Colorado favorites Leftover Salmon have had a big year, and the beloved genre-blending bluegrass act shows no signs of stopping as we enter the fall. Currently, the group is about to kick off a highly anticipated Midwest run, which will span from October 2nd through 7th and see support from Fruition’s Jay Cobb Anderson and Mimi Naja, the Rumpke Mountain Boys, Amy Helm, and Davisson Brothers Band.
The band released their critically acclaimed new album, Something Higher, in March—a follow-up to 2014’s studio album, High Country, and 2016’s standout anniversary live album, 25. Produced by the band’s long-time producer Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Something Higher was recorded at the famous Wavelab Studio in Tucson, Arizona, in analog and shows Leftover Salmon at their finest—drawing upon and infusing a dizzying breadth of influences ranging from zydeco to R&B to jazz, blues, bluegrass, and more.
Already, Leftover Salmon has completed the first successful leg of their Something Higher promotional tour. In the spring, the band rolled embarked on a nationwide tour, and throughout the year, Leftover Salmon has continued to check off major landmark moments. On May 5th, the band played a special home-state show at Morrison, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, co-headlining with iconic Grateful Dead original bassist Phil Lesh and his spin-off project, The Terrapin Family Band. At the show, the group had a number of surprises in store for the sold-out crowd, including a surprise sit-in with Phil and company to kick off the bassist’s set.
Phil Lesh, The Terrapin Family Band, & Leftover Salmon – “Cumberland Blues” – Red Rocks 2018
[Video: Travelin Light]
Following the group’s second annual music festival, Fish Out Of Water Festival in August, Leftover Salmon hit the road again in September, kicking off their extensive fall tour plans after a jam-packed summer. Currently, the group is preparing for a highly anticipated Midwest run during this leg of their Something Higher fall tour, which features a killer cast of fan-favorite artists as support for the duration of the six-night sprint.
On October 2nd, Leftover Salmon will kick off their Midwest run in Pittsburgh at The Rex. For this performance, the band will be joined by Fruition’s Jay Cobb Anderson and Mimi Naja, two powerful up-and-comers in the Americana scene. The pair will open the show with a special tribute to Gillian Welch in honor of her birthday. No strangers to collaboration, Fruition and Leftover Salmon have already established a close relationship. In addition to sharing the bill at various festivals around the country over the years, Leftover Salmon has tapped Fruition as support in the past, including for a New Year’s Eve run a few years ago during which Mimi joined the band for a stirring cover of Adele‘s “Hello”.
Leftover Salmon & Mimi Naja – “Hello” [Adele cover] – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR – 1/1/2016
[Video: Jason Kovich]
Next, the band has a number of dates with the Rumpke Mountain Boys, purveyors of a style of bluegrass they hilariously call “Trashgrass.” Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, the group features Jason Wolf, Ben Gourley, Adam Copeland, and JD Westmoreland, with the quartet focused on creating psychedelic, honest live shows with an emphasis on high-octane improvisation. Leftover Salmon and Rumpke Mountain Boys will first join up on October 3rd during a performance in Kent, Ohio, followed up by shows at Covington, KY’s Madison Theater on October 4th and Indianapolis’ Vogue Theatre on October 5th.
Rumpke Mountain Boys with Vince Herman – “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” – Cabin Fever 2018
[Video: Joshua Ames]
As Leftover Salmon’s Midwest run winds to a close, on October 6th, the band will head to Chicago for a performance at Park West with Amy Helm as part of the newly launched multi-day Chicago music showcase, The Big Weekend. Amy Helm, daughter of late The Band drummer/vocalist Levon Helm, is a powerful songstress whose well-rounded sound reflects inspiration from Americana, country, blues, the gospel, and more. Previously, Helm teamed up with Leftover during a Rex Foundation benefit in San Francisco, adding her soulful vocals to the Grateful Dead‘s “Standing on the Moon” among other famed tracks.
Leftover Salmon with Amy Helm – “Standing On The Moon” [Grateful Dead cover] – Fillmore Auditorium – San Francisco, CA – 12/6/2014
[Video: Nitecat Media]
To close out their Midwest sprint, Leftover Salmon will head to Nashville, Tennessee. For this performance at 3rd & Lindsley, the group will be joined by Davisson Brothers Band, a famed country music ensemble from the hills of West Virginia. Headed by brothers Chris Davisson (lead guitar, slide guitar) and Donnie Davisson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), the band is rounded out by Russell Reppert (bass guitar, background vocals) and long-time friend Aaron Regester (drums). Though the group has found critical and commercial success in the country music world, the band is filled with top-notch pickers and performers, and have a history of collaborating with Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman dating back to their debut over a decade ago.
Davisson Brothers with Vince Herman
[Video: hilsquest]
Once Leftover Salmon wraps up their upcoming Midwest tour, the band will take a few weeks off before gearing up for their highly anticipated Halloween run. Spanning five nights, the pinnacle of the run will be a two-night stand at 10 Mile High Music Hall, a brand-new music venue in Frisco, Colorado. Remaining true to their Colorado roots, Leftover Salmon also has a two-night Thanksgiving run at Denver’s Gothic Theatre in September on the books. Finally, the band plans to ring in 2019 with a four-night New Year’s Eve run that begins with stops in Crystal Bay, Nevada, on December 28th and Chico, California, on December 29th. From there, the group heads to Phil Lesh‘s San Rafael, CA venue, Terrapin Crossroads, to ring in the new year on December 30th and 31st.
For more information and for ticketing for any of these upcoming shows, head to Leftover Salmon’s website here. Plus, keep your eyes peeled, as the band is scheduled to release more tour dates next week!
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