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Everyone Orchestra 'Conducts' Second Annual Benefit Concerts in Portland

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Fri, 02/25/2005 - 1:10pm
- for the Grateful Web
everyone joining in..- for the Grateful Web

Portland, OR - The Everyone Orchestra offers a new paradigm for live music by combining various musicians from popular touring bands for two nights of improvisational music when the group performs the 2nd Annual Pangaea Project Benefit at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland Thursday and Friday April 14, 15 and at WOW Hall in Eugene Saturday, April 16.

The roster of performers includes Jon Fishman of Phish, Billy Nershi and Michael Travis of String Cheese Incident, Kai Eckhardt of Garaj Mahal, Everyone Orchestra founder Matt Butler, and a number of other musicians.

The Everyone Orchestra catalyzes revolving casts of musicians who combine energy and talent to raise funds and awareness for local non-profits through performance of songs and improvisational music. Each Everyone Orchestra performance culminates in unique and unpredictable segments featuring a conductor directing both musicians and audience alike in interactive, lively, and highly danceable jams. 

The 2004 inaugural events raised raised funds and awareness for The Pangaea Project which engages teenagers from underserved neighborhoods in local and international service-learning projects by promoting the development of leadership skills, increasing global awareness, and fostering a commitment to work towards social change.  Proceeds from Everyone Orchestra show ticket sales, fundraising raffles, and other generous donations will be contributed to The Pangaea Project.

Last year's Pangaea Project benefit at the Aladdin Theatre was enlivened by guest speakers: at-the-time presidential candidate/Congressman Dennis Kucinich, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, and Pangaea Project founders Deb Delman and Stephanie Tolk. Ms. Butterfly Hill reflects on the Everyone Orchestra, "I was blown away by the talent, humor, love, and brilliantly orchestrated improvisation coming together in what truly can be described as magic."

The magic continues April 14 and 15 in Portland and April 16 in Eugene with music interpreted by an all-star talent lineup within the Everyone Orchestra.  Butler explains "We simply pass the 'musical talking stick' around the collective group of players and take turns leading the stage, much like sharing music around a campfire.  Then we culminate in moments when everyone is on stage at once, playing conducted improvisations together."   The concerts are designed to create space for each performer's musical personality to shine and facilitate a massive celebratory coming together with the conducted segments.

In true collaborative fashion, the percussive members of the Everyone Orchestra, Jon Fishman, Michael Travis, Matt Butler and Jamie Janover, will be holding a community drum and percussion session at the Crystal Ballroom the afternoon of Friday, April 15. Simultaneously, a singer/songwriter workshop featuring Billy Nershi, Scott Law and Libby Kirkpatrick will also take place at the Crystal Ballroom.  For an additional $15 contribution to the Pangaea Project, percussionists, drummers, singers, songwriters and all music fans are invited to join these professional musicians in a unity-focused connection to rhythm and songs at 4 PM at the Crystal Ballroom.

A limited number of VIP Tickets are available for the Portland Everyone Orchestra shows.  VIP Tickets include preferred seating, signed event poster and an after-show meet and greet with the musicians.

www.everyoneorchestra.com http://www.everyoneorchestra.com/  &
www.pangaeaproject.com http://www.pangaeaproject.com/ 

Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15: Crystal Ballroom -
www.mcmenamins.com/crystal  
1332 W. Burnside - 503- 225-0047 |
Tickets for a single show general admission: $20 advance, $25 door
Two day general admission pass: $35
Single show VIP: $40
(VIP entitles the ticket holder to a signed poster and admittance to
that evenings' post-show meet and greet with the performers; which is to
take place in the balcony of the main ballroom)
Two day VIP: $70
(Two day VIP entitles the holder to all of the VIP benefits plus
admittance to the workshop on Friday afternoon)
Friday Rhythm Workshop: $15

Tickets on sale at all TicketMaster locations and
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/123402/
Doors open at 8 PM Shows start at 9 PM.

