Awards. In March of 2000, once again as part of the Austin Music Awards, Bill and Ruth were co-winners of the Decade Award for Best Song, for the song popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Crossfire:
MARCH 17, 2000: MUSIC
Decade Awards
Austin Chronicle
Song of the Decade
1. "Crossfire" by Bill Carter, Ruth Ellsworth, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, and Reese Wynans for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
2. "Life by the Drop" by Doyle Bramhall and Barbara Logan for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
3. "Good Day for the Blues" by David Grissom for Storyville
4. "Tick Tock" by Jimmie Vaughan for the Vaughan Brothers
5. "The Way" by Tony Scalzo for Fastball
6. "Four Leaf Clover" by Abra Moore
7. "Tumbleweed" by Gwil Owen for Toni Price
8. "Just to Hear Your Voice" by Monte Warden for Toni Price
9. "Six Strings Down" by Jimmie Vaughan
10. "Help, I'm White" by Sammy Allred for the Geezinslaws
In 2007, Bill, Ruth, and members of Double Trouble also received a certification from BMI for the 1 millionth broadcast of Crossfire (see photo below).
In October of 2007, the Japanese version of Vanessa Paradis' album Divinidylle was released. This version features 2 bonus tracks not on the French release; one of them is a song co-written by Ruth and Bill called I Wouldn't Dare. The song was later re-released on Vanessa's 2009 Best Of album.
The Rivers Wanted website is run by a photographer couple who sell their photographs to help attain their dream life by the rivers of Texas. Bill Carter is one of the musicians represented on their site, and they have kindly acknowledged this humble page (under its old Verizon URL, no longer being updated) for some of Bill's background information. Please visit their site to see some great photos of Bill!
Check out the fantastic 2012 Arts In Context special at KLRU, and don't forget to click on the individual links beneath the full show for live performances from May 18, 2012 of Eva Bible, Richest Man, Anything Made Of Paper, April Mays, Ball & Chain, Crossfire, Devil In Evelyn, Greg And Virginia, Paris, Poodle Dog Lounge, Willie The Wimp, and Can't Function. Also visit the Johnny Depp Rocks! Documentaries page for more info.
One song, Na-Na-Ne-Na-Nay, was re-released in 2007 on a Stevie Ray Vaughan compilation called Stevie Ray Vaughan & Friends: Solos, Sessions & Encores.
More information about
Loaded Dice is here:
There are two 90's releases shown on a now-inactive site by Penguinville Records: City of the Violet Crown and Lifelong Rhapsody. City of the Violet Crown was released in 1994 on Down Low Records and features Denny Freeman, Reese Wynans and others. Lifelong Rhapsody has a copyright record stating that the sound cassette was created in 1994, and published and registered in 1995. Both albums are comprised mostly of Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth Carter compositions, though a few titles are not found in the copyright records. (Thanks to Mark Z. for information about these releases!) Cover art and track lists are here:
Copyright records also indicate additional cassette tapes/CDs for Bill. Bill and Ruth have also collaborated with members of The Derailers, David Holt, and others. They have also composed additional music for TV and films, including King Of The Hill, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Secret Life of David Gale.
In 1995, Bill won 9th place for Best Songwriter at the Austin Chronicle Awards. In March of 2000, once again as part of the Austin Music Awards, Bill and Ruth were co-winners of the Decade Award for Best Song, for the song popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Crossfire:
MARCH 17, 2000: MUSIC
Decade Awards
Austin Chronicle
Song of the Decade
1. "Crossfire" by Bill Carter, Ruth Ellsworth, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, and Reese Wynans for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
2. "Life by the Drop" by Doyle Bramhall and Barbara Logan for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
3. "Good Day for the Blues" by David Grissom for Storyville
4. "Tick Tock" by Jimmie Vaughan for the Vaughan Brothers
5. "The Way" by Tony Scalzo for Fastball
6. "Four Leaf Clover" by Abra Moore
7. "Tumbleweed" by Gwil Owen for Toni Price
8. "Just to Hear Your Voice" by Monte Warden for Toni Price
9. "Six Strings Down" by Jimmie Vaughan
10. "Help, I'm White" by Sammy Allred for the Geezinslaws
In 2007, Bill, Ruth, and members of Double Trouble also received a certification from BMI for the 1 millionth broadcast of Crossfire (see photo below).
