Here Are Just Some of Our Favorite Newbie Stories
From Internet:

For even more of these (plus lots of kind words from multi-show fans) check out
the links to comments from 1995 and 1996 which you will find later on down
the first page!
The following was posted to HORDEnet <horde@world.std.com>, March 10, 1994 with 
the subject, "my.book.about:.....A.R.U..with.L.S....3/8.and.3/9..."

"3/8

before i went into Club Babyhead, i spotted a big yellow schoolbus with 
Leftover Salmon and Jambay stickers.  i went up to the door and met michael, 
the drummer for LS, and Mark, the banjo player.  both were very nice, they 
invited me onto the bus and we talked for a few minutes.  (at this point i had 
not even ever heard them play).  they told me their instruments (which i love) 
and so we started talking about cajun and bluegrass.  they described their 
sound as "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass."

next,inside, i talked to Leftover Salmon's soundman, Doug.  he was very 
personable, and helpful getting me set up to tape the show on the soundboard's 
(club's) deck.

okay, so finally Leftover Salmon took the stage.  they were wonderful.  finally, 
a band that meshed my favorite instruments and styles into an improvisional 
context!!!  now, some people didn't care for them, primarily because they didn't 
care for the musical style, which is closest to bluegrass, IMO, but also sounds 
of reggae, cajun, zydeco, blues, jazz, country, and psychedelic rock.  if you think 
that much folk/ethnic influence is for you, i heartily advise you to check out 
this band.  and if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then i still advise you 
to check them out to see if you don't like the sound.  for me, they were 
practically a band out of my dreams and hallucinations.  almost like, if i could 
throw together all the intruments and sounds that i love most into one band, it 
would come out to be LS.  it would be impossible for me to name a "favorite 
band," but i must say that LS ranks up there pretty high (pun intended).

here's what LeftoverSalmon consists of:

Vince:  vocals, acoustic guitar, washboard, flute
Mark:  vocs, elctric&acoustic banjos
Rob:   bass
Drew:   vocs, electric guitar, electric mandolin, electric fiddle
Joe:   acordian and keys
Michael:   drums

here is most of the setlist for LS in providence, 3/8:

Ruebens
Bosco Stumble
Zombie Jamboree
Head Bag
Corn
Fog
Highway
Tuna (aka Tu n'as pas aller[?])
Booboo

another tidbit:  i found out that Leftover Salmon includes members of two 
colorado bands, something like "The Left-Handed Bluegrass Band" and "The 
Salmonheads."  so that's where their name comes from.  maybe there should 
be an Aqua-Tour with Aquarium Rescue Unit, Phish, Leftover Salmon, and 
Water(also from colorado)   8-).

i missed a couple of (ARU) songs when i went backstage with Leftover 
Salmon.  we could still hear the show, plus my tape was going, so i didn't at all 
mind missing part of the ARU set in order to talk to the LS guys.  they 
continued to be very kind (punny, again).

both LS and ARU were very supportive of tapers, and lots of folks got 
soundboard feeds (at least 4 in providence, and 7 in boston)(plus several 
audience tapers) 

3/9/94

fortunately for me, a fellow netter offered me a place to stay in boston, so i was 
able to make it to the 3/9 show as well (thanks!)

again, i was allowed backstage, which was really nice.  i hung out with the 
Leftover Salmon people for a while, and Oteil even came in for a while.  i got to 
talk to Oteil for about a half an hour, with a circle of people backstage.  he told 
me about West African symbols that he was studying (i think one of them 
appears on the new ARU bumperstickers), he also described the African shirts 
he wears onstage sometime (the one with the birds is worn by shamens, and 
the orange and green one is a traditional pattern).  Oteil expressed dismay that 
LS was opening for ARU intead of the other way around, then we discussed the 
fact that both Phish and WSP have also opened for ARU.  and, we talked about 
my home-state, Arkansas (we were discussing bluegrass, and the ozarks).  the 
cool thing is, an hour later, during ARU's set, they played a song called 
"Arkansas" that they haven't played in a "long time."  it's a song of an old 
Hampton LP called "Arkansas."  i never did find out if they played it because 
we talked about Arkansas or if it was unrelated, but it really got me psyched to 
hear it anyway!!!

the Leftover Salmon set was even better than the night before.  they did a little 
more improvisional stuff, and really sounded good.  the crowd was like "what's 
this?" at first, but after 2 or 3 songs, the place was hoppin' and people were 
obviously getting into it.

