Traditional bluegrass from Piney Flats, Tennessee, on Billy Blue Records

Carson Peters & Iron Mountain

Carson Peters and Iron Mountain has quickly become one of the most energetic and hottest bands in the business, making numerous trips to the Grand Ole Opry, multiple international appearances, and having countless songs on the bluegrass and bluegrass gospel charts. Their traditional style and A Cappella arrangements are a refreshing reminder that the bluegrass of old is alive and well. The band is made up of Carson Peters, from Piney Flats, TN, James McDowell, from Hendersonville, NC, Taylor Parks, from Bloxom, VA, Henry Burgess, from Edmond, OK, and Jake Goforth, from Troy, NC. Carson and the band signed with Billy Blue Records in 2023, and released their second album for the esteemed bluegrass label, Hold On Heart, in March 2026. The boys give God all the glory for allowing them to accomplish what they have, and trust His plan to guide them through the future.

Carson Peters. At only 22 years old, Carson has made the most of his young career. In 2011, 8-year-old Carson made a guest appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, in which he performed for Leno and Betty White. A few years later, in 2014, Ricky Skaggs made one of Peters’ biggest dreams a reality, inviting him to perform “Blue Moon of Kentucky” at the Grand Ole Opry. Carson has made several trips back to the Opry since. In 2016, Peters made the trip back to L.A. to be a guest on NBC’s “Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey”. In 2018, Skaggs once again invited Carson back to Nashville, this time to perform at the 52nd CMA Awards Show, during Skaggs’ Country Music Hall of Fame induction performance. In 2021, Peters was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice”, and received a coveted 4-chair-turn with his rendition of the Don Williams classic, “Tulsa Time”.

James McDowell was born in Henderson County, North Carolina. His music roots run deep. His grandfather, James “Coot” McDowell, played for the “Southern Mountaineers” and the “Green River Boys” and has been a large influence on his music. He began guitar lessons at age 13 and banjo lessons at age 14, from Ken Schoewe. At age 15, McDowell was invited to play with the “Old Time Pickers” by Sam Cox, who continues to mentor James. He has also served as banjo player for the “Mully Holler Gang”, and “Carolina Blue”. He placed 2nd in the RenoFest banjo competition and 6th in the guitar competition.

Taylor Parks is 22 years old and originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He’s been around the music all his life and hung around his dad’s band, No Spare Time, since childhood. He has been playing banjo since he was 8, but started playing bass when he was 15. In 2022, he got his start in the business playing banjo with Josh Grigsby and County Line, then later became a member of Jeff Parker and Company, then later played bass with The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.

Henry Burgess, 19-year-old mandolin virtuoso, hails from Oklahoma and brings a wealth of talent and youthful drive to any stage he crosses. A “head-turner” in the world of mandolin, Henry Burgess has honed his craft under the tutelage of the renowned bluegrass fiddling legend and “Bluegrass Boy”, Byron Berline. His dedication to mastering the mandolin has not gone unnoticed, and his skills are a testament to his commitment to excellence. His Oklahoma inspired solos are a sight to behold.

Jake Goforth, 19 years old and well-versed in Tony Rice–style flatpicking and Dan Tyminski–inspired vocals, has been playing since the age of seven and has already built an impressive résumé on some of the biggest stages in bluegrass. As a young musician, he performed as a special guest with Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent, the Gibson Brothers, Sideline, and many others. At just 11 years old, Goforth gained widespread attention when a video of him performing “Man of Constant Sorrow” on stage with Dan Tyminski went viral. His talent was further recognized through multiple years as a featured performer with IBMA’s Kids on Bluegrass program.