In October of 2007, the Japanese version of Vanessa Paradis' album Divinidylle was released. This version features 2 bonus tracks not on the French release; one of them is a song co-written by Ruth and Bill called I Wouldn't Dare. The song was later re-released on Vanessa's 2009 Best Of album.
In
the late '00's,
Ruth has begun a clothing line called SWAG (sea wear and gear) based on
linen pirate pants she designed for Bill and Johnny Depp to wear at the
beach. The line has an online
store.
Ruth
is
also an acclaimed soup chef! In 2010,
Ruth collaborated with singer Candace Bellamy on an
EP called A Thousand Shades of Blue, as a producer, songwriter, and
artwork creator. Bill also participated on the EP as a
guitarist. In 2013, Ruth co-wrote the song New Year with
goddaughter Lily-Rose Depp and Lily-Rose's parents Vanessa Paradis and
Johnny; the song was included on Vanessa's 2013 album, Love Songs.
In the fall of 2010, Bill's new official site was launched: Bill Carter And The Blame. The original site had a bio, a gig calendar, photos, videos and a music store. It was renovated in 2012 with news, photos, videos, and more, and underwent further renovations in the spring of 2013.
On August 28, 2010, Bill participated in the Voices for Justice concert/rally in Little Rock, AR, in support of the West Memphis Three. He and Will Sexton played Anything Made Of Paper, an original song that he and Ruth wrote specifically for Damien Echols. He also joined Patti Smith for People Have The Power during the show's finale along with Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, Ben Harper, and of course, Johnny.
2011 was a big year in recordng for Bill. In January, Bill released a brand new CD with Stephen Doster and Will Sexton. The self-titled album, CarterDosterSexton (or CDS) has 14 tracks and is available in both CD form and as a digital download. And then in July of 2011 he released an album called Behind The Barn, on Lowdown Records. Bill also played mandolin on Sous Le Soleil Exactement, which was Shane MacGowan's contribution to Lulu Gainsbourg's 2011 From Gainsbourg To Lulu album.
On May 18, 2012, Bill and The Blame,
featuring
Denny Freeman, Will Sexton, Dony Wynn, Cindy Cashdollar, Andy Salmon,
David Holt and Glover Gil, taped a live show at KRLU's original Studio
6A for a PBS series called Arts In
Context.
The site was the original studio used for Austin City Limits,
and
the show was a celebration of Bill's tremendous career.
On October 22, 2011, while Johnny Depp was in Austin promoting The Rum Diary, he joined Bill for a late show at the Continental Club. Billy Gibbons also performed, along with Dony Wynn, C.C. Adcock, Andy Salmon, and Denny Freeman. On March 17, 2012, Johnny joined Bill and members of The Blame, Cindy Cashdollar, members of Mumford & Sons, and other musicians for an intimate SXSW afterparty at the Continental Club Gallery. Then on March 29 and 30 as well as May 25, 2012, Bill and frequent musical collaborator Mike Thompson played shows in LA with Bruce Witkin, Joey Malone, and Johnny in a new role as a drummer! Bill returned to LA on December 7, 2012, with much the same lineup with the addition of former Viper Room co-owner Chuck E. Weiss, but this time Johnny resumed his role as guitarist in a more rockin' show. Footage from this show was taken for inclusion in a future documentary by Matt McCormack called That's What I'm Doing Here, which would have focused on the lives and careers of Bill as well as Alejandro Escovedo and Charlie Sexton. Unfortunately, most of the footage was lost in a flood in 2013 and the documentary is unlikely to ever be released.
In late May of 2012, the Bill Carter And The Blame Facebook Fan Page reported that Johnny contributed guitar to the track, Anything Made Of Paper. Bill later stated in an interview with the Italian Fans Of Depp that both Anything Made of Paper and a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's Road To Nowhere, both featuring Johnny, would be featured on the West of Memphis: Voices For Justice soundtrack, the latter as a digital bonus track. More info about the soundtrack can be found at Legacy Recordings and the West Of Memphis: Voices For Justice Official Site. A version of Anything Made Of Paper is prominently featured in the West Of Memphis documentary. The song was longlisted for a Best Original Song Oscar, and predicted by Indiewire to be in the Top 15, though it didn't not make the final list of five nominees. West Of Memphis debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2012 and had its official premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8; it was released in theaters on Christmas Day, 2012. The soundtrack was released on January 15, 2013. Anything Made Of Paper is also featured on Bill's album Unknown, which was originally released on Bruce Witkin's Unison label on January 15, 2013. Hear streams of all the songs from Unknown on Bill's Official Site.