between bands, i was backstage again, where i said hello Mike Gordon.  i didn't 
see Trey, but i believe he was there, as was Jon.   Mike was wearing a nametag 
that said "Pracilla"(spell).  apparently, Mike played a song or two with ARU, 
but it was at the beginning of the set when i was still chilling backstage with 
LS and crew.  also, just before ARU went on, i got to see Mark from LS jam on 
Banjo with Col Bruce warming up on his Chazoid, both unplugged and jamming 
hard!!!

as for ARU, they were also in better form in boston, which is probably 
attributable to several things:  better sound in the club, a bigger stage, a better 
backstage, and a somewhat better crowd.  The Col was ON!!!!  also, Apt Q258 
was really jamming, especially during Space is the Place.  Mark guested 
w/ARU on banjo for a song, and Drew also played on a song or two.  of course, 
their instrumentation sounded perfect with ARU.

Tonight, both bands supposedly have offers to play on radio stations in Boston, 
but nothing was finalized as of last night.  i also heard that LS has unfinalized 
offers from a few record labels, including Capricorn 

Friday night, LS and ARU will play in Burlington, VT.  then saturday night, 
ARU will be playing with WSP at castleton, vt  (LS will be there, although they 
are not scheduled to play----maybe we will see some of them guest with ARU, 
or with WSP [maybe drew on the fiddle, or a lovely Takeout-->PorchSong with 
Mark on banjo?!?!?] or MAYBE even members from all three groups will 
manage to hop on stage together.  who knows?  in fact, there is also a 
possibility that members of Phish will be at those Vermont shows.  wow, this 
could be one serious historic jam in the making!!!!!  at any rate, i would LOVE to 
be there, but i doubt i can get a ride up there.  so those of you who are lucky 
enough to make it, please report how it goes, and have a great time!

okay,anyone who read that whole damn post and made it to the bottom of my 
long-winded description deserves praise for their patience.  sorry to type so 
much, but i had to get my thoughts in order and recorded about this most-
fabulous two-day-tour i have been priveledged to witness!

and one last thing:  thank you ARU for introducing me to two awesome bands--
the Dave Matthews Band and Leftover Salmon.  i first heard about both 
bands through netting (pun intended, once again), but i first saw both bands 
perform opening for ARU, who had the good sense to bring this great music up 
to New England.  may they bring them your way, too!"
<Daniel_Gold@brown.edu>

"Saw Leftover Salmon for the first time yesterday..  here in Seattle...  
Hippies boogying with street people boogying with bikers boogying with 
trendies...  Leftover Salmon was the best of the day.  These guys can really 
play and I came away impressed...  really dug the poly-ethnic cajun salmgrass.  
If these guys come to your town, go see 'em."  <mwaggoner@ctc.ctc.edu>

"I went to my first Leftover Salmon show this past weekend at the 
Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and had a grrrreat time!  ...I was blown away! It 
was one of the most energized shows I've been to recently..  they are definitely a 
lot of fun.  Can't wait to hear them again...seen only one show here in atlanta 
earlier this year and am hooked...  I have really gotten into the bluegrass style 
and influence, and with salmon's eclectic style and great playing, you can't help 
but jam!! ...They are (after hearing them but once) one of my favorite bands 
(phish, leftover salmon, and moe).  wish i knew a song before i heard them, but 
even without knowing a single tune, i had a blast!  check them out..  the tour 
schedule was posted a few days ago to phish.net."  
<genex@ix.netcom.com>

"I just saw my first Leftover Salmon show in NY last night and had my 
head quite thoroughly blown away.  They are great musicians and tons O' 
fun." <Threeefer@aol.com>

"I just have to plug this band since I saw them last week here in Chapel Hill. 
They rule!!!  I took a friend of mine who's a big Dead fan and was 
skeptical(sp?) before we went and afterwards he said he'd never 
question my taste in music again.  If you get a chance you should 
definitely see them; I can't even describe the music--bluegrassy kinda rock, 
kinda cajun--just cool!  If anybody has tapes let me know I'd love to trade 
for BT or Phish."  <pagey@email.unc.edu>

"I heard leftover Salmon for the first time this weekend and was fairly 
blown away. If anybody out there has any polyethnic cajun slamgrass to 
trade for some hq phish or dead or widespread, hendrix, zappa, etc.  let 
me know. i really want to hear more from this band."  
<bjones22@utkux.utcc.utk.edu>

