TEDDY BARNCASTLE (GUITAR)

Teddy Barneycastle was surrounded by music his entire life. At 5 years old, Teddy was part of The Barneycastle Trio, a gospel group composed of his mother, aunt, and oldest sister. By age 12, he was a regular performer at many area churches. Teddy discovered rock and roll like most adolescents, which expanded his musical taste. His first rock gig was with Crystal Image, a local rock band that gave Teddy a new understanding of live audiences and stage energy. This experience also gave Teddy a platform for his soulful voice.   

When Teddy was 20, he and his mother attended an Osborne Brothers show, and it was a moment that changed his life; he made a decision that he wanted to create bluegrass music. Shortly after that, he began working with local bluegrass groups, including The Carolina Travelers and The Hard Times Band. In 1994, Teddy co-founded NiteFlyer with Ralph McGee. NiteFlyer had a successful run, appearing at the legendary Winston-Salem hotspot, and Ziggy's, every month. 

The band recorded their first debut album, I Don't Think You Love Me Anymore, featured in the film, On The Ice.  In 2000, Teddy stepped away from NiteFlyer and moved his family to Texas to pursue his education at Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Seminary.

Despite his studies, Teddy continued his passion for performing. He landed a gig at Johnny High's Country Music Review, where he won the 2001 Most Promising New Act award presented by Country Music Review. In 2003, Teddy returned to North Carolina 2003, reunited with Ralph McGee, and founded what is now known as the GoodFellers.  Teddy has shared the stage with a host of notable singers and musicians, including, but not limited to Buck Trent (Johnny Cash), Steve Holy, Chad Poynter, Mike Stewart, Sammy Shelor, and Pat Flynn.  

Teddy plays the rhythm guitar and adds a unique, powerful lead vocal that has helped root the band's dynamic sound. Over the last few years, Teddy has become one of the favorites among male vocalists in the Grassicana Bluegrass genres. His range and power are reminiscent of John Cowan (New Grass Revival), but that is as far as a comparison you can draw. Teddy is in a class of his own. He is just as comfortable performing Bill Monroe as he is performing hits by Journey, Led Zeppelin, or just about any "hair band" of the 1980s. His vocal range allows the GoodFellers to cover a wide range of music, from Flatt & Scruggs to Don Henley. If you can play it, Teddy can sing it.  

Over the last year, all three featured singles from the album, "Love Somebody," which are To Love Somebody, Where the Streets Have No Name, and I Know Where Love Lives, have charted monthly o the Grassicana Bluegrass Today Charts. All have reached the number 1 and top 5 charting positions.

Kyser received his first instrument, a mandolin, at age 6. At age 9 (2014), he took up the bass and served as the bass player for ShadowGrass until 2020, when he transitioned to guitar. Kyser is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who plays anything with strings; Kyser draws influences from the many genres of music he enjoys, from bluegrass to funk and everything in between. His favorite artists include Mountain Heart, Lonesome River Band, Cadillac Sky, Newfound Road, Punch Brothers, John Mayer, Boyz II Men, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dave Matthews Band, and Otis Redding and Vulfpeck.   

In 2016 and 2017, Kyser was selected to participate in the International Bluegrass Music Association Kids on Bluegrass program. In 2017, Kyser appeared with The Salty Dogs, a youth bluegrass "supergroup" compiled by the IBMA, on NBC's Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey. 

Kyser has also appeared on The Today Show with ShadowGrass. He has played at the Richmond Folk Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Lowell Folk Festival, and HoustonFest. In late 2019, Kyser released his first solo album, Taking the Lead. He has also appeared on stage with bluegrass veterans Sammy Shelor, Lou Reid, Jimmy Haley, and Pat Flynn.   

Kyser joined the GoodFellers along with his father, David George, who plays bass and dobro in the band. Kyser plays lead guitar and mandolin as well as singing harmony vocals. He is considered one of the most versatile musicians in the industry, and playing with the GoodFellers allows him to venture outside traditional music. Teddy Barneycastle and Ralph Mcgee are the founding members of the GoodFeller.  When asked about Kyser joining the band, both said, "Kyser is one of the best guitarists out there today and will always have a place with the GoodFellers as long as he wants it; the dude can play!" 

David began his musical career as a drummer when he was 13. In later years, David explored a variety of stringed instruments and immediately fell in love with the upright and electric bass. He has performed in a variety of bands, ranging from traditional bluegrass to jazz. David has also played mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, and Dobro (resophonic guitar). His primary influences are Neil Peart and Geddy Lee of Rush and New Grass Revival. David cites Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, Stu Hamm, Todd Phillips, Edgar Meyer, and Adam Nitti as his bass, “heroes.” 

In college, David co-founded the progressive bluegrass group, 4th Root, with Hank Smith (Hank, Pattie, & the Current). 4th Root performed a mix of bluegrass and jazz all over the Southeast and served as an opening act for Acoustic Syndicate and The Del McCoury Band. For the last 15 years, David has been the bass player for The Not Bros. Band, a North Carolina-based beach and R&B band that broke the Top 40 charts with an original song, “Dancing Into The Night.” He has appeared as a guest musician on several recordings as a percussionist, bassist, and vocalist. David has recently filled the bass chair for ShadowGrass when his son, Kyser George, transitioned to guitar. He has shared the stage with bluegrass heavyweights Jimmy Haley, Lou Reid, Jeff Hooker, Pat Flynn, and Daniel Greeson. 

David is considered one the most, “technical” bass players in the business despite the fact he is self-taught and only received formal training as a percussionist. He has served as a mentor to other bassists in the industry and written several reviews on bass-related equipment for Pro Audio Review. He can play a traditional 1-5 pattern with metronomic precision and transition immediately into a Bootsy Collins-inspired, “slap-a-thon.” If the song calls for it, David can switch over to the fretless electric bass for subtle vibrato, grab an upright bass for an arco passage, or pound out percussive tones on his homemade washtub bass. He is a walking encyclopedia of bass knowledge. 

David is a natural fit for the GoodFellers’ style of bluegrass. He brings a unique approach to the bass as a result of his diverse musical background and technical expertise. With the ability to emulate almost any style of music, David has no problem providing the low-end for the GoodFellars’ varied pursuits, whether it be Bill Monroe or Audioslave. David is an avid outdoorsman and prides himself as a collector of rare and vintage bass guitars (40 and counting!). David proudly endorses REMIC microphones.

Born into bluegrass, mandolin player Ralph McGee caught the cold lick bug from Sam Bush in his early teens and never looked back; his style takes the best of the old and hurls it forward like a rock through a window. Always playing with some version of the McGee Family Band and award-winning regular on the festival circuit, Ralph formed Nite Flyer in the ’90s with a core group that would eventually become the Goodfellers.

Instead, he’s playing traditional or progressive bluegrass. Moss truly knows no limits. Tommy has played with several talented acts throughout his musical career and is well known for being an award-winning songwriter and backup vocalist. His versatility, passion for grass, and heart for banjo found Tommy a full-time home with the genre roaming GoodFellers. Tommy provides something extra for the band and is unique and refreshing for the sound Goodfellers provides.