Ted Jones & The Tarheel Boys specialize in traditional bluegrass and gospel music. The group was founded in 2004 by Ted Jones who was eighteen years old at the time. No stranger to performing, Ted began playing guitar and singing gospel music with his family at the early age of eight in a bluegrass gospel band called True Gospel. While entertaining through the years, Ted became friends with mandolin player Nelson Allen who actually gave Ted his first mandolin when he was eleven. After learning a few chords, the mandolin soon became his first instrument of choice. Upon hearing the close brother-duet harmony of Jim and Jesse McReynolds and Jesse's unique cross-picking style of mandolin playing, Ted perfected that distinct style of mandolin playing for himself by ear. Since the band’s formation, it has undergone several changes in musicians. On each show Ted is backed up by some multi-talented musicians playing guitar, banjo, upright bass, and fiddle.