Complete List of Players for the Second Annual Pangaea Project Benefit
Featuring The Everyone Orchestra
Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom - April 14, 15

Matt Butler - Drums
Jon Fishman - Drums
Kai Eckhardt - Bass
Billy Nershi - Guitar, Lap Steel
Michael Travis    - Drums
Tye North - Conductor, Bass
Jamie Janover    - Hammered dulcimer/percussion/conductor
Aaron Holstein - Guitar/bass
Scott Law - Guitar, Mandolin
Steve Vidaic - Keyboards/samples
Libby Kirkpatrick - Vocals
Enion Pelta - Violin
David Tiller-Mandolin

Saturday, April 16: WOW Hall - www.wowhall.org
291 W 8th Ave - 541-687-2746 | Doors open at 8 PM show starts at 8:30
PM.
$15 in advance $18 door
Tickets available at the WOW Hall Box Office: 541-687-2746, TicketsWest
outlets (www.ticketswest.com): 800-992-8499; and Jambase Ticketing:
www.jambasetickets.com

Complete List of Players for the Second Annual Pangaea Project Benefit
Eugene, OR -WOW Hall - Saturday, April 16

Matt Butler - Drums
Jon Fishman - Drums
Kai Eckhardt - Bass
Tye North - Conductor, Bass
Scott Law - Guitar, Mandolin
Asher Fulero - Keyboards/samples
Libby Kirkpatrick-Vocals
Jarrod Kaplan -Percussion
Tim McGloughlin - Trumpet

**************************************************************************

Cumberland Blues - The Musical - Reading in Akron, OH

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Sat, 01/29/2005 - 11:21am

There will be a free staged reading and full sing through of CUMBERLAND BLUES , which incorporates 20 songs by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, Monday, February 7 at the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, Ohio. A limited number of invitations are available.

Dark Star Orchestra Kicks Off Winter Tour 2005

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Submitted by press(10)
Member
Wed, 01/26/2005 - 7:31pm
DSO @ Cervantes - 12/30/04- for the Grateful Web

Now that the calendar has changed to 2005 and DSO has gotten a little bit of rest, the time has come to 'keep on truckin'! Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast: get ready for some DSO.

The band takes the U.S. by storm in January and February offering performances in every one of the time zones. A handful of multiple night stands take place in Austin at La Zona Rosa for two nights, three nights in San Francisco at the Great American Music Hall, and another two night stand at Portland's Crystal Ballroom.

The Winter Tour, kicking off in St. Louis (home to DSO drummers Rob and Dino), winds through ten states and brings the band to such hallowed rooms at the Great Amercian Music Hall, where a band called the Grateful Dead offered a quality performance in August of 1975

On Thursday, February 17, a non-DSO show day in the Bay Area, the members of Dark Star Orchestra will be joining David Gans for The Invitational at the  Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley, CA. It is an intimate venue and sure to be an interesting time with other special guests including Henry Kaiser and Eric Thompson. This show begins at 8:30 PM.

DSO has also announced numerous dates for theS pring Tour which begins in Colorado at the end of March then brings them back to the East Coast including an early festival season performance at the Wanee Festival in Florida with the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule and many other acts.

More Spring Tour dates will be added in the forthcoming weeks. Check out the website for the complete, up to date information.

All Winter Tour shows are on sale now through:
www.darkstarorchestra.net

Photo: Robbie Williams

As you may be aware, DSO is drawing national attention with their true-to-life performances. Rolling Stone praises "Dark Star Orchestra's fanatical attention to detail. "USA Today says DSO is "channeling the Dead" and the Washington Post declares them "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going Dallas Morning Newsaffirms DSO is "the next best thing to being there", the Denver Post describes Dark Star Orchestra as "a perfection-oriented practitioner of homage" and the Associated Pressnotes that DSO "takes its act to a level of detail that befits a rock band famous for its fanatical following."

