“Fiddle And Banjo” is the duo of Roger Matthews on banjo & Michael Smartt on fiddle. Michael replaced Dan O'Day in October of 2017 when he moved to North Carolina to be close to his family. Roger and Michael have found a great partnership as they perform the music played on those instruments that has been passed down for generations. The name says what we are and what we do in three words. What surprises us is that we’re yet to find a group anywhere else with that name”. “Fiddle And Banjo” is in many ways a tribute to their individual heroes, Earl Scruggs and Paul Warren.
From time to time either Roger or Michael may not be available for some reason. In that event a “backup” may perform.
Fiddle & Banjo was courteous and professional for our Fall Festival! These gentlemen played wonderfully in the Arkansas humidity, and smiled throughout the whole gig. After witnessing such talent, I can totally see where the excellence shines through. I would definitely recommend Fiddle & Banjo for any function with a crowd eager for something spectacular!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
On behalf of Bob and Michael…Thank you so very much for your comments. FIDDLE AND BANJO is looking forward to the next opportunity to perform for your organization!!
We booked Fiddle and Banjo to provide live music for our organization's annual event. They were wonderful to work with. We also had them play the national anthem at the opening of our meeting and everyone loved it! We were also asked by some others for their contact information that were interested in booking them for some other events.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
That you and everyone in your organization.
It was our privilege!
FIDDLE AND BANJO
All of the residents at our apartment LOVED listening to them play! Such lovely music for a summer night. They were kind and very very talented!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you so very much Ashton!
There are many reason FIDDLE AND BANJO continues to exist , but responses like yours and your friends ranks very high among those reasons!!
Photos from this event
These gentlemen played fiddle and banjo for our Family Meet & Greet event at The Club at Old Hawthorne. They brought a fun light hearted sound to our event and we so appreciated having them there. Would definitely recommend them!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you so much for your kind words. They bring joy to our hearts!
Photos from this event
I booked wirh Fiddle & Banjo for my Mother's 81st birthday.
Let me say there wasn't a still hand or foot the whole time
Everyone said the were the best they had heard in a long time,
And my Mother said she's had alot of wonderful birthdays,
But this one was her favorite
Of all time! Gentlemen Thank you so much!
They were wonderful! Great music and really nice gentlemen. We will have them again if we have events with live music!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you SO much for your kind words!!
Fiddle and Banjo showed up early, stayed late and played as long (and willing to go longer) as we had hired them to play. The crowd enjoyed the music. THANKS, Fiddle and Banjo for helping to make our event a success!
These guys did a fantastic job filling the dancefloor. They are both extremely talented musicians and performed a wonderful show for a fraction of other acts.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you for the kind words sir.
And a special thanks for booking Fiddle And Banjo so far in advance. We wish you many, many happy years!!!
Fiddle And Banjo
This was the second year in a row I've had these guys for our family reunion, and I plan on having them back next year. They are very professional, even more talented, and incredibly personable. The guys just seem to always know the right volume and mood of the crowd as it morphs during the event, sometimes providing light background music, and other times being right at the forefront for a toe-tapping, hand clapping time enjoyed by all.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you so much Shelly!
Already looking forward to next year!
Fiddle And Banjo
Great music and talent! Made for a perfect evening to kick off autumn. Would have them back again and again!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Bless you, Glenna!
So honored!
These two were terrific for our church picnic They provided excellent music, shaping their set to play for the people who had come. They were also great to visit with and were very friendly. Their fee was very reasonable for the skill level at which they played. Hope to have them back next year.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you for the kind words!!
We’d love to come back.
They are amazing!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Thank you so much, Conor!!
The music was fantastic and Dan and Roger were a pleasure! Best fiddle and banjo players around!
Professional, personable and fabulous musicians. All ages were entertained. Skip the drums and all the add on instruments. Fiddle and a Banjo is all you need.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
You folks were unbelievable hosts. Thank you so very much!
These guys were both professional and very talented! They arrived on time, and played some great bluegrass for us. Besides good music, they provided some historical background on the songs. I highly recommend them, thanks for the great show!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
It was a pleasure to play for you ladies and gentlemen!!!
Thank you so very much!!!
Fiddle And Banjo played for our daughter and son in laws wedding reception. They were exactly what we wanted and needed for our event. Everyone loved them and thought they did an amazing job! I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to add that special touch of live music to their event!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe:
Thank you very much for your kind words. We could not imagine a more beautiful setting for your beautiful daughter's (and handsome son-in-law's) reception. We will never forget the honor of being a part of it.
Fiddle And Banjo were perfect for our Derby Day event! Dan and Roger exceeded our expectations, and were a delight to work with. They are amazing entertainers, and very professional and accommodating. Our customers loved their music and enjoyed the atmosphere they created.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Teresa:
The pleasure was equally ours...or more so. What a wonderful group of people to play for. Thank you so very much for having us as part of your Derby Day!
Photos from this event
Dan was so precise with booking details. And then we were overwhelmed by their talent. True professionals. Brought tremendous joy to every age at our party!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
The joy was ours, Linda!.