"today's mail brought the news that David Grisman came out and jammed 
with them last night (the quote was "I mean F__KING JAMMMED!!!!!!").  My 
eyewitness reporter tells me that Drew was in heaven during the 
experience and Pete Sears sat in on keys both nights.........  From my 
friend who has never seen them, whose opinion I trust and who loved 
them (duh):

---------- Forwarded message ----------

I'm probably going to have to get onto the salmon mailing list.  I 
mean,marcie, what I heard last night is like Bela Fleck on speed (with a 
GOOD drummer!!).  The show last night was SIIIIIICK.  I couldn't help 
but thinking that these guys were the True Inheritors of the Dead's 
legacy,not phish... even though they are a cajun slamgrass band, or 
whatever the hell they call their brand of music.  The guitarists are 
all fantastic.  Just fantastic.  Especially the banjo player.  He is 
definitely the one of the best.  I'm frightened to think what he could 
do on a guitar.  It was quite An Experience.  I can't recommend them 
enough.  I honestly didn't think I'd see anything like that.  I'm going 
to go again tonight. I don't care if they repeat songs!!!!!!!!  Seeing 
Ken Kesey in the audience walking around was weird.. and it was good to 
see Wavy Gravy up on stage "jamming" with them (he was jamming using a 
Salmon... mockingly).  The legends just happened to show up.."  
<taz@nowhere.net>

"I completely agree...I saw Leftover Salmon for the first time Friday 
night at the Fillmore and it was by far the best show I have ever seen, 
and that beats the dead, Phish, Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler...these 
guys have so much energy and the musicianship is unbelievable...I'm glad 
to see that someone else had the same experience I had, my friends and I 
all felt that Leftover Salmon was amazing...Pete Sears playing with them 
was incredible...I would love to get tapes of this show, I have dead, 
Phish, Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Mother Hips, etc to offer, and if 
that does not suffice I'll send extra blanks (like a whole five 
pack)...I really want these tapes (3-15-96 especially), so please help 
me out...thanks."  <kfclifford@usdavis.edu>

"I saw my first show on 3/15/96 at the Fillmore in SF.  It was awesome.  
Much grander (yes that's a word; I just made it up) than I expected.  My 
wife, who tends to show some disdain for my favorite, Phish, loved LoS.  
She bought the Live CD towards the end of the second set to beat the 
after-show rush."  <GeoffBall@aol.com>

"My brother took me to my first LoS show Feb. 2nd in the middle of an 
ice storm and they played an acoustic set with the generator hooked up 
to the mikes because the power was out.  We didn't get to stay long and 
I liked what I heard, but when I went to a "real" show here in Chapel 
Hill a couple weeks later, I was sold. I was shocked the other day when 
I heard myself say I liked these guys better than Phish or Blues 
Traveler!!!"  <pagey@email.unc.edu>

"my first show was 12/08/95 at the fillmore, & ever since these guys 
have been one of my favs. (if not my fav.) band...   The tape of the 
acousic set (mic'd) on this night still blows my mind.... it sounds so 
very kind."  <MAnsolab@aol.com>

"I was dreading sitting through a tedious opening act, but Salmon 
hit the stage like musical terrorists and proceeded to blow up every 
pretension and musical condescension to which I clung.  I left the show 
that night with my horizons very greatly broadened and my mind wide-
open...  last weekend, I attended two Salmon shows at the Fillmore in 
San Francisco, and the bruises from my jaw repeatedly hitting the floor 
are beginning to heal.  They were absolutely incomparable.  More fun 
than inheriting a fortune from a long-lost relative.  More joyous than 
seeing the sun rise from the top of a mountain that you thought you 
couldn't climb."  <acrossland@epsilon.com>

"i started listening to LoS about a year and a half ago, i bought 
'bridges' strictly by word of mouth...i loved it, and it helped to 
further my bluegrass 'epiphany' that was happening at the moment (with 
the help of people like bela and sam, of course :)  i saw my first show 
here in baltimore at the 8x10 club in october....i was completley blown 
away...i still don't think i have ever had so much fun at a show...the 
goofiness and incredible musicianship happening at the same time on the 
stage is something that i have yet to find in any other bands...i think 
one of the best things about it is that i dragged a bunch of people with 
me who did nothing but groan when they saw banjos and fiddles, but left 
completley digging the show....i guess that is what it is all about, 
right??"  <JPALMA@LOYOLA.EDU>