Check out Glide Magazine's show review of the December 12 show at the New Higher Ground in Burlington, VT.  Here's a snippet:

"Seeing these guys made me shake my head quite a few times and rub my eyes to be sure that I really wasn't seeing the Dead back in the day. I was immediately pulled in from the first notes and really enjoyed the night thoroughly always feeling at home with what they were playing. To call these guys a cover band would be just plain wrong, they are more like mystical channelers plugged into the source and not letting go!"

DSO WINTER TOUR
Jan 26
The Pageant
St. Louis, MO

Jan 27
The Vogue
Indianapolis, IN

Jan 28
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH

Jan 29
Bogart's
Cincinnati, OH

Jan 31
Mercy Lounge
Nashville, TN

Feb 2 
Meridian
Houston, TX

Feb 3
Lakewood Theater
Dallas, TX

Feb 4, 5
La Zona Rosa
Austin, TX

Feb 7
<>

Feb 8
Paramount
Santa Fe, NM
w/David Gans &; Daniella

Feb 10
Orpheum Theater
Flagstaff, AZ
w/David Gans opening

Feb 11
Marquee Theater
Tempe, AZ

Feb 12
Belly Up
Solana Beach, CA

Feb 13
El Rey Theatre
Los Angeles, CA

Feb 15
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA

Feb 18, 19, 20 
Great American Music Hall
San Francisco, CA

Feb 22
Van Duzer Theatre
Arcata, CA

Feb 24, 25
Crystal Ballroom
Portland, OR

Feb 26
McDonald Theater
Eugene, OR

Feb 27
The Showbox
Seattle, WA
DSO to rest &; resume touring in March

SPRING TOUR:
[MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED]
Mar 24
8150 Club
Vail, CO

Mar 25, 26 
Fox Theatre
Boulder, CO

Mar 27
Cervantes
Denver, CO

Mar 31
Cabooze
Minneapolis, MN

Apr 1
Barrymore Theatre
Madison, WI

Apr 2
The Rave
Milwaukee, WI

Apr 8, 9
The Orange Peel
Asheville, NC

Apr 10
Lincoln Theatre
Raleigh, NC

Apr 13
Georgia Theatre
Athens, GA

Apr 15, 16
Wanee Festival
Suwanee Springs, FL

Apr 20
NorVa Theater
Norfolk, VA

Apr 21
Starr Hill Music Hall
Charlottesville, VA

Apr 22, 23
State Theatre
Falls Church, VA

Apr 26
The Crowbar
State College, PA

DSO's 1000th Performance

Available now on 3 CDs

Check out some of the deals on hotels for this upcoming tour.

DSO's Hotelmaster has arranged some great discounts on hotels near the venues the band is playing at.

DSO ON DVD!

Live at the Fillmore, videotaped at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco May 8, 2004. The DVD includes appearances by special guest,Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, on vocals.

Produced by Bob Matthews, the DVD packaging features artwork by Stanley Mouse.

Live at the Fillmorecontains over two hours of live video footage of two entire sets of DSO recreating the historic May 5, 1977 show from Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT.

This first DVD release from DSO includes two bonus audio CDs of the same show in addition to the DVD disc.

Dark Star Orchestra DVD:
Live at the Fillmore

Available Feb. 4 from
DSOLIVE.COM

DVD Recorded Live May 8, 2004
of DSO recreating May 5, 1977

In Related News:

The Mix - New CD
"American Spring"

Check out some sound samples online and hear what The Mix is all about.

AMERICAN SPRING, the first CD from THE MIX has just been released available onlineat Rainman Records) and features DSO's John Kadlecik on guitar and Kevin Rosen on bass along with Garcia bandmate Melvin Seals on keyboards and veteran drummer Greg Anton.

The CD features ten tracks including songs penned by all band members as well as two songs co-written by Grateful Dead songsmith Robert Hunter.