You and everyone there were so gracious and such fun!!
Thank you all so very much!!!
These two guys can turn-up enough music to bring people to their feet right off the starting line. The auto dealership I work for engaged Fiddle and Banjo to provide entertainment for the first of four weekends of a Grand Re-Opening after a major remodel of the dealership. They were attentive to upfront issues of booking, offered some good ideas to the structure of the three hour session and arrive early enough to set-up, tune up, and get set to charm the audience. They delivered, we were very happy with their performance.
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Jim, a big thank you to you, Mr.Deal, and the Beines for choosing Fiddle And Banjo to be be a part of your Grand re-opening. Continued success! We had a ball!!
We hired Fiddle and Banjo to play at our Customer Appreciation Cookout at Orchard Hills Pharmacy and Floral in Springfield. We and our guests immensely enjoyed their music and personality. Their fee was very fair and were professional. Would definitely recommend for an enjoyable event!
Response from Fiddle And Banjo:
Jeff. You are very kind. It was our honor, and we can say only great things about you, your family, your staff and your customers!
Price Range: $500 minimum + travel from Springfield
Gig Length: 45 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
Our act depends on the venue. We take two approaches.
1. If primarily background ambiance is desired, we say nothing, play and play and play. We vary the tempos, the lead instrument and are very careful to follow the direction of the client.
2. If the venue is one that lends itself to interaction with the audience (small venue) we will often explain the origin of the tune we play (Sally Gooden for example) was mostly likely called "Boatin' up Sandy" referring to the Big Sandy River in Eastern Kentucky, but got it's name given to it by Confederate soldiers (Morgan's Raiders)in honor of an inn keeper by the name of Sally Goodwin. Or so its told.
3. If the venue is a festival, our act takes on a more traditional approach but with more of the interaction indicated
Roger Matthews is recognized as perhaps one of the best "Scruggs Style" banjo players in the Midwest...if not the entire country. In the Mid 70's, he won the Malibu Mountain Bluegrass festival California banjo championship. Over the years he has played with "Cream of Kentucky". He performed many times at Silver Dollar City starting in 1980 with " Evergreen". He is a original member of Radio Flyer. The group Midnight Flight featured Roger on banjo for nearly 20 years toured throughout the country and one year was the winner or Silver Dollar City's single mic contest. Roger is currently the Banjo Player in exclusively gospel group Red Letter Edition.
MICHAEL SMARTT is from La Vergne, Tennessee, and grew up in a musical family and began playing the fiddle at the age of 13. He has enjoyed success in the contest circuit and played on a variety stages from local churches to the 1996 Olympics, and eventually at the Grand Ole Opry's Ryman Auditorium. Music opportunities led to his travels in Europe, Puerto Rico, and many U.S. states.
In October of 2017, Michael replaced Dan O'Day in the duo. Dan is a big, big fan of Michael's playing and is delighted with the continuance of Fiddle And Banjo.
We play sitting down behind a small folding table (30X30 inches) with the idea of our having been invited to play in your house (regardless of how big😀
Sometimes we do use not a mic. When we do, we use an Ear Trumpet "Myrtle".
Our sound system is a Mackie FreePlay which is ideal for audiences up to about 150. When using systems provided by the venue, all we require is a single mic cord.
| October 07, 2023 • 11:00am - 2:00pm | Fair |
| September 23, 2023 • 5:30pm - 8:30pm | Festival |
| August 12, 2023 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| July 28, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| May 21, 2023 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Festival |
| March 19, 2023 • 3:30pm - 6:30pm | Fair |
| September 30, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Festival |
| September 22, 2021 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| May 22, 2021 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | House Party |
| April 02, 2021 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Fundraiser |
| October 11, 2019 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Reception |
| September 08, 2019 • 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Personal Occasion |
| August 31, 2019 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Camp Event |
| June 01, 2019 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| June 01, 2019 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Corporate Event |
| August 26, 2018 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Anniversary Party |
| February 17, 2018 • 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Reception |
| October 14, 2017 • 6:30pm - 10:30pm | House Party |
| September 16, 2017 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
| September 09, 2017 • 12:30pm - 3:00pm | House Party |
| August 26, 2017 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm | House Party |
| June 10, 2017 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Cow Creek Bluegrass Festival |
| June 03, 2017 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| May 06, 2017 • 11:00am - 3:00pm | Corporate Event |
| December 16, 2016 • 3:30pm - 5:30pm | Graduation |
| December 11, 2016 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | The Library Center |
| November 19, 2016 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Grand Re-opening Republic-Ford Lincoln |
| October 08, 2016 • 11:00am - 1:30pm | Festival |
| September 22, 2016 • 6:45pm - 9:00pm | Village Inn Ozark |
| September 22, 2016 • 6:30pm - 9:00pm | Live at Village Inn Ozark |
Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Mills (and many others)on Banjo
Paul Warren, Kenny Baker, Bobby Hicks and my brother Roger Williams on Fiddle
As to groups...Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys, The Stanley Brothers, The Foggy Mountain Boys,
Normally we are acoustic. We have our own set up
Denver, CO 
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