"I first heard Leftover in a Walkman waiting out a storm at the refugio 
of Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano, in Ecuador of all 
places.  It was an Avagodros Number show with a smokin Blister."  
<pcharrig@students.wisc.edu>

"I caught my first Salmon show here in Boone in the winter of '94 and 
havn't missed them yet when they've come to town. The last two shows at 
Legends were awesome and I can't wait until Merlefest in April...Salmon 
is definately starting to get to be very well known as an incredible 
band!"  <JM984@conrad.appstate.edu>

"We first saw LoS last summer at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and 
were completely blown away. We've seen them twice since then in Chicago, 
7/21/95 at the Cubby Bear and 9/22/95 at Bub City.  I enjoy them more 
each time.  I've turned at least another dozen folks on to LoS by way of 
kind sbd tapes and we've got a whole crew of folks coming into town for 
the 4/5 show at the Cubby Bear. In short, I love their music and their 
Bridge The Bert philosophy.  I think great when such strong pickers 
consiously use their music to bring diverse types of people together 
and/or support good causes (like SOS).  I wholly subscibe to their 
musical vision."  <deadshow@well.com>

"Just saw Leftover Salmon this weekend, and I recommend them to anyone!  
I had the best time since the Boys hung it and Garcia laid to rest.  If 
you've never heard of Leftover, they are a bluegrass/funk/reggae band 
composed of a knockout mandolin (slide mandolin at times), banjo, 
guitar, bass, and drums.  Their originals are great, and they play some 
nice covers (The Band's The Shape I'm In, and the Encore was Kind Bud 
Burnin on the Mountain>Don't Bogart That Joint, Man.)  If they come your 
way, go check them out."  <dbang@indiana.edu>

"I'd like to give a brief review of the Leftover Salmon show on 4/10, 
for those who may have never seen/heard them.  Venue: Municipal Cafe, 
Hartford, CT.  This was the first time I had ever heard their music, 
and I was blown away.  They were pickin 'em clean on the mandolin and the 
banjo, but each guy was also playing incredible rhythms.  I was most 
impressed with the rhythm playing of these guys, including the acoustic 
guitar player. This is probably because I normally associate the banjo 
and mandolin with playing individual notes as fast as possible, which 
they did as well.  The mandolin player also played fiddle and slide 
guitar, and was one of the most talented musicians I've ever seen.  
These guys have a crazy bluegrass style which is also extremely smooth.  
Not to mention the Caribbean-style tunes they threw in every now and 
then.  Humor is also a part of their lyrics/stage presence.  These guys 
are incredible.  Go see them."  <pkraus@panda.uchc.edu>

"I 1st saw los in Athens a couple months ago and i got my ticket for 
next week also.  As everyone knows i was blown off my feet.  I was 
totally not expecting such a spectacular show."  
<GGOEBELE@MUSIC.CC.UGA.EDU>

"Some of my other favorite things about the band include their ability 
to drive the crowd into a frenzy with their ecstatic jamming, the energy 
exchange between audience and band, the bands friendliness, and the 
kindness of others in the audience.  It's also a special pleasure to 
watch newcomers stare with their jaws agape until the music moves 
into their bodies and by the end of the show they're Dancing 
Uncontrollably.  (that was me(: )"  <openint@cruzio.com>

"Been hearing about you guys for about six months - all rave reviews. 
Finally had the chance to see you Sat. at Irving Plaza in NYC and was 
blown away - keep it up!!" <gshanken@sharknet.com>

"this guy [Drew Emmitt] was beyond frenetic; if grisman played at 
that speed for as long as he did, he *would* lose about 50 pounds.  
right there on stage.  I've never seen such energy!  Leftover Salmon was 
fun, definitely worth watching for."  <narad@nudibranch.asd.sgi.com>

"Before the [Wavy Gravy] Bday Bash, I was a Boxset and Ratdog 
fan.  Now, I'm a Leftover Salmon and Kantner/Mangano Fan!!!"  
<brownid@itsa.ucsf.edu>

"Overall I thought the best band of Saturday was Leftover Salmon.  I 
hadn't heard these guys before and they just blew me away."  
<ulysses27@aol.com>

"Caught my first Leftover Salmon gig at Laguna Seca Daze last weekend. 
They're GREAT!"  <gophish@earthlink.net>

