Rachel and Matt Combs http://www.mattcombs.com/
Rachel and Matt Combs are a duo from Nashville, Tennessee. Matt Combs, a 20 year veteran of the Nashville, Tennessee, music scene, and the staff fiddler and mandolinist for The Grand Ole Opry, can be heard nearly every weekend kicking off America’s longest running radio show with the sound of the Grand Ole Opry fiddle. This is a tradition that dates back to the beginnings of the Opry, and one he proudly carries on to this day. In addition to playing in the Opry’s house band, Matt also tours with legendary singer and country music icon Reba McIntire. Rachel Combs, married to Matt, grew up in a historical music environment with her dad, James Bryan having played with Norman and Nancy Blake since the early 80s. Ever since Rachel was a teenager she learned guitar and played with her dad and also in Norman’s band. She can be heard on the recording “Rising Fawn Gathering” featuring Norman, Nancy, the Boys of the Lough, and James and Rachel (Bryan). She also appeared with Norman on “A Prairie Home Companion” and has also played the Grand Ole Opry several times with Mike Snider.
Over the past 20 years as a sideman, Matt has played with countless artists, including John Hartford, Jimmy Martin, Dan Auerbach, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band, and has been nominated for a Grammy. He currently maintains a active recording schedule adding his part to productions by T Bone Burnett, Dan Auerbach, Don Was, Steve Gibson, Dave Ferguson and many more and is a member of the John Hartford String Band.
Since moving to Nashville after graduating with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan, Matt has played with many of the best singers and players in country, bluegrass and old time music—including 11 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. During this time, Matt was nominated for a Grammy and won the 2012 Grandmaster Traditional Fiddle contest. Matt’s Television work has included appearances on “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The View”, “Nashville”, and other musical specials on ABC, PBS, and CMT.
In addition to his busy playing schedule, Matt maintains his position as Head of the Fiddle Department at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, and records music all around Nashville studios and at his home studio in East Nashville.
Rachel and Matt , they have written new songs to sing and will be releasing their debut album in the summer of ’18, Produced but Dave “Fergie” Ferguson, and recorded at Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Studio.Rachel and Matt’s new recording is a product of their personal and musical life together and is inspired by all of the artists in their orbit. Now, as band leaders, they are very excited to begin this portion of their musical life.