BIOS

West Virginia native NATE STRASSER has been writing music for films since his college days in California. Strasser discovered his passion for music at the age of 4 with piano; he went on to master cello, organ, and has composed in many styles for ensembles such as solo piano, string quartet, brass quintet, big bands and full orchestra. He has performed as a soloist with the Wheeling Symphony, Washington Symphonic Orchestra, and on the main stage at the Heritage Port BluesFest. He received his BA in Jazz Studies from West Virginia University, and completed the Scoring for Motion Pictures Program at USC. Since moving to Nashville, Nate has become a sought-after session musician for many Grammy- winning artists and producers while pursuing a busy musical career as a film and television composer, pianist and songwriter. Compositions by Strasser include the theme for stop-motion animated film “The Healing Tree” (based on the Shel Silverstein book The Giving Tree.) Nate was the pianist for the score of the new Universal Pictures movie “Harriet” released in November 2019, about the life of American hero Harriett Tubman. While pursuing his music career, he also serves as the music director for East Brentwood Presbyterian (EBPC) in Brentwood, Tennessee. NateStrasser.com

Grammy nominated instrumentalist MATT COMBS has become one of Nashville’s most unique and sought after recording musicians. In 2018, he was a writer and instrumentalist on the most popular video game of the year, “Red Dead Redemption 2”. This past year, Matt also recorded and arranged strings on several recordings including releases from: Cage the Elephant, Yola, Dan Auerbach, Jake Bugg, Shannon Shaw, Kendall Marvel and Dee White. 2018 also saw the premiere of Matt and Nate Strasser’s orchestral composition, “Appalachian Rhapsody”. Played by the Nashville Concerto Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony, the Appalachian Rhapsody was received with rave reviews and immediate standing ovations. In addition to his recording and performance, Matt along with the estate of John Hartford, released a book entitled: “John Hartford’s Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes”. In addition to his recording work, Matt has served as house fiddler for the Grand Ole Opry, and house bands for CMA and ACM awards shows. As a new recording studio owner, Matt spends his time producing music for records, film and television. On screen, his music has been heard on “Color out of Space” starring Nic Cage, the mini series “Hatfields and McCoy’s”, starring Kevin Costner, “Patsy and Loretta”, “Roots” with Forrest Whittaker, and commercial spots for Toyota and Doublemint Gum. Matt also lent his talents on and off the screen for ABC’s hit show “Nashville”. Known for his versatility, Matt has worked with the best producers in the music business including, T-bone Burnett, Dan Auerbach, Steve Gibson, Don Was, Buddy Miller, David “Fergie” Ferguson, Jarrad K and Alison Brown. Mattcombs.com

Nate and Matt collaborated to compose Appalachian Rhapsody for fiddle, piano and full orchestra, and for the Christmas album Americana Carols, released in November 2019. Net proceeds from the album will benefit EBPC’s mission programs. AmericanaCarols.org