"After leaving my stupid day job one day, I went to a little town here 
in texsucks and saw a band there called Leftover Salmon...they too were 
doin their thang on stage...musically it was bluegrass on shrooms, but 
man it was INCREDIBLE...I too could feel Jerry [Garcia]'s 
presence, it was amazing.  They did a whacked out version of Jimi 
[Hendrix]'s "hey joe" but man everyone was dancin' dancin' 
dancin' in the streets...pretty darn nifty time..." <judyh@flash.net>

"I first ran into LoS at MerleFest last year and was completely blown 
away--already they rank right up there with the Dead for me...  I very 
much regretting missing the Bayou for Phish (but, all of my tickets and 
rides, etc. were set up before I knew about the LoS shows)-- just a side 
note that I have been discussing with some of my friends (I don't know 
how many of you like Phish) but lately, I have been noticing that the 
scene at Phish is getting less and less friendly and some of the people 
who come aren't interested in being friendly and dancing and talking.  
It is pretty scary to me-- especially since the Dead is no longer 
around-- but of the two LoS shows I've seen, I've noticed a totally 
different atmosphere-- and though I completely love the music, it is 
totally enhanced by the people, which fills a void for me which the end 
of the Dead left-- I was just wondering if anyone else has been having 
these same vibes."  <evansrl@mnsinc.com>

"I saw Leftover Salmon for the first time Sat night at the Bayou in DC.  
All I can say is WOW! This band is hot!"  <rshall@richmond.infi.net>

"I couldn't agree with this [the Dead-like vibe] more.  I've felt this 
about the LoS scene since day one. I remember looking back at the crowd 
during my first Fillmore show (8/95?) last year and seeing the whole 
crowd bouncing up and down with big grins...I remember looking around 
and thinking that it couldn't be better!!  Even the floor was bouncing 
about and down.  Since then (about 10 shows and 5 festivals on top of 
that) I don't feel like they've lost *any* of their magic.  They still 
bring smiles to all and make us boogie.  I'm glad that they seem to be 
drawing bigger crowds (the boys gotta eat after all)...  even though it 
means you have to get your tix ahead of time and have a little less room 
to dance they're still the best show in town.  I have never seen a crowd 
sooo courteous of those packed in with it.  I really hope this 
continues...  Nothing beats a weekend at the Fillmore with LoS!!! We've 
gotten some great Salmon festival appearances out this way over the 
Summer, but nothing really compares to a two set Salmon fix."  
<marksa@tcsi.com>

".....Little did I know it really would be the last time I would ever 
hear Jerry live. Wish the ride had never ended.  I have since found 
another band I enjoy almost as much as the Dead... Leftover Salmon. They 
play Polyethnic Cajun Slam Dance music. It's a little zydeco, a little 
country, a little bluegrass and a little rock and roll all mixed 
together is some "get your happy feet goin kinda music." The only 
problem is they only make it to the East about twice a year."  
<Dawn@webserve.net>

"How can one not groove to LoS???? My 1st show was the Wavy Gravy B-day 
benefit last year and I was instantly hooked. And that was a really laid 
back show.   If they're playing on the [Further] tour I'll go 
just to see them."  <scott.fernandes@trex.ccc-infonet.edu>

"BTW, I got turned on to LoS about a year and a half ago, and managed to 
catch my first show about a month ago at Pearl Street in Northampon 
Mass.  I have been spreading the word about the best damn band on earth 
constantly since that show, and its very comforting to know that there 
are so many other people who feel that way!"  <tdsmith@colby.edu>

"Hello all LOSers. I am new to the list but not so new to Salmon. I 
caught my first show when they opened for Widespread Panic last May at 
Red Rocks. I must say that I am a huge WSP fan. But I didn't want Salmon 
to leave the stage. I wish they would have played the whole night. Since 
then I have seen EVERY single All ages show in Colorado..."  
<brad@dimensional.com>

"I brought four LoS newbies who'd heard a little bit of some of my tapes 
but not much.  They had a blast and couldn't say enough good things...  
One of kids I dragged to the show is a total punk/ska listening freak 
and he had a great time. The funniest response was 'I never imagined 
myself gettin down to "Honky Tonk Woman."'"  <cwb@msu.oscs.montana.edu>

"I got Salmonized in the summer of '91, on Sunday night of the Telluride  
Bluegrass Festival.  LoS did not play the festival proper, but played a local bar.  
My friends and I were dead tired after four days of outstanding music,  dancing, 
hiking, partying and hanging out with cool people.  Someone had  been dropping 
flyers all over town, and we heard a few good things from people in the crowd, so 
we went to see the purveyors of 'polyethnic cajun slamgrass' music.  (One of 
our party was an ex slam-dancer, and we were pretty hot on xydeco music, as 
well as, the obvious bluegrass.)

