James & the Renegade Mountain Band (RMB) is a northern New Mexico country band known for preserving the outlaw country genre.

Carothers’ accent ain’t no accident! He was born in west Tennessee and spent his early childhood years in McNairy County. James was strongly encouraged to play guitar and sing by his father, who was pretty much like Michael Jackson’s dad. After Jim Sr. figured out his son never would moon-walk, he made the young boy listen to Hank Jr. over and over until James would answer only to the name “Bocephus.” Jim Sr. wrote “Puttin’ on the Dog”, a song recorded and performed by Mike Snider at the Grand Old Opry and covered by Aaron Wilburn of the Gaither Vocal Band.

Trent McCuistian (drums) gives more rhythmic flare than traditional country drummers while keeping the sound tasteful. Back in the day, Trent could be found rocking out with Van Halen/Rush cover bands in west Texas. Nowadays, Trent’s writing and coming up with ideas for original country tunes. Trent also enjoys long walks on the beach and getting yelled at by other members of the band for being “too darn loud!”

Dean Rimmer began his musical journey at the end of the last ice age. While his contemporaries chased mastodon across the frozen tundra, Dean was becoming a master of the five-string and the pedal steel. Dean’s a pro and you can tell; he was on the “Haight-Ashbury” scene, up and down the west coast, and Texas in more recent years (played with lots of famous people). He also plays a mean telecaster. Dean is wise man, but not a licensed therapist.

The group's debut EP, “Around the Middle,” recorded at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, NM by Bill Palmer, marks Carothers’ and RMBs first professional recording venture. James & RMB are respected for skipping modern clichés, admired for staying true, and doing it like they want to – the Renegade way!