From the hills of Western North Carolina, two brothers set out to show the world their brand of bluegrass music, as so many brother duets have done before them. Jonah, age 17, and Grayson, age 12, grew up playing gospel bluegrass in their church services. From the very beginning the brothers clung to the roots of the music, something that many young pickers tend to overlook. The love for the music pushed Jonah to start his own band, Jonah Riddle & Carolina Express.
Jonah takes care of banjo duties in the group, playing a style that is quickly fading away in todays business. You can easily hear the Stanley, Scruggs, and Osborne in his sound, the sounds of the pioneers! Grayson is on guitar and does all the groups lead singing. Grayson's style of guitar playing will take you back to the days of the great Jimmy Martin; strong, steady, rhythm, full of all the runs that helps make bluegrass what it is! The brothers dad, Benjie, holds down upright bass duties for the band.
Jonah and Grayson have had the privilege of picking on stage with many great artists: Doyle Lawson, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Balsam Range, Ralph Stanley II, Nu Blue, Ricky Skaggs, J.D. Crowe, and Kody Norris. They have performed at many concerts and venues across the country, including: The Ryman Auditorium Courtyard, the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, Woodsongs, HoustonFest, the Earl Scruggs Center, The Museum of Appalachia, and the Carter Fold. Jonah and Grayson are also members of Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars and have performed at IBMA Kids on Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina. They have won several awards during the time they have been performing such as Best of Show and individual awards for playing their instruments as well. Jonah is currently endorsed by Deering Banjos, they both are endorsed by GHS Strings and Peterson tuners. Jonah and Grayson give God all of the credit for the wonderful opportunities that He allows them to have.
