Taking you back… to the music you love

Acoustic classic-rock & Americana duo music group, Cincinnati, OH

Encore Duo is the musical combination of talented vocalist and guitarist Mike Combs, and versatile singer-songwriter Bob Bridges.

As much musical brothers as band-mates, Mike and Bob have played and sung together in bands and ensembles since they met in college. Even earlier, their musical paths were influenced by the close harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers, the Righteous Brothers, the Beatles and the Eagles. Through the years, Bob and Mike have crafted their unforgettable harmonies and unique vocal blend, and have achieved an uncanny synchronicity of instrumental rhythm.

Encore Duo’s shows feature an audience-pleasing mix of original songs, American Roots music, popular standards, country and classic rock, covering such artists as Zac Brown Band, Willie Nelson, Jason Mraz and Crosby, Stills and Nash. With their home-spun, relaxed stage presence and a sheer command of their craft, they delight their audiences with familiar and favorite classic hits that soon have everyone joining in the fun, dancing and singing along.

Meet Encore Duo

Click the photos or names to read more:

Bob Bridges Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Harmonica

Mike Combs Vocals, Guitar

Mike Combs

Vocals, Guitar

Mike Combs launched his career as a lead guitarist at the age of 14 with Cincinnati pop-rock band Aquillus and continues to carry the torch some 30+ years later.  Honing his skills as lead guitarist and lead singer with local cover bands like Footloose and as the bass guitarist with the Southbound Bluegrass Band, Mike has found a permanent home as the front man for the Encore band.  Beginning with his own high school musicals and choral competitions, he has sung and played guitar with local theater companies as well as the Clermont College Music Department. He has lent his talent to productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof and Hello Dolly, both as a singer and an orchestra member.  TV and radio appearances include performances on WNKU’s Bluegrass Hour and a solo on WCET’s Christmas special.  While Mike continues to serve up lead guitar with the Encore band, his Encore Duo shows with Bob provide the welcome opportunity for both to meet again as friends with each other and with their audiences, and to more personally connect in smaller venues and more intimate setting.

Bob Bridges

Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Harmonica

Versatile singer-songwriter Bob Bridges listened to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson while growing up in a suburb of Cincinnati. Bob’s father instilled a love for music in Bob and his siblings, teaching them, at a young age, to sing harmony together during long family car trips. In his teen years, Bob studied organ with Add Lovejoy, and occasionally tagged along with his teacher to his night job, playing the stadium organ at Reds’ home games. Bob also started writing songs while in high school.

Bob met Mike Combs while they were classmates at the University of Cincinnati. They soon formed the Encore band, with Bob singing lead and backup, and playing keyboard and harmonica. He and Mike formed an enduring musical kinship that continues today with the Encore Duo and Encore Trio. Bob continued growing as a songwriter through the years, and. wrote most of the original songs for his recent collaboration with Mike, The Encore Duo.

Today, Bob sings and plays guitar, piano and harmonica in the Encore Duo and Encore Trio. He also works as a contract analyst in the health-care industry during the week. On Sundays, Bob leads the music at his church, and directing both the choir and the praise band.

Our Music

Encore Duo audio clips

A Sampling of Tasty Tunes

Here’s an excerpt from the hundreds of great songs in  Encore Duo‘s repertoire:

“I’d Have to Be Crazy”, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” – Willie Nelson
“Bring it On Home to Me” – The Righteous Brothers
“Brown Eyed Girl”, “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
“Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” – The Everly Brothers
“Drift Away” – Dobie Gray, Uncle Kracker
“Georgia on My Mind”, “Two Old Cats” – Ray Charles
“Heart of Gold,” “Harvest Moon” – Neil Young
“Honky Tonk Women” – The Rolling Stones
“I Won’t Give Up on Us”, “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
“Keep Me in Mind” – The Zac Brown Band
“Midnight Rider” – The Allman Brothers
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
“Oh Pretty Woman” – Roy Orbison
“Proud Mary” – Credence Clearwater Revival
“Teach Your Children”, “Southern Cross” – Crosby, Stills and Nash
“The Boxer” – Simon and Garfunkel
“Two of Us”, “Norwegian Wood”, (many more) – The Beatles