Grateful Web Interview with Steve Kimock

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Submitted by gratefulweb(60)
Contributor
Sun, 01/23/2005 - 11:02am

Before the 4.20.2001 show at Sanchos Broken Arrow (Denver, Colorado), The Grateful Web had a chance to sit down with Steve Kimock and his take on current events and some of his world views. If you have Real Player installed, you can listen to the full interview:

Grateful Dead Hour to Celebrate Twenty Years

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Mon, 01/03/2005 - 10:18am

Grateful Dead Hour to Celebrate Twenty Years On Air With KPFA Radio Marathon Feb. 19 - Sixteen Hour Radio Program Hosted by David Gans to Feature Grateful Dead and Dead-Related Music; Will Host Live Music by Dark Star Orchestra.

The Grateful Dead Hour radio program will celebrate its twentieth anniversary of weekly, nationwide broadcasting on Saturday, February 19, 2005 with a radio marathon from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. PST consisting of sixteen hours of Grateful Dead and Dead-related music.

Dark Star Orchestra @ Cervantes | Denver, Colorado

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Submitted by gratefulweb(60)
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Fri, 12/31/2004 - 7:40am

Dark Star Orchestra at Cervantes in Denver.  2nd night of three.   

Passenger
Brown Eyed Women
Race is On
Dire Wolf
BIODTL
Row Jimmy
Minglewood
Mission in the Rain
Masterpiece
U.S. Blues

Dancin
Terrapin
Other One
Dark Star
D/S
Dark Star
Other One
Standing on the Moon
Good Lovin

E: China>Rider

Leftover Salmon Discography

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Submitted by press(10)
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Wed, 12/29/2004 - 8:03pm

'LEFTOVER SALMON'  -  2004
(release date March 23rd)

The self-titled Leftover Salmon is the band's first studio album where co-founders Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman show off how the beloved Colorado band has evolved since the arrival of banjoist Noam Pikelny, keyboardist Bill McKay, bassist Greg Garrison and drummer Jose Martinez. Recorded at Colorado Sound in Westminster, Colorado in April 2003 and produced by longtime Little Feat keyboardist, Bill Payne.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Down in the Hollow
2) Mountain Top
3) Delta Queen
4) Lincoln at Nevada
5) Woody Guthrie
6) Fayetteville Line
7) Everything is Round
8) Whispering Waters
9) Last Days of Autumn
10) Just Keep Walkin'
11) Weary Traveler


'O CRACKER, WHERE ART THOU?'  -  2003

Leftover Salmon and alt-rock band Cracker join forces to create 'O CRACKER, WHERE ART THOU?'. Cracker's front man David Lowery and lead guitarist Johnny Hickman join Leftover Salmon in the studio to unveil bluegrass versions of some of Cracker's greatest hits. With Lowey's vocals you'll unmistakably recognize these songs of Cracker while enjoying the sound of Leftover Salmon at the same time.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Get Off This
2) Eurotrash Girl
3) Sweet Potato
4) Ms Santa Cruz County
5) Mr Wrong
6) Lonesome Johnny Blues
7) Low
8) Teen Angst
9) How Can I Live Without You
10) Still Waiting For You Girl


'LIVE'  -  2002

Pronounced "Liv," most of this album was recorded in Lesterville, Missouri at Salmonfest in June of 2001, along with a few tracks from the Fillmore in San Francisco and Denver. The album captures the spirit of a festival and features lots of wild banjo by the late Mark Vann. While it is somewhat bittersweet to hear our lost brother play, it brings some comfort to know that his music lives on and can inspire people to "Live" big while we're here on Planet Earth.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Let's Give A Party
2) Steam Powered Aereoplane
3) Bill's Boogie
4) Dark Green Thing
5) Out in The Woods
6) Unplug The Telephone
7) Get Me Outta This City
8) Railroad Highway
9) Danger Man


