(updated 10/25/08)
Bill
Carter has long been a renowned songwriter from the Austin, TX area,
and his connection with Johnny Depp is 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, we
are
reminded that Ruth served as a guest keyboardist on the P album:
Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records. 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.
created/copyright(s) Title {collaborator(s)}
Bill Carter was originally a member of 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 their
breakup in 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.
I have found a used CD called Stompin' Grounds that showcases Bill Carter's songwriting. This album was 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:
I have found a used CD called Stompin' Grounds that showcases Bill Carter's songwriting. This album was 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:
new According to Jimmie Vaughan's Discography, the album was first released on South Coast Records in 1985. A synopsis of the album, as well as several brief but excellent reviews, can be found here:
new In
1988, another album called Loaded Dice was released, featuring both
Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmie on guitars. Sadly, like
Stompin' Grounds, Loaded Dice is now out of pring. 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.
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:
Copyright records have also indicated a couple of cassette
tapes
and compact discs for Bill.
The Austin Chronicle cites many performances in the Austin area by Bill Carter and The Blame during the 90's, but this band bears no real relation to the version of The Blame that was together in the 70's and early 80's. These were said to be informal performances of R&B and country-flavored tunes, not too closely related to the hard rock style of the original band. At any rate, it appears that Bill and Ruth's main focus has been as songwriters.
In 1993, Bill met Johnny Depp and helped to form the group P, along with Sal Jenco and the Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes. (See the
Bands
section for more information about P!) After P, Bill and Ruth
have collaborated with members of The Derailers, David Holt, and
others. Bill and Ruth collaborated with Johnny and Bruce
Witkin on the Once Upon A Time In Mexico soundtrack selection, Sands Theme, 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.
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
Bill, Ruth, and members of Double Trouble also recently 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 Bill and Ruth called I Wouldn't Dare.
The Austin Chronicle cites many performances in the Austin area by Bill Carter and The Blame during the 90's, but this band bears no real relation to the version of The Blame that was together in the 70's and early 80's. These were said to be informal performances of R&B and country-flavored tunes, not too closely related to the hard rock style of the original band. At any rate, it appears that Bill and Ruth's main focus has been as songwriters.
In 1993, Bill met Johnny Depp and helped to form the group P, along with Sal Jenco and the Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes. (See the
Bands
section for more information about P!) After P, Bill and Ruth
have collaborated with members of The Derailers, David Holt, and
others. Bill and Ruth collaborated with Johnny and Bruce
Witkin on the Once Upon A Time In Mexico soundtrack selection, Sands Theme, 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.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
Bill, Ruth, and members of Double Trouble also recently 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 Bill and Ruth called I Wouldn't Dare.
Recently,
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 will have an online store shortly.
Ruth is
also an acclaimed soup chef!
new Some great YouTubes are available, including performances of Bill with Will Sexton and with 13 year-old fiddle prodigy Ruby Jane. Check out the following links!
new Some great YouTubes are available, including performances of Bill with Will Sexton and with 13 year-old fiddle prodigy Ruby Jane. Check out the following links!
Midomi index page for Bill Carter (please disregard the Screaming Blue Messiahs photos, videos and references-- that's a different Bill Carter!)
Bill Carter & Will Sexton (short clip from 2007)
Willie The Wimp (Continental Club, Austin TX)
Bill and Ruby Jane on KVET radio (playing Beaumont Rag on May 28, 2008)
Bill and Ruby Jane in Bill's kitchen (playing Old Dangerfield)
Bill, Ruby Jane, and Marvin Dykhuis (playing Blackberry Blossom/Friend Of The Devil at Cypress Grill)
Bill Carter & Will Sexton (short clip from 2007)
Willie The Wimp (Continental Club, Austin TX)
Bill and Ruby Jane on KVET radio (playing Beaumont Rag on May 28, 2008)
Bill and Ruby Jane in Bill's kitchen (playing Old Dangerfield)
Bill, Ruby Jane, and Marvin Dykhuis (playing Blackberry Blossom/Friend Of The Devil at Cypress Grill)
Here
are some great links to read more:
- May 11, 1995 Austin Chronicle article on advice for making demos
- May 30, 1996 Austin Chronicle article on songwriting and publishing
- Taking a P in the Snow - account of P's trip to Vienna
- 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
- Oct. 23, 2006 Austin360 account of Bill hanging out with Keith Richards during the 2006 Rolling Stones tour (scroll down to 5:41 p.m.)
- January
4, 2008 Austin 360: Legend Of The Pirate Pants
Some photos (click to
enlarge)
Bill Carter/Ruth Ellsworth compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records. 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.
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} |
| 1994/1995 | 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} |
| 2007/- | I Wouldn't Dare (record not yet found in US copyright records) |
Bill Carter Compositions - Mostly taken from US Copyright records. 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 CD, Stompin' Grounds, 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 |
| 1994/1995 | 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} |
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) |
| 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) |
Please
if you
have any corrections or additions!
