Playing for his hometown… ‘The Voice’ Peters delights large gathering
Published 9:23 pm Monday, December 6, 2021
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Not even a slight chill could keep Carson Peters’ biggest fans from gathering in downtown on Sunday for a concert by Carter County’s favorite fiddling son.
Peters and his band, Iron Mountain, played a wide range of instrumentals and vocals from Christmas music to the title song of their new album, “Grass Stains.”.
Prior to the main concert, Peters joined his classmates from the Elizabethton High School Choral Department under the direction of Debbie Gouge to serenade the audience with a program of Christmas music.
“I am so proud of these guys,” said Gouge. “This is the first time they have been out singing together for the last 18 months and the first time both men’s and women’s ensembles have sung together this year.”
A favorite sung by the men’s ensemble was “Bells Will Be Ringing” as Peters and each member took a line or two from the song and performed solos.
Jennifer Greenwell and Andrew McKeehan with Carter County Bank, which sponsored the concert, thanked everyone for coming out as well as Joy McCray, Executive Director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce and Kelly Kitchens from the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation for making the event happen.
Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander, who admitted to the crowd that he had never watched “The Voice'” before his family made him watch when Peters was a contestant, presented a plaque to the musician. “You have been a great ambassador for our community and I know that you will be very successful going forward,” Alexander said.
Peters has gained a greater national following since his appearance on the popular NBC singing show. His free concert on Sunday was a way to give back to the community that has supported him not only during “The Voice” but throughout his career. As a young fiddler, Peters made appearances with country music star Ricky Skaggs and on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Peters is a member of the EHS golf team and has earned a scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville to study music.
