Smith plays with regional acts such as Growler, The Leadfoot Band and The Grateful String Band. He most recently recorded and performes with Grammy winner Jim Peterik, co-founder and frontman of the bands Survivor, The Ides of March, Pride of Lions and World Stage. Smith has played Peterik’s top hits “Eye of The Tiger,” “Vehicle,” “Hold On Loosely” and other familiar songs on stage with the singer in his band, Jim Peterik & The Stormchasers which still performs today. Smith has also shared the stage and performed alongside Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Don Stiernberg, Robbie Fulks, Chicago, Tony Furtado, Greg Cahill & Special Consensus, Jeff Austin, Elephant Revival & Greensky Bluegrass, etc.
Pete and his trio were everything we had hoped for in a wedding band. They were able to emcee the evening for us, and of course did a terrific job. Pete was very flexible and was able to adapt to a changing schedule quickly. The music itself was absolutely incredible. Pete is a true professional musician, as was the entire trio. I got compliments from everyone in my family, some expressing jealousy they hadn't found Pete for their own wedding! They played a perfect blend of music throughout the night, got people dancing, and everyone had a great time. I couldn't have been more happy with choosing Pete Smith.
Price Range: $800 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
No matter what band Pete is providing, you can expect Bluegrass infused with Rock & Roll, Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, and Folk all wrapped up into one show. We play pop covers and can style the set however you would like from straight bluegrass to more wedding band material.
Banjoist, singer, songwriter and Chicagoan Pete Smith is an energetic, progressive 5-string player specializing in the three-finger Scruggs style. Smith began his music training at age 18 under Grammy-nominated Greg Cahill at Chicago’s acclaimed Old Town School of Folk Music. Smith has since developed a style rooted in the rich traditions of banjo while bringing in new musical ideas to captivate audiences across the region.
Smith plays with regional acts such as Growler, The Leadfoot Band and The Grateful String Band. He most recently recorded and performed with Grammy winner Jim Peterik, co-founder and frontman of the bands Survivor, The Ides of March, Pride of Lions and World Stage. Smith has played Peterik’s top hits “Eye of The Tiger,” “Vehicle,” “Hold On Loosely” and other familiar songs on stage with the singer in his band, Jim Peterik & The Stormchasers which still performs today.
Smith has also shared the stage and performed alongside Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Don Stiernberg, Robbie Fulks, Chicago, Tony Furtado, Greg Cahill & Special Consensus, Jeff Austin, Elephant Revival, Greensky Bluegrass, Larry Keel, Roland White, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The SteelDrivers, The Emmitt Nershi Band, Aaron Neville & Dumpstaphunk, Dawes, The Revivalists, Leroy Bach of Wilco and several others.
While staying true to his bluegrass roots, Smith drives the five-string banjo into uncharted areas with a deep passion for writing music and performing live. Fans of bluegrass, rock, folk, country and more will find a like-minded spirit and sound in Pete Smith.
| June 12, 2018 • 5:30pm - 9:30pm | Wedding Reception |
Pete is steeped in many different musical styles but finds its biggest influences to be: Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, Belá Fleck, David Grisman, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Jimmy Martin and Django Reinhardt- to name a few.
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