Carter Anthony Beauford (born November 2, 1958, in Charlottesville, Virginia) is a drummer, percussionist, and founding member of Dave Matthews Band. He is known for his ability to mix together countless percussion styles, his ambidextrous approach to playing, and is highly-regarded for his open hand drumming style, where his left hand leads on the hi-hat and ride cymbal in a conventional right-handed drumset set-up. He plays the drums and sings backing vocals in the band.