As New Years Eve of 1989 into 1990 got into full swing, a band of musical miscreants and na’er-do-wells took the stage in Crested Butte, and a legend in the Colorado music scene was born.  With roots in high energy bluegrass and zydeco, sprinkled with blues, rock and roll and a touch of wild psychedelic jam, the band emerged from our very own Peak to Peak and greater Boulder County region with a wildly unique and eclectic sound. Reinforced with a hardy spirit of carnival and a heavy dose of that pre-legal “pasta” from the mountains, they brought a funky mountain vibe that came to be known as Poly-Ethnic Cajun Slam-Grass.

Few bands make to 3 decades, and any that do will undergo their own evolution of sorts.  With Leftover Salmon, members have come and gone or passed on to the great gig in the sky, and their sound has changed, grown and matured as the years have passed.  Vince Herman (lead guitar) and Drew Emmit (mandolin and guitar) remain as the core duo from the early years.  They are now joined by Andy Thorn (banjo), Greg Garrison (Bass), Jay Starling (dobro and keyboard) and Alwyn Robinson (drums). 

Having carried their unique torch for so very long and played with a stunning line-up of all-star musicians throughout the journey, they are now considered wizened elders in the music community.  Bridging the gap between traditional music and a more modern, progressive sound in their own wild, spontaneous and often wacky style, they are not just innovators, but also now influencers to many younger bands coming into the scene and carrying on the tradition.

Monday evening’s party was a grand celebration of music, family and, as Vince Herman’s iconic line states, FESTIVAAAAAAL!  The show began with the up-and-coming Denver band Clay Street Unit bringing their fun brand of country, folk and bluegrass.  The main portion of the evening was co-billed with The Kitchen Dwellers, a Montana quartet gaining in popularity for the last few years steeped in bluegrass, folk, rock and psychedelia.  Along with the bands, the evening was also heavily sprinkled with special guests and friends, as any anniversary should be.

After Clay Street Unit wrapped up, the Kitchen Dwellers took the stage for a set.  Joining them for a few songs was Nederland local Silas Herman (Vince Herman’s son).  Silas had sat in as the band’s mandolin player for a bit of their 2024 tour schedule, as their own mandolin player had taken a leave of absence, thus making a very fitting and gifted guest.

Leftover Salmon then took the stage for their own first set.  As billed, the band was joined for the entire evening by fiddle player Jason Carter (formerly of the Del McCoury Band and Traveling McCoury’s).  A few songs into the set they invited friends from California, Laurie Lewis (fiddle and vocals) and AJ Lee (mandolin and vocals), to the stage. Two songs later, the line-up was also joined by singer-songwriter Nikki Bluhm for a number before the guests dwindled and the band closed the set with a few songs on their own.

The Kitchen Dwellers then returned to the stage for their second set.  This time they brought Jason Carter with them to lay down a high energy mix of original tunes and a couple covers.  As the set progressed, Silas Herman once again joined the band and the whole crew brought the house down.

After another brief break, The Salmon boys returned to the stage and to start off, brought with them the Mile High Horns and Bill Payne (keyboardist of Little Feat).  Bill produced one of the bands albums, was a member of the band for about a year and a half, and has since rejoined them from time to time on tours, His presence made for a very welcome return to the fold as he sat in for much of the remainder of the evening.  It also wasn’t long before Laurie, AJ and Nikki rejoined the band for a few more.  Towards the end of the set Vince then invited reggae artist and longtime friend, Mishka to the stage for a few before wrapping up with one more of their own.

Any night such as this must be topped off with an uber-encore, and this evening was no exception.  Vince brought out Laurie and AJ to perform a stunningly beautiful a capela number to start things off.  Then, in true pickin’-circle form, the band returned to the stage for a good old 3 song cluster-pluck joined by the Dwellers and all of the special guests.  A spectacular finish to an evening of music and friends, and after 6 hours and as many sets, everyone left with a full and happy heart.

While we may not see another 35 years of Salmon, get out there and catch them when and where you can.  The band has a full summer on the road ahead of them and will return to Colorado on August 7^th as part of the Rowdy Summer Night’s tour with The Infamous Stringdusters and The Kitchen Dwellers in Grand Junction on August 7^th.  Rise up, enjoy a few more years in your ears, and take a musical ride to the best one-band festival on the road!

as published in the Mountain Ear

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