Judge for Bill Smith

Taking new steps on the grand musical journey, Bill Smith has found the ability to ferment futuristic songs with classic rock instrumentation and has been leaving music fans in Chicago breathless with their heavy hitting sound. Featuring a repertoire of solid original songs seething with hooks and tastefully chosen covers, this is a band that holds a consistently high level of energy through out their sets

Late in 2006, the songwriting tandem of Ryan Chamlin and Dan "Dank" Koebnick would reunite, Dank making his way down from the Rocky Mountains to pursue a life of music in the city of Chicago. Shortly after settling in, they found their drummer in Bob Elchert, with a diverse sound and years of professional experience under his belt, he was a perfect fit, and Bill Smith was reborn. Although Ryan, Dank and Bob all met at the Shining Stars Music Festival in Cave Junction, Oregon, they didn’t play a note together until they teamed up as Bill Smith three years later. The recent addition of Drew Littel’s talents to Bob Elchert’s drumming has birthed a duosonic rhythm team remenisant of Hart and Kreutzman. Their combined talents create a steady foundation for the band’s other fresh but dexterous member, bassist Patrick Dinnen who joined the line-up in the fall of 2007

The tour de force that is Bill Smith can be seen playing shows in and around the Chicago area. The versatility of their sound, which spans from acid jazz to mountain bluegrass, appeals to a wide variety, while the band itself has a distinct identity that anchors their music. Members of Bill Smith have perform with or opened for such national acts as Galactic, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Steele Pulse, Jon Fishman, Merle Saunders, Maktub and Big Head Todd & the Monsters.