Drew Emmitt, the dynamic lead singer and mandolin player with the popular jamband Leftover Salmon, is a musical renaissance man. If it has strings, Emmitt can probably play it. He performs and records on mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and acoustic and electric guitars; as well as harmonica and flute. Emmitt’s signature, however, is his energetic, original approach to mandolin, a style that reflects his pantheon of musical heroes: Lowell George, Steve Morse, Duane Allman, John Cowan, Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. Picking up where New Grass Revival left off, Emmitt takes the contemporary approach to bluegrass tradition one step further, making the music feel effortless even as he adds new dimensions.
Following a decade of success with Leftover Salmon, Emmitt released his first solo effort, Freedom Ride, drawing on the talent of such peers as John Cowan, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Vassar Clements, Stuart Duncan, and Randy Scruggs. Critics and fans loved the collaboration, and Emmitt relished the chance to record with some of the giants with whom he’d shared festival stages. “It’s amazing,” he said “it’s like walking in a dream. For years I had this dream of standing on stage next to them and having a good time. And it’s happened. Standing on stage next to Sam (Bush) is pretty indescribable.