'NASHVILLE SESSIONS'  -  1999

One of the most brilliant compilations of bluegrass, country and rock musicians tied into some of the most beautiful song selections ever. Nashville Sessions excellent production by Randy Scruggs, and the guesting contributions by his father Earl Scruggs and some of Nashville's finest session players, including Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Sally Van Meter, John Cowan, and Widespread Panic's John Bell along with Leftover Salmon.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Midnight Blues
2) Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes
3) Dance on Your Head
4) Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
5) Five Alive
6) Breakin' Thru
7) Lines Around You Eyes
8) It's Your World
9) On the Other Side
10) Troubled Times
11) Another Way to Turn
12) Up on the Hill Where We Do the Boogie
13) Nobody's Fault But Mine


'EUPHORIA'  -  1997

This was first release on Hollywood Records and the second studio effort from Leftover Salmon. 'Euphoria' was recorded when the bands line up consisted of Vince Herman, Mark Vann, Drew Emmitt, Tye North, and Michael Wooten. Most of these songs are still played in concert today and many of them ore now considered all time classics.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Better
2) Highway Song
3) Baby Hold On
4) River's Rising
5) Mama Boulet
6) Funky Mountain Fogdown
7) Cash On The Barrelhead
8) Muddy Water Home
9) Ain't Gonna Work
10) This Is The Time
11) Euphoria


'ASK THE FISH'  -  1995

'Ask the Fish' was recorded live at the Fox Theater in Boulder, Colorado on October 28th and 29th, 1994. With no overdubs or artificial ingredients added, This was the bands second release in their effort to define "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass."
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Carnival Time
2) Bend In The River
3) Ask The Fish
4) Lonesome Road
5) Two Step
6) Rueben's Train
7) When The Levee Breaks
8) Jokester
9) Stay Away Monday
10) Cactus Flower
11) Hot Corn/Cold Corn
12) Come On Home
13) Rocky Road Blues
14) 70's Lick
15) Headbag


'BRIDGES TO BERT'  -  1993

Bridges to Bert is Leftover Salmon's first studio CD and the introduction of "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass" Music. This recording blends Cajun, Zydeco, Bluegrass, rock, Jam and more. In the earliest configuration of Leftover Salmon this recording Features Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt, Mark Vann, Joe Jogerst, Rob Galloway, and Michael Wooten. Produced by Charles Sawtelle.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) BooBoo
2) Going Through The Motions
3) Head Bag
4) Whiskey Before Breakfast
5) Bridges Of Time
6) Nothing But Time
7) Tu N'as Pas Aller
8) Pasta On The Mountain
9) Just Before The Evening
10) Dark Eyes
11) Zombie Jamboree
12) Bosco Stumble
13) Rodeo Geek


- - - O T H E R   R E L E A S E S - - -


'FREEDOM RIDE'  -  2002

'Freedom Ride' is Drew Emmitt's solo debut. Recorded in Nashville in January 2002 and released on Compass Records, 'Freedom Ride' features Sam Bush, Vassar Clements, Stuart Duncan, Vince Herman, Peter Rowan, Ronnie McCoury, and many more!
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Freedom Ride
2) Bend In The River
3) Solid Ground
4) Valley Of The Full Moon
5) Paving Eisenhower
6) If You're Ever In Oklahoma
7) Tangled Up In Blue
8) Lonesome Road
9) Rainmaker
10) One Step At A Time
11) Memories Of Mother And Dad


'GET ME OUT OF THIS CITY'  -  1991

Before there was Leftover Salmon, there was Left Hand String Band, where Mark Vann and Drew Emmitt began a musical adventure together. This CD is rare and beyond expectations of what it was like in the beginning. It's true to the heart and soul of bluegrass.
  TRACK LIST
   
1) Get Me Outta This City
2) Back Door Romance
3) Just Before The Evening
4) Stop All Your Worrying
5) Dreams
6) Gypsy
7) Time Stands Still
8) Keep Your Mind Open (And Your Mouth Shut)
9) Falling Rock
10) Gold Hill Line
11) Homefires

