Named for grain-harvesting machinery, The Combine is a powerful driving string band built to fuel great dances. A combination of forces from two renowned Illinois bands, the Volo Bogtrotters and the Allen Street String band, The Combine features fiddlers Lynn “Chirps” Smith and Fred Campeau, Dave Landreth on banjo, and Steve Rosen on guitar. All are prizewinning old-time musicians and veterans of countless dance events and workshops. The Combine first joined forces to play for Seattle’s Wannadance Uptown, then moved cross country for Pinewoods American Dance Week. They are well loved throughout the Midwest and beyond: “mowing your wheat, mowing your clover — nine ways ‘til Sunday.”

Lynn “Chirps” Smith started out playing old-time music on mandolin in the 1970’s with the venerable Indian Creek Delta Boys. Through extensive seeking out and field recording of older fiddlers in rural Illinois, the band preserved a vanishing repertoire of tunes from the pre-radio era. Chirps has continued to share this wealth of traditional dance tunes through his work with the Volo Bogtrotters, New Bad Habits and the myriad musicians of the Chicago Barn Dance Company, and aspiring fiddlers across the country.

Fred Campeau has been a favorite performer of old-time, folk and blues music around Chicago since his early days hosting open mike sessions in the 1970s. He has played with the Chicago Barn Dance Company since its inception in 1978. Equally at home on all string band instruments, he played banjo with the CBDC’s touring band The Polecats. In 1985 he joined with Chirps in creating the double fiddle sound of the Volo Bogtrotters. With The Combine, Fred and Chirps continue to explore and expand the interplay of melody, harmonies and rhythm that make a tune exceptionally danceable.

Dave Landreth has toured and taught old-time banjo for over two decades, as a solo performer and with the Allen Street String band, appearing at festivals, dances, workshops and venues of all sizes. Though based in St. Louis, MO (a long way from Chicago), Dave crossed paths with the Volos often, and the late night jam sessions were truly great. Drafted for The Combine, Dave speedily incorporated his masterful picking into the ensemble’s sound, providing a rolling momentum and lift to the dancing.

Tim Foss will be playing the guitar though he is very well known as an outstanding fiddler. He is form Wisconsin and is a revered treasure. He also plays in New Bad Habits with Chirps and Dave. He is a multi instrumentalist as can be witnessed on his solo cd “The Cat Came Back” where he plays all of the instruments.

The Combine play the Old-Time dance Friday night and at various workshops and jams on Saturday. Bring your dancin’ shoes, and instrument, or both!