Meet The spikes
Get to know the people that make up the band that is 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).
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.
Ezra LAcomb
Succeeding The Railroad Spikes’ original drummer, Walker Lee, Ezra became the new percussive backbone of The Railroad Spikes’ rhythm section. You can find Ezra keeping a steady backbeat with a little jazz flare any time you catch David Carter and the Railroad Spikes tearing it up on stage!
The Railroad Spikes Supporting Cast
These are the individuals that have helped the Railroad Spikes off the stage, whether it be their creative prowess and business expertise or their assistance during shows with setup and sound management!1
Audrey Thompson
Audrey began helping the band with photos starting in 2024, helping the Spikes document their high energy live shows. Later on she took on more roles for the Railroad Spikes, running the band’s social media and booking shows for the band. Her experience in the world of business helped David Carter and the Railroad Spikes take their brand of rowdy country music to new heights! Along with Kathryn Medellin, Audrey is part of the Railroad Spikes’ creative team that has allowed the band to focus on perfecting their live and studio sound!
Kathryn Medellin
Kathryn started working with the band in 2025, using her knowledge of graphic design to compose unique digital posters for the band’s social media. Shortly after that she created her first original designs for the Railroad Spikes, beginning with the Crossed and Railroad Spikes designs that are now available in the band’s shop. Teaming up with the band’s social media manager/photographer, Audrey Thompson, the Railroad Spikes creative team is a large part of the band’s success!
Brogan Summers
Brogan Summers was a friend and fan of the band before he joined as their stagehand. Brogan would arrive early to shows and help with setup where he could, eventually learning how to assemble and breakdown the drum kit as well as other equipment involved in the Spikes’ live shows. He was quickly added to the band’s traveling roster as he adapted to his multiple roles including: stagehand, guitar tech, audio technician, and an all-around assistant. Brogan’s help with setup and breakdown has ensured a quick and efficient process that has saved David Carter and the Railroad Spikes valuable time and energy!
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 was the mandolin and upright bass player for, as well as a founding member of, 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 was the first 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 in November of 2024.
Bryson Serena
Bryson is an acoustic guitar player and singer, who has opened for the Railroad Spikes several times. His first show with the band was at Moe’s BBQ on Bent Creek in March of 2025. He is also known to sing backup for the Railroad Spikes behind vocalists David Carter, Cody Holder, and Johnny Weir.
Thane Alkema
Thane joined the Railroad Spikes during their search for a fiddle player to feature on their debut album. Having started playing the violin at just 3 years old, Thane joined the Railroad Spikes looking for somewhere to perform with his experience. His first show with the Railroad Spikes was at Live Oaks in the Summer of 2025, which has since progressed to him being featured in more shows since then.
Zach Vinson
Zach came to the band as a friend of the Railroad Spikes’ new fiddle player, Thane Alkema. As a multi-instrumentalist, Zach has the talents to cover a lot of areas for the Railroad Spikes including (but not limited to): Banjo, mandolin, dobro, acoustic flat picking, and rhythm guitar. His first show with the band was in March of 2026 when David Carter and the Railroad Spikes opened for Congress The Band at Delta Chi of Auburn University. Playing dobro, mandolin, and banjo during the show, Zach put his talents on display as he became an official Railroad Spike.
Luke Wilson
Luke Wilson is another student at Auburn University that found his way to The Railroad Spikes through a friend of the band. Though usually a guitarist, Luke filled in for Johnny Weir on the bass guitar for the band’s show at Theta Xi’s “Open Season” party in September of 2025.
Tucker Blythe
One of the founding members of the band, Tucker began working with the band during the recording of their debut EP. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, Tucker filled several roles for The Railroad Spikes. During his time with the band he could be found playing rhythm guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, the cajon, and singing backup vocals. His first show with the Spikes was when the band played at The Tavern at Lake Harding in January of 2024. Though he departed from the band in the summer of 2024, he will often be seen supporting the band with his acoustic guitar, serving as an opener at Railroad Spikes shows since 2025.
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). Following his graduation from Auburn University in the Spring of 2026, after 2 years and 42 shows with The Railroad Spikes, Walker Lee left the band to pursue his career in the United States Army. As the original drummer and a founding member of the band, he will always be a Railroad Spike, no matter where he is letting the hammer down!
Landry Hiett
Landry Hiett is an Auburn-based multi-instrumentalist that filled in for Ben Spooner when David Carter and the Railroad Spikes performed at Beta Theta Pi of Auburn on July 18th, 2026. Landry can play rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, and mandolin. He has also been a member of several successful Auburn-local bands, most recently the hard rock, Music Garden group Hootalocca.