THE BAND
Hailing from The Windy City, Pete is a high-energy, progressive 5-string banjo player specializing in the three-finger or Scruggs style. At a young age, Pete began studying under Grammy nominated, Greg Cahill at Chicago’s acclaimed Old Town School of Folk Music and has spent years perfecting his technical sound. His unique style has captivated the hearts of fans and audience members across the region in the years since.
While staying true to his bluegrass roots, Pete now continues to drive the five-string banjo into new exciting genres and has an exhausting passion for writing music & performing live.
Pete Smith – Banjo
A Chicago native and life long music lover, Pat was inspired to become a musician after his older brother showed him a series of chords on the guitar and convinced him to buy a mandolin. Within months Pat began attending jam sessions which eventually led to a barrage of picking vacations to the great state of Kentucky and street performances in Mountain View, Arkansas.
One of the most versatile mandolinists in the Midwest, Pat has honed a signature playing style all his own which covers everything from traditional & progressive bluegrass to Irish sets, swingin' gypsy jazz, rock & roll, gritty blues and classical movements.
Pat Otto – Mandolin
Aaron Smith – Bass
Aaron is a bassist, banjoist, and vocalist from central Ohio who has been making a name for himself in Chicagoland's acoustic music scene since moving to the area in mid-2014. Though primarily a bluegrass player, he doesn't hesitate to let his taste for old time, jazz, and experimental music shine through.
Mike Drassler – Guitar
Mike is a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist musician who prefers playing guitar in a bluegrass band over anything else. He hails from Peoria, Illinois where he was steeped in blues, rock, country, and everything in between. Mike's contemporary interpretation of flat-picking pushes bluegrass into the 21st century.