Important Links
Multimedia
Some
great YouTubes are available.
Check
out the following links!
Bill Carter & Will Sexton (short clip from 2007)
Willie The Wimp (Continental Club, Austin TX)
Bill and Ruby Jane in Bill's kitchen (playing Old Dangerfield ca. 2008)
Bill, Ruth, Ruby Jane and others at Nuttybrown Cafe (Honky Tonk Women, May 18, 2009 Rolling Stones Tribute)
Bill Carter and the Blame with Ruby Jane at Continental Club (Oct. 3, 2009)
Bill Carter and the Blame at Antone's (Richest Man In The World, Dec. 29, 2009)
Bill Carter and the Blame at Antone's (Let it Bleed, Dec. 29, 2009)
Bill Carter and Charlie Sexton at Antone's (We Wanna Help Will Sexton benefit, Feb. 15, 2010) (suggestion: turn down volume before playing)
Bill Carter, Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, Johnny Depp, Ben Harper and others (Voices For Justice, Aug. 28, 2010, Little Rock AR)
Carter Doster Sexton: One Dream
Bill Carter: April Mays
Carter Doster Sexton: What A Life
Bill Carter, Johnny Depp, Billy Gibbons and others at the Continental Club in Austin, October 22, 2011
Anything Made Of Paper at the El Rey Theatre March 30, 2012 and check for additional videos by stevil6662
Anything Made Of Paper on Letterman February 21, 2013
Anything Made Of Paper Music Video
In the fall of 2010, Bill's new official site was launched: Bill Carter And The Blame. The original site had a bio, a gig calendar, photos, videos and a music store. It was renovated in 2012 with news, photos, videos, and more, and underwent further renovations in the spring of 2013.
On August 28, 2010, Bill participated in the Voices for Justice concert/rally in Little Rock, AR, in support of the West Memphis Three. He and Will Sexton played Anything Made Of Paper, an original song that he and Ruth wrote specifically for Damien Echols. He also joined Patti Smith for People Have The Power during the show's finale along with Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, Ben Harper, and of course, Johnny.
2011 was a big year in recordng for Bill. In January, Bill released a brand new CD with Stephen Doster and Will Sexton. The self-titled album, CarterDosterSexton (or CDS) has 14 tracks and is available in both CD form and as a digital download. And then in July of 2011 he released an album called Behind The Barn, on Lowdown Records. Bill also played mandolin on Sous Le Soleil Exactement, which was Shane MacGowan's contribution to Lulu Gainsbourg's 2011 From Gainsbourg To Lulu album.
The Arts In Context: Bill Carter And The Blame
special
aired on Austin's KLRU station on July 26, 2012, and is also available
for viewing online.
This wonderful show is a fascinating look at Bill's 40+ year
career as a songwriter and musician, as well as his longstanding
partnership with Ruth and the strong bonds he has formed with fellow
Austin musicians. Bill and Ruth also tell some wonderful
stories
behind some of their songs, such as Willie The Wimp, Crossfire, Richest
Man, Paris, and Anything Made Of Paper. Will Sexton, David
Holt, Dony Wynn,
Andy Salmon,
Denny Freeman, Billy Gibbons, and Johnny Depp are among the featured
participants.
Interspersed with the interviews is performance footage from the May
18, 2012 taping. The documentary earned Pat Kondelis an Emmy.
Here are some screen captures from the show:
On October 22, 2011, while Johnny Depp was in Austin promoting The Rum Diary, he joined Bill for a late show at the Continental Club. Billy Gibbons also performed, along with Dony Wynn, C.C. Adcock, Andy Salmon, and Denny Freeman. On March 17, 2012, Johnny joined Bill and members of The Blame, Cindy Cashdollar, members of Mumford & Sons, and other musicians for an intimate SXSW afterparty at the Continental Club Gallery. Then on March 29 and 30 as well as May 25, 2012, Bill and frequent musical collaborator Mike Thompson played shows in LA with Bruce Witkin, Joey Malone, and Johnny in a new role as a drummer! Bill returned to LA on December 7, 2012, with much the same lineup with the addition of former Viper Room co-owner Chuck E. Weiss, but this time Johnny resumed his role as guitarist in a more rockin' show. Footage from this show was taken for inclusion in a future documentary by Matt McCormack called That's What I'm Doing Here, which would have focused on the lives and careers of Bill as well as Alejandro Escovedo and Charlie Sexton. Unfortunately, most of the footage was lost in a flood in 2013 and the documentary is unlikely to ever be released.
