The Web Site Of Jimmy Carpenter

RetroActive

Waco graphic designer Jimmy Carpenter realized a lifelong dream of working on a Beatles album cover with the release of "Beatles '64: Goin' To Kansas City." The package contains a CD of a 1964 Beatles press conference and a booklet for which Carpenter painstakingly restored the photos.

WACO — Nostalgia works for Jimmy Carpenter.

Posters, books and records of Elvis, the Beatles and others line the walls of the graphic designer’s home studio. There are other items, too, examples of work he has done for modern events in and around Cleveland County, such as the Over the Mountain Triathlon and Shelby filmmaker Earl Owensby’s DVD and video covers.

But, it’s the work with Elvis and Beatles items that Carpenter holds dear. In Libba Laney’s sixth grade English class at South Elementary, a young Carpenter wrote in an essay, “I would like to design Elvis and Beatles record album covers someday.”

Starting in 1986, after graduating from Cleveland Community College, Carpenter worked with different advertising agencies in the Shelby area. He learned a lot in that time of graphics transition from cut-and-paste hand-mounted work to computer technology and eventually went into business for himself.

The lessons learned in Ms. Laney’s class played a role in his successful career, he said.

“She would always recommend that you use your time wisely,” Carpenter said. “She said, ‘Don’t let anyone say you can’t do it.’”

Carpenter incorporated this timely work ethic and optimistic attitude in his life and, although vinyl records are mostly collectors’ items now, achieved his sixth-grade dream.

Last month, two of his works — one Beatles-related and one Elvis-related — gained public attention.

Achieving goals

Carpenter did the package art for a new Beatles release, “Beatles ’64: Goin’ To Kansas City.” It consists of an enhanced CD of a Beatles press conference from Sept. 17, 1964, recorded before their concert in Kansas City, and is accompanied by a 32-page photo
booklet of many unpublished photos of the press conference and concert.

“The available existing black-and-white photos from both the press conference and the show were either damaged with scratches or had deteriorated with age. I restored all the photos we used in the booklet as close as possible to their original condition,” Carpenter said of the painstaking process it took him to design the package.

Also in May, the extended DVD version of Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley’s May 13 CBS-TV Special, “Elvis By The Presleys,” hit the stores. The DVD has a special bonus feature titled “45 rpm,” which is a slide show of all Presley’s gold and platinum singles. One of Carpenter’s custom collectables sleeve designs for “Blue Suede Shoes” is featured in the slide show.

“My goal was to create something that looked authentic — like a period piece,” Carpenter said of the “Blue Suede Shoes” vinyl sleeve that he created for a record collection. “It showed me that I achieved my goal.”

Paying tribute

Carpenter continues to look for the next project, emphasizing that he also works regularly with local groups, such as the Cleveland County Fair, Greater Shelby Community Theatre and Cleveland County Arts Council.

But, even so, he continues to remember the lessons from his sixth-grade teacher, who died a couple of years after she taught him.

“She was an elegant woman whose outlook on life was one of vast horizons,” Carpenter remembers. “She encouraged all of her students, including me, to pursue their dreams and to never be discouraged by people who didn’t believe that they could accomplish them. I dedicate these two accomplishments in my life to her.”