Leftover Salmon | Fox Theater | Boulder, CO

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Wed, 12/29/2004 - 4:33am
Leftover Salmon @ their homebase - The Fox in Boulder- for the Grateful Web
Diandra - Happy Birthday! outside the Fox- for the Grateful Web
I got in a little trouble for using the flash.. :)- for the Grateful Web
Drew JAMMING- for the Grateful Web
''When I paint my masterpiece''- for the Grateful Web
Vince Boulder''s next great politician- for the Grateful Web
four nights of salmon in Boulder- for the Grateful Web
Vince Herman- for the Grateful Web
New Years Run @ The Fox- for the Grateful Web
Leftover Salmon''s living room- for the Grateful Web

Leftover Salmon, since 1989, started their four night run at the Fox in Boulder. Word is from Vince Herman this may be the end of road.  He recently told the Daily Camera he is interested in pursuing politics, but is not ruling out a Salmon reunion. 

From The Daily Camera:

'Yet Herman, who's mulling a post-Salmon career in Boulder County politics, suggests the group's announcement on its Web site last summer — which stressed that "the band is not breaking up, just taking a break" — may have been a little misleading.'

'"Well, you know, in the true Salmon way, when we put that up on our Web site, that was what it looked like we were gonna do — and we just haven't changed it," Herman, the group's frontman, says with a laugh. "But, yeah, I think we're pretty much done."'

'While Herman has done a little solo touring this fall, his immediate plans are non-musical: he and his wife are purchasing, and plan to operate, Nederland's Once Again Books. Still torn up by President Bush's re-election, Herman's also contemplating a career in politics.'

'"Well, I'll probably hold off on the presidency, but as fast as things are changing around here, I may consider running for office," Herman says. "I have some aspirations, but I'd hate to put anything into print that would make me look stupid by not pursuing."'

'And, of course, each is leaving the door open — at least nominally — to a Salmon reunion.'

'"We're stopping on a high note, and that definitely feels great," Emmitt says. "It's not like we've run ourselves into the ground, but 15 years is a long time to be out on the road. We're closing a chapter on our lives. I'm excited about it in a lot of ways.'

'"But remember, it's an open-ended decision."'

For over 15 years, Leftover Salmon has graced us with their polyethnic cajun slamgrass. These last  shows promise lots of special guests and former band members.  Some of the current members, include:

From LeftoverSalmon.com:

Finally, after nearly two years on the road, the new Leftover Salmon lineup is on record.  The self-titled 'Leftover Salmon' is the band's first studio album where co-founders Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman show off how the beloved Colorado band has evolved since the arrival of banjoist Noam Pikelny, keyboardist Bill McKay, bassist Greg Garrison and drummer Jose Martinez.

"It's really brand new Leftovers," says Herman.  "This is the first record since losing our brother Mark Vann, and it's the first studio recording with our new guys.  We've got three guys with music degrees in the band now!  So we've really been looking forward to doing an album together.  It's really a big step in the evolution of the band."

The album, produced by longtime Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne, also illustrates how Leftover Salmon have progressed.  "I've been saying that this is our first record for grown-ups," Herman laughs.  "It definitely reflects how the band's sound has matured.  There's less schtick.  We still have a lot of fun, and there's still a lot of joy in our music.  But there's also a serious aspect to what we're doing now, especially in the musical ability of the members and what we try to put across in the arrangements."

Indeed, the band has undergone immense changes since 1999's groundbreaking The Nashville Sessions.  The death of banjoist and beloved co-founder Mark Vann and the addition of four new band members inherently brought on a new sound, especially for an improvisational band that derives so much of its creativity from the personalities of its musicians.

"It's definitely a new era," says Noam Pikelny, the newest and youngest member of the band.  "This band has been an institution. I think anyone who has seen the band in the past will still recognize that a lot of the same elements are still there.  But I also think they'll hear the difference."

As Herman puts it, "The band probably isn't as crazy and off-the-wall as it used to be.  We still have a great time onstage, and the sheer joy of making music is still a big part of what we're about.  But we're more focused on being musicians and on the arrangements now.  We're still as fun and as eclectic as ever, but we're also more mature and more capable, too."

