Meet The spikes
Get to know the people that make up the band and create the music that’s taking Auburn by storm!
While the core five members are usually the only ones up on stage, there are several members who helped the Railroad Spikes with their first EP or have played shows with the Spikes. Get to know a little bit about them below!
David Carter
The leader of the band, his songwriting gives the band an original sound that can be heard on their debut EP To a Friend, From a Friend and their newest song Hands. Carter holds down the acoustic rhythm guitar and is the lead singer for the band. His work can be heard on To a Friend, From a Friend as well as the Spikes’ newest single Hands (Demo).
Johnny Weir
The bass player, Johnny, can be seen hyping up the crowd and nodding along with the groove on stage. Johnny can also be seen singing backup vocals behind David Carter. His work can be heard on To a Friend, From a Friend as well as the Spikes’ newest single Hands (Demo).
Ben Spooner
Filling the role of the Spikes’ lead guitarist, Ben is known for shredding on his classic Stratocaster guitar. His style of playing has elevated the Railroad Spikes’ sound from simple country music to a more complicated genre we like to call “Spike Country”. Ben, like Johnny, can be seen singing backup vocals on stage. His work can be heard on To a Friend, From a Friend as well as the Spikes’ newest single Hands (Demo).
Walker Lee Hinton
The drummer, Walker Lee, keeps time like a clock but better. If you see him he’s sure to be holding down the skins behind the rest of the band, keeping them in time and elevating the energy. His work can be heard on To a Friend, From a Friend as well as the Spikes’ newest single Hands (Demo).
Cody Holder
Cody Holder is the newest member of the band, playing his first show as a Railroad Spike in January of 2025. His work can be heard on Hands (Demo), the Railroad Spikes’ newest single.
The Extended Spikes Family
You might not see them on the stage every time, but these folks are part of what makes the Railroad Spikes so unique
Charlie Saunders
Charlie is a lifelong friend of Railroad Spikes lead guitarist Ben Spooner, so when there is a chance for him to join David Carter and the Railroad Spikes at a gig he jumps at the opportunity. He’s been utilized as a rhythm guitarist, slide guitarist, and secondary lead guitarist in the shows he was featured in. He is a successful solo artist, known for his instrumental tracks, and is also a member of the Auburn University Marching Band as a lead guitarist.
Palmer Blackmon
Palmer is the mandolin and upright bass player for the Railroad Spikes. Growing up playing mandolin in a trio with his brothers at bluegrass conventions, His bluegrass background is a welcome influence in the band. You can hear his upright bass playing in Cowboy Killers (Single Version) as well as Cowboy Killers on the debut EP To a Friend, From a Friend.
Jason Gonzales
Jason is a high school friend of David Carter. Jason plays electric guitar, piano, and was also a vocalist in a jazz band in high school. His work on the keys can be heard on the debut EP To a Friend, From a Friend.
Ibby Green
Ibby is the fiddle player for the Railroad Spikes, joining the band in August of 2023. Her first gig with the band was in November of 2024, playing for the Delta Chi Texas A&M Tailgate.
Miles Mueller
Miles Mueller is a good friend and fraternity brother of the Railroad Spikes’ bass player Johnny Weir. With the Railroad Spikes looking for a rhythm guitarist to fill in for a show at Johnny’s fraternity, Miles became an honorary Railroad Spike as he took to the stage with his Epiphone acoustic guitar.