The Carolina Tar Heels was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 old time string band. It originally consisted of Dock Walsh

Dock Walsh

Doctor Coble Walsh , better known as Doc/Dock Walsh, was an American banjoist, and bandleader of The Carolina Tar Heels. He formed that group with Clarence Ashley in 1925, followed by the addition of Gwen Foster...

 (b. July 23, 1901 - d. May 28, 1967) on banjo

Banjo

In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...

 and Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster was an old-time/country harmonica player who was known for work in The Carolina Tar Heels and the Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers. - Written references :...

 on harmonica.. Later Clarence Ashley

Clarence Ashley

"Tom" Clarence Ashley was an American clawhammer banjo player, guitarist and singer. He began performing at medicine shows in the Southern Appalachian region as early as 1911, and gained initial fame during the late 1920s as both a solo recording artist and as a member of various string bands...

 (b. September 29, 1895 - d. June 2, 1967) joined on guitar

Guitar

The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

 and Garley Foster (b. January 10, 1905 - d. October 5, 1968) would replace Gwen on harmonica

Harmonica

The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...

. Despite sharing a surname Gwen and Garley were not related.

The Carolina Tar Heels were active in the 1920s, and disbanded in 1932.