For this album, the band broke its pattern of inviting scores of musical guests to participate.  This time, Leftover Salmon decided to focus on their own special ensemble play.  The only instrumental guest is the producer, who adds a spicy piano track to "Whispering Waters". "How could you have Bill Payne in the studio and pass up the chance to get him to play on your record," Herman points out. Singer K.C. Groves adds harmony on "Woody Guthrie", but otherwise the band goes it alone.

"We purposely kept the guests down to a minimum," Herman says.  "We've always enjoyed the chance to play with other musicians that we admire.  But we're also real proud of this band and how it sounds, so we decided to keep the focus on the group this time."

The new album provides proof of how the band remains eclectic and adventurous as well as how it has evolved musically.  Five of the six band members contribute songs, from Pikelny's newgrass instrumental "Lincoln & Nevada" to Bill McKay's blues-rock vamp "Just Keep Walkin'", and from Drew Emmitt's New Orleans-inspired, jaunty rocker "Delta Queen" to Emmitt's folk-based "Weary Traveler".

"We're definitely still chameleon-like in that regard," Herman explains.  "All of us grew up loving different kinds of music, and we all love that we're in a band that allows us the chance to play different kinds of music.  We're basically a rock 'n' roll bluegrass band, but that means we can play everything from folk and bluegrass songs to anything that falls under the big banner of rock."

In talking about growth, Herman mentions the new song "Woody Guthrie," an unusual foray into political and social commentary by the band.  "It's such a departure from what we've done," says Herman, who wrote the song. "I had second thoughts about putting it on the album, but the guys talked me into it.  We've been doing it live, at least during our more acoustic shows, and it goes across real well."

Herman's reference to "acoustic shows" indicates another aspect of the band's breadth. In 2003, the band took part in a critically acclaimed tour with bluegrass giants the Del McCoury Band and released an album with the rock band Cracker.  Similarly, the band plays both folk and rock festivals, and they've performed in elegant theaters and in grungy rock clubs.  Leftover Salmon is the rare band with a broad enough sound and a large enough repertoire to shape its set list to fit the crowd and the venue.

"We're a little strange that way, but we know that there are live settings where some songs work better than others for us," Herman says.  "When we're playing a theater, we can bring our more folk-based side.  But when we're in a rock club, and the crowd is grooving along having a good time, you don't want to break the mood and sing a song about agriculture policy."

Still, the earthy quality and back-to-nature character of the band's music continues to shine through.  That aspect of the group is evident in the song titles, including "Mountain Top," "Down in the Hollow," "Whispering Waters" and "Last Days of Autumn."  "We didn't realize we had this outdoors theme running through the album until we were finished," Herman says.  "It wasn't intentional, but it's one of the threads running through the album.  It fits our personality – after all, Salmon are out there in the wild world."

As the first album since signing with Compendia Records, Leftover Salmon are eager for fans and for new listeners to hear how the band has evolved.  "We're still just as delirious as ever at having the opportunity to make music for a living," Herman says.  "But we've grown up a bit, and we've learned a lot about the music business and what works for us.  We still believe that live music is as essential as ever, that it can change lives and save the world.  We're certainly having as much as we've ever had."

Check out Leftover Salmon's Discography.

Happy Birthday, Bobby!

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Submitted by gratefulweb(60)
Contributor
Sat, 10/16/2004 - 12:05pm

Happy Birthday, Bobby!

Ratdog Cancels Fall Tour - Get Healthy, Bobby

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Submitted by gratefulweb(60)
Contributor
Thu, 10/07/2004 - 10:51pm

RatDog must regretfully announce the postponement of the Bob Weir and RatDog tour scheduled to begin tomorrow, October 7th, in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Since January, Bob Weir has worked continuously on music dates for RatDog and The Dead, promotional work for his career retrospective album, and a number of nonprofit appearances.