We went to the show, which was in the basement of a small place (I'm really 
guessing here, but maybe 250 tops?) and we never sat down from the moment 
LoS hit the stage.  Vince was in outstanding form; he took us all through the 
most incredible, enjoyable, hilarious 20-minute polka thrash of everybody's 
soul favorites.  Sometimes you had to stop dancing because you were laughing 
so hard.  I think they must have played for about 3 hours, but my sense of 
time was stretched at that point anyway.  By the end of the evening, I could 
hardly stand up.  None of us could wipe the s**t-eating grins off our faces.  
We had been Salmonized."  <TRUMBO@Opus1.COM>
The show described above was just after the Leftover Salmon "thing" started to "swim." In fact, the Left-Hand String Band had played the Telluride show earlier that weekend. The "boys" never seem to get enough picking in, so they had started going into the bars in town as Leftover Salmon after the Festival show and playing whatever they felt like. Maybe it was the parental lecture that music is just another form of entertainment like a comedian's performance or the evening news on TV and a big part of being an entertainer is providing pleasure to the audience, or maybe they were just having a good time watching other folks have a good time. Whatever it was, they had begun to notice that the crowds liked what they were doing in town - antics and all - better than the "straight stuff" they were doing at the Festival. The Salmon were becoming Salmonized themselves...

How many notes in a Leftover Salmon Show? Lots! A newbie's reaction...

"from a show last month at the Fox...  I bumped into a friend outside who had 
never seen them before.  I asked him what he thought, and with a look of pure 
amazement, all he said was 'That's a whole lotta notes.  Do they get paid by 
the note?  They gotta get paid by the note...  no other reason to PLAY that 
many notes.  WOW....  that was a LOT of notes.'" <jeff.stampes@xilinx.com>

"Last Saturday's show in Tampa marked the first time LoS played in the state
of Florida, and I assure you they will be welcomed back....  The crowd at first 
was pretty tame, most unfamiliar with LoS (at one point, Vince asked "How 
many of you are experiencing Leftover Salmon for the first time?" and 90% of 
the crowd screams), and the boys' energy kind of reflected that.  However, as is 
usually the case, by about an hour into things, everyone was having a great 
time, dancing like crazy.  The boys kick out an incredible "Rueben's Train" (my 
friend comments: "Where the hell did that come from?") and it just heads uphill 
from there.  Members of New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars and a Zydeco band 
from Texas (?)  join them for some jam...  A great time!  It was so great to 
see so many people (so many *diverse* people I might add) getting into 
LoS for the first time.  It was an incredible experience.  (Oh, my roommate 
caught them for the first time that night as well- she swore she wouldn't 
like it, but said she'd give it a try, and ended up having an awesome time!)"
<milase00@wfu.edu>

"   The Night I Became a LoS Fan For Life (June, 1996)

Spring quarter had just gotten out and several of us Auburn students 
were back in our home town of Sylacauga, AL for the break before we 
started back to summer school.  A few of us (me, another guy, his 
girlfriend, and 2 other girls), having nothing else better to do in the 
Metropolis of Sylacauga, decided to go to the City Stages Music Festival  
in Birmingham, a 45 minute drive.  Two of the girls (we'll call them 
Samantha and Cindy) went to Birmingham earlier in the day to go 
shopping, so I road with the other guy and his girlfriend (we'll call 
them Mike and Laura).  I was excited about seeing Leftover Salmon whom a 
friend of mine had told me where quite good.  I had never seen or even 
heard of them before that.  Also, playing that night were the Village 
People, Neville Brothers, and a bunch of other bands for all tastes of 
music.   The three of us were unable to obtain any alcohol, as we were 
all 19 or 20 and we couldn't find anyone in Sylacauga to buy any for us.  
But other than that, everything went according to plan. We met the 2 
shopping girls without a problem, just in time to see the boys at 7:00.  
And let me tell you, they jammed.

Immediately, I was a fan for life (AND COMPLETELY SOBER!).
I had