In late May of 2012, the Bill Carter And The Blame Facebook Fan Page reported that Johnny contributed guitar to the track, Anything Made Of Paper. Bill later stated in an interview with the Italian Fans Of Depp that both Anything Made of Paper and a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's Road To Nowhere, both featuring Johnny, would be featured on the West of Memphis: Voices For Justice soundtrack, the latter as a digital bonus track. More info about the soundtrack can be found at Legacy Recordings and the West Of Memphis: Voices For Justice Official Site. A version of Anything Made Of Paper is prominently featured in the West Of Memphis documentary. The song was longlisted for a Best Original Song Oscar, and predicted by Indiewire to be in the Top 15, though it didn't not make the final list of five nominees. West Of Memphis debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2012 and had its official premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8; it was released in theaters on Christmas Day, 2012. The soundtrack was released on January 15, 2013. Anything Made Of Paper is also featured on Bill's album Unknown, which was originally released on Bruce Witkin's Unison label on January 15, 2013. Hear streams of all the songs from Unknown on Bill's Official Site.
An animated music
video for Anything Made Of Paper was made by Pat Kondelis and Brandon
Ray. Of course, the video is made of paper! It had
its world premiere at a video party at the One 2 One Bar in Austin on
September 28, 2013, and was subsequently posted to YouTube.
An
article and video about the making of the video from animator Brandon
Ray is available on Vimeo. The
video has been making the rounds at various film festivals throughout
2014 and has won several major awards, including:
Bill made his national television debut on February 21, 2013 on Late Show With David Letterman. Johnny was also a guest, and he, Bruce Witkin, Joey Malone, Rob Klonel and Mike Thompson accompanied Bill for a performance of Anything Made Of Paper on the show. On March 13, 2013, Bill and Ruth were inducted into the Austin Music Hall Of Fame as part of the Austin Music Awards during SXSW. He and The Blame played a blistering 8 song set to close the awards, joined on most songs by special guest Gary Clark Jr.
In October and November of 2013, he was recording at E.A.R. studios. The Tosca String Quartet has participated in the recording sessions. Bill also participated on a new album by Kimmie Rhodes, called Covers, contributing harmonica and vocals. In December, Anything Made Of Paper was listed at #33 among American Songwriter's Top 50 Songs Of 2013: “'Anything made of paper' was what visitors were allowed to bring Damien Echols in prison, yet Carter’s song—which played over the closing credits of West of Memphis—focuses on everything else the falsely accused prisoner received in time: life, freedom, love, and dignity."
Bill started out 2014 in style, continuing to play frequently in and around Austin, and on February 19, he performed at Tales From The Tavern in Santa Ynez, CA; the show was filmed and recorded along with an interview. On February 14, he announced that the title of an upcoming album will be Innocent Victims And Evil Companions. Some tentative artwork was shown on Facebook, with word that the album would have 14 tracks. While waiting for that album, Bill announced yet another project in late 2014: a mostly acoustic 11 song album called Play On, which contains songs written by Bill and Ruth and performed by Bill and Gabe Rhodes. On December 1, Bill launched a Kickstarter Campaign to fund the pressing of that album; the campaign was successful and ended on December 20.
On July 16, 2015, Bill announced to his Kickstarter backers that Innocent Victims and Evil Companions will actually be released before Play On, as a preference of his new record company, Forty Below Records. Innocent Victims and Evil Companions was released on February 26, 2016, and one song, Recipe For Disaster, can be streamed at PopMatters. Hopefully, Play On will be released soon, and there is also another release being planned!
- Best Music Video at the Irvine Film Festival in January, 2014
- Best
Animated Film, Best Directing in an Animated Film, and Best Editing in
an Animated Film, Los
Angeles New Wave International Film Festival, April 2014
- Best Music Video” award from the Rincon International Film Festival, April 2014
Bill made his national television debut on February 21, 2013 on Late Show With David Letterman. Johnny was also a guest, and he, Bruce Witkin, Joey Malone, Rob Klonel and Mike Thompson accompanied Bill for a performance of Anything Made Of Paper on the show. On March 13, 2013, Bill and Ruth were inducted into the Austin Music Hall Of Fame as part of the Austin Music Awards during SXSW. He and The Blame played a blistering 8 song set to close the awards, joined on most songs by special guest Gary Clark Jr.
In October and November of 2013, he was recording at E.A.R. studios. The Tosca String Quartet has participated in the recording sessions. Bill also participated on a new album by Kimmie Rhodes, called Covers, contributing harmonica and vocals. In December, Anything Made Of Paper was listed at #33 among American Songwriter's Top 50 Songs Of 2013: “'Anything made of paper' was what visitors were allowed to bring Damien Echols in prison, yet Carter’s song—which played over the closing credits of West of Memphis—focuses on everything else the falsely accused prisoner received in time: life, freedom, love, and dignity."
Bill started out 2014 in style, continuing to play frequently in and around Austin, and on February 19, he performed at Tales From The Tavern in Santa Ynez, CA; the show was filmed and recorded along with an interview. On February 14, he announced that the title of an upcoming album will be Innocent Victims And Evil Companions. Some tentative artwork was shown on Facebook, with word that the album would have 14 tracks. While waiting for that album, Bill announced yet another project in late 2014: a mostly acoustic 11 song album called Play On, which contains songs written by Bill and Ruth and performed by Bill and Gabe Rhodes. On December 1, Bill launched a Kickstarter Campaign to fund the pressing of that album; the campaign was successful and ended on December 20.
On July 16, 2015, Bill announced to his Kickstarter backers that Innocent Victims and Evil Companions will actually be released before Play On, as a preference of his new record company, Forty Below Records. Innocent Victims and Evil Companions was released on February 26, 2016, and one song, Recipe For Disaster, can be streamed at PopMatters. Hopefully, Play On will be released soon, and there is also another release being planned!
Important Links
- Bill Carter and The Blame Official Website
- Bill Carter songwriter/musician Facebook Fan Page
- Bill Carter YouTube Channel
- Bill Carter on Twitter
- Bill Carter on iTunes
- Johnny Depp Rocks:
Johnny on Stage with Bill Carter Photo Gallery
- Bill
Carter and The Blame May 25, 1987 show on Wolfgang's Vault must
be registered, or using the Free Trial
Multimedia
Wolfgang's
Vault has a Bill
Carter-related poster
available for purchase, from an Antone's show from an unknown year
with Brian Setzer and Charlie Sexton.
Bill Carter & Will Sexton (short clip from 2007)
Willie The Wimp (Continental Club, Austin TX)
Bill and Ruby Jane in Bill's kitchen (playing Old Dangerfield ca. 2008)
Bill, Ruth, Ruby Jane and others at Nuttybrown Cafe (Honky Tonk Women, May 18, 2009 Rolling Stones Tribute)
Bill Carter and the Blame with Ruby Jane at Continental Club (Oct. 3, 2009)
Bill Carter and the Blame at Antone's (Richest Man In The World, Dec. 29, 2009)
Bill Carter and the Blame at Antone's (Let it Bleed, Dec. 29, 2009)
Bill Carter and Charlie Sexton at Antone's (We Wanna Help Will Sexton benefit, Feb. 15, 2010) (suggestion: turn down volume before playing)
Bill Carter, Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, Johnny Depp, Ben Harper and others (Voices For Justice, Aug. 28, 2010, Little Rock AR)
Carter Doster Sexton: One Dream
Bill Carter: April Mays
Carter Doster Sexton: What A Life
Bill Carter, Johnny Depp, Billy Gibbons and others at the Continental Club in Austin, October 22, 2011
Anything Made Of Paper at the El Rey Theatre March 30, 2012 and check for additional videos by stevil6662
Anything Made Of Paper on Letterman February 21, 2013
Anything Made Of Paper Music Video
The Rivers Wanted website is run by a photographer couple who sell their photographs to help attain their dream life by the rivers of Texas. Bill Carter is one of the musicians represented on their site, and they have kindly acknowledged this humble page (under its old Verizon URL, no longer being updated) for some of Bill's background information. Please visit their site to see some great photos of Bill!
Check out the fantastic 2012 Arts In Context special at KLRU, and don't forget to click on the individual links beneath the full show for live performances from May 18, 2012 of Eva Bible, Richest Man, Anything Made Of Paper, April Mays, Ball & Chain, Crossfire, Devil In Evelyn, Greg And Virginia, Paris, Poodle Dog Lounge, Willie The Wimp, and Can't Function. Also visit the Johnny Depp Rocks! Documentaries page for more info.
Here
are some great links to read more:
- April 21, 1995 Wilmington Morning Star: Depp's band signs on with Capitol with comments from Bill about P's record deal
- May 11, 1995 Austin Chronicle article on advice for making demos
- May 30, 1996 Austin Chronicle article on songwriting and publishing
- Dec. 26, 1997 Taking a P in the Snow - account of P's trip to Vienna
- Feb. 5, 1999 Beat The Press (Bill's account of attacking the paparazzi in London in 1999 when Johnny Depp was arrested)
- 15
Years of the Austin Music Awards, with Bill Carter and other noted
Austin musicians with
discussion of
P's debut performance, and the Decade award for Crossfire
- August 2010 excerpts from the Austin Monthly Carter and others recall the devastating loss of Stevie Ray Vaughan 20 years ago
- August 2010 Austin 360: Austinites turn up for West Memphis Three event
- September 2012 interview with Italian Fans of Depp
- January
8, 2013 Paste Magazine article and stream of That's What I'm Doin' Here
- January 15, 2013 Glide Magazine interview
- February 1, 2013 MSN blog post and stream of State Trooper
- May
3, 2013 Austin Chronicle article: The Unknown Soldier
Some photos (click to
enlarge)
Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records, or my own collection. Bill is listed as Bill Carter, Bill Anthony Carter, William A. Carter or William Anthony Carter, with consistent birth dates and in most cases after 1986, in conjunction with Blame Music. Ruth is listed as either Ruth Ellen Ellsworth, Ruth Ellsworth Carter, or Ruth Ellsworth-Carter. The compositions on the CDs, Stompin' Grounds, City Of The Violet Crown, CarterDosterSexton, and Behind The Barn are verified.
created/copyright(s) Title {collaborator(s)}
| 1986/1986 | Time To Tear It Down {with Will Sexton} |
| 1984/1986 | Willie The Wimp (And His Cadillac Coffin) (aka Willy The Wimp) |
| 1984/1986 | Why Get Up? |
| 1984/1987 | Roadblock |
| 1984/1987 | Mrs. Jones |
| 1984/1987 | Rock-A-Bye Hotel |
| 1984/1987 | Prairie Lee |
| 1987/1988 | Little Eve |
| 1987/1988 | Dirty Blonde |
| 1987/1988 | Loaded Dice |
| 1987/1988 | Can't You Take A Hint? {with James Hutchinson} |
| 1987/1988 | Cocktail Waitress (aka Cocktail Waitress At The Poodle Dog Lounge) |
| 1987/1988 | Winning The Battle (aka Winning The Battle, Losing The War) |
| 1987/1988 | Rock Ola |
| 1988/1988 | Hard To Please {with Will Sexton} |
| 1986/1989 | I Need A Break |
| 1986/1989 | I'll Make It Right {not on copyright records: C. Layton, T. Smedley, R. Wynans} |
| 1987/1989 | Crossfire {with Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Reese Wynans} |
| 1988/1989 | Every Step Of The Way {with Terry McBride} |
| 1988/1989 | Burnin' Up The Road {with Terry McBride} |
| 1988/1989 | Ain't No Big Deal {with Terry McBride} |
| 1989/1990 | Jacksboro Highway {with Gary Nicholson, Wally Wilson} |
| 1989/1990 | Same Old Star {with Gary Nicholson, Terry McBride} |
| 1988/1990 | Felicia {with Terry McBride} |
| 1988/1990 | Can I Count On You? {with Terry McBride} |
| 1990/1990 | Chains Of Memory {with Terry McBride} |
| 1988/1990 | Nobody's Fool {with Terry McBride} |
| 1990/1990 | Givin' It Up For Gone {with Christine Albert} |
| 1990/1991 | T For Trouble (aka T Stands For Trouble) {with Colin James} |
| 1990/1991 | Cross My Heart (aka Cross My Heart, Hope To Die) {with Colin James} |
| 1990/1992 | Trick Rider {with Terry McBride} |
| 1991/1992/1995 | Misery Whip (An Egyptian Thief In Memphis) {with Will Sexton} |
| 1991/1992 | Lust 'n' Love (aka The Corner Of (Lust And Love)) {with Brian Setzer} |
| 1992/1993 |
When The Boat Starts Rockin' {with Christine Albert} |
| 1991/1993 | Jumpin' The Gun {with Kent Dykes} |
| 1991/1993 | Pushin' Fire {with Kent Dykes} |
| 1990/1994 | One Rock At A Time {with Gary Nicholson, Chris Layton, Reese Wynans, Tommy Shannon} |
| 1994 | Love Letter |
| 1994 | My My Mercury |
| 1994 | Fidel's Taxi |
| 1994/1995 | Waterline {with Will Sexton} |
| 1994/1995 | Slumberhouse {with Will Sexton} |
| 1994/1995 | Anchor With A Pair Of Golden Wings |
| 1994/1995 | New Direction |
| 1994/1995 | Knoxville Farewell {and 4 other songs?} |
| 1995/1995 | Life Savor-Day Laborin' Man {with Will Sexton} |
| 1989/1995 | 12:09 {with Bobby Jones} |
| 1992/1995 | A Train Running {with Christine Albert} |
| 1989/1995 | No Place A Heart Can Hide {with Terry McBride} |
| 1991/1996 | Red River {with Kent Dykes} |
| 1991/1996 | Enough Is Enough {with Kent Dykes} |
| 1993/1996 | September Skies (aka The Autumn Melody) {with Christine Schmidt, Brian Setzer} |
| 1990/1997 | Putting Out The Fire {with Colin James} |
| 1992/1997 | Cool, Daddy, Cool {and 3 other selections} |
| 1998/1999 | Lucky One More Time {with David Holt} |
| 1999/2000 | The Right Place {with Tony Villanueva} |
| 1999/2000 | Longing {with Brian Hofeldt, Tony Villanueva} |
| 2001/2003 | The Wheel {with Tony Villanueva} |
| xxxx/2003 | Sands Theme {with Johnny Depp, Bruce Witkin} |
| 2004 | Walk On The Moon Again {& 3 other songs} {with David Holt} |
| 2007 | I Wouldn't Dare (not yet found in US copyright records) |
| 2009/2013 | Anything Made Of Paper (aka Something Made Of Paper; not yet found in US copyright records) |
| 2010/2011 | One Dream |
| 2010/2011 | Paris |
| 2010/2011 | I Can't Do Anything |
| 2010/2011 | Girl On The North Shore |
| 2011 | Tastes Like Chicken |
| 2013 | Fire On The Wire {with Randy Weeks} |
| 2013 | That's What I'm Doin' Here |
Bill Carter Compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records, or my own collection. Because Bill Carter and William Carter are common names, it seems that there are multiple Bill Carters in the music business. I've tried my best to determine the correct listings by finding Bill Carter, Bill Anthony Carter, William A. Carter or William Anthony Carter, with consistent birth dates and in most cases after 1986, in conjunction with Blame Music. In addition, the compositions on the CDs, Stompin' Grounds, City Of The Violet Crown, and CarterDosterSexton are verified, as are the P compositions.
created/copyright(s) Title {collaborator(s)}
| 1984/1987 | Let It Rip |
| 1984/1987 | My First Love (Was Rock And Roll) |
| 1984/1987 | Dance Dance Dance |
| 1984/1987 | '67 Buick A.F. |
| 1986/1989 | It's Time You Knew |
| 1986/1988/1994 | Richest Man |
| 1987/1988 | Na-Na-Ne-Na-Nay |
| 1994 | Drownin' On The Corner |
| 1994 | Jacob |
| 1994 | Lyin' Bout The Truth |
| 1994/1995 | Greg And Virginia |
| 1994/1995 | Fugitive Blues |
| 1994/1995 | Delta Country Girl |
| 1994/1995 | Tennessee Williams' Blues |
| 1990/1995 | Life Is Just A Circle {with Kent Dykes} |
| 1992/1997 | Devil And The Deep Blue Sea {and 4 other songs} |
| 1995/1997 | Zing Splash {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Michael Stipe {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Oklahoma {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Jon Glenn (Mega Mix) {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Mr. Officer {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | White Man Sings The Blues {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Die Anne {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | Scrapings From Ring {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 1995/1997 | The Deal {with Johnny Depp, Gibby Haynes & Sal Jenco} |
| 2002/2003 | Whole Nother World {with Tony Villanueva} |
| 2010/2011 | Mystery Down Here {with Stephen Doster} |
| 2010/2011 | Guilty Eyes |
| 2010/2011 | What A Life |
| 2011 | Ball N' Chain |
| 2011 | Jolly Roger Flies |
| 2011 | Two More Bartender |
| 2011 | 1 Mo' Dollar |
| 2011 | Never Again |
| 2011 | Feelz Like Rain |
| 2011 | Fez |
| 2011 | John Ireland |
| 2011 | April Mays |
| 2013 | Deep Soul Sermon |
| 2013 | Revelry |
| 2013 | Eva Bible |
| 2013 | Final Sacrifice |
| 2013 | Brain |
| 2013 | Fields Of Stone |
| 2013 | Can't Function |
| 2013 | Amerijuana |
| 2013 | Bel Air Motel |
| 2013 | Devil In Evilin |
| 2013 | Save You |
| 2016 |
Black Lion |
| 2016 |
Recipe For Disaster |
| 2016 |
Lost In A Day |
| 2016 |
Bughouse I Pasadena |
| 2016 |
Feel Town |
| 2016 |
Last Tear (Delaney's Song) |
| 2016 |
Fisherman's Daughter |
| 2016 |
Sooner Or Later |
| 2016 |
Missing Guru |
| 2016 |
Livin' In It |
| 2016 |
Moscow Girl |
| 2016 |
Exiled |
| 2016 |
Solar Powered Radio |
| 2016 |
No More Runnin' |
Ruth Carter Compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records. Listed as Ruth Carter or Ruth Ellsworth Carter.
created/copyright(s) Title {collaborator(s)}
| 2010 | Sweet Sweet Soul {with Candace Bellamy and Jimi Calhoun} |
| 2010 | Just One Girl {with Candace Bellamy and Jimi Calhoun} |
| 2010 | Only God Can {with Candace Bellamy and Jimi Calhoun} |
| 2010 | A Thousand Shades Of Blue {with Candace Bellamy and Jimi Calhoun} |
| 2010 | Same Old You {with Candace Bellamy and Jimi Calhoun} |
| 2010 | Nobody's Watching But God {with Candace Bellamy and John Plasencio} |
| 2013 | New Year {with Lily-Rose Depp, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis} |
Bill Carter Partial Discography
These listings are taken from a combination of US Copyright records, info from Barnes & Noble, and scans from my own collection. It is not meant to be a complete list and may very well have a lot of omissions! Additions and corrections are always appreciated!
| 1985/1988 | Bill Carter: Stompin' Grounds |
| 1987/1988 | Bill Carter (CBS) cassette (May be Loaded Dice) |
| 1994 | Bill Carter: City of the Violet Crown |
| 1995 | Bill Carter: Lifelong Rhapsody |
| 1995 | P: P |
| 1996 | Butthole Surfers: Electriclarryland (bass) |
| 2001 | Toni Price: Swim Away (contributor) |
| 2003 | Once Upon A Time In Mexico soundtrack ("Tonto's Giant Nuts") |
| 2007 | Stevie Ray Vaughan: Solos, Sessions & Encores (guest appearance) |
| 2010 | Candace Bellamy: A Thousand Shades Of Blue (acoustic guitar) |
| 2011 | CarterDosterSexton (CDS) |
| 2011 | Bill Carter: Behind The Barn |
| 2011 | Lulu Gainsbourg: From Gainsbourg To Lulu (mandolin on Sous Le Soleil Exactement) |
| 2013 | Bill Carter: Unknown |
| 2013 | West Of Memphis: Voices For Justice soundtrack |
| 2013 | Bill Carter: State Trooper (song) |
| 2013 | Kimmie Rhodes: Covers (harmonica and vocals on Cannibals and Little Help From My Friends) |
| 2016 |
Innocent Victims & Evil Companions |
Please
at
info@johnnydepprocks.com if you
have any corrections or additions!
