James Carothers

Nashville honky-tonk crooner James Carothers is best known for his stone-country originals and spot-on impressions of some of country music's greatest icons.

James has performed in Nashville since 2015, having played over 2500 shows at venues like AJ's Good Time Bar, Martin’s BBQ, The Nashville Palace, and Music City Bar when he's not on the road. He enjoys playing at fairs, festivals, bars, corporate events, and private events across the United States and has also traveled to Canada, Japan, Scotland, Norway, Lichtenstein, Brazil, and the Faroe Islands for shows.

Just before the 2020 shutdown, James fulfilled a lifelong dream by making his Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium, where he received two standing ovations from crowds that included many friends and family. Another milestone was being selected by Alan Jackson to open several dates on Jackson’s Honky Tonk Highway & Last Call: One More For The Road tours during the past few years.

James released his latest single, “Muscadine Wine,” in 2024. Previous releases include several singles and albums Whatcha Got Left (2021), Songs & Stories (2019), Still Country, Still King: A Tribute to George Jones (2018), Relapse (2017), and Honky Tonk Land (2014).

Raised in rural Tennessee, Carothers grew up leading acapella singing each Sunday at the Church of Christ. His father, Jim, was a hobby songwriter who landed a song he wrote on the Grand Ole Opry (Puttin’ On the Dog, performed by Mike Snider). Jim recorded some studio albums in Nashville before moving the family out west for work while his son was still in grade school. Inspired by his dad, James always toyed with songwriting and began playing his shows in local honky-tonks around New Mexico during his teens and 20s. Meanwhile, he married, started a family, and paid the bills as a technician at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, working where the atomic bomb was created.

In 2015, James left his job at LANL and returned to his native state of Tennessee to pursue a country music career. Shortly after arriving in Nashville, George Jones's widow, Nancy, personally hired him for his first steady gig at the George Jones Museum, which allowed him to begin doing something he’s thankful for and that so many aspiring artists moving to Nashville dream of doing – make a living playing music. In addition to supporting his family, performing in Nashville has helped Carothers build a large fan base of fiercely supportive followers who appreciate his Tennessee twang, southern storytelling, and throwback country style.
Highlights:
• Received a standing ovation following Grand Ole Opry debut performance at the Ryman Auditorium
• Selected to open Alan Jackson’s show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN in October 2021, in addition to many tour dates on Jackson’s “Honky Tonk Highway” tour (2019 – 2025)
• Listed as one of Rolling Stone Country’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know”
• WSM Road Show Winner
• Has opened for Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Trace Adkins, The Charlie Daniels Band, Mickey Gilley, Dustin Lynch, Cody Johnson, Ben Haggard, Joe Diffie, Lonestar, Shenandoah, & more.

Sound and lighting available for an additional charge or you can provide it. If you hire locally, James will need to speak with the vendor providing sound and lighting to ensure they're on the same page and can provide what he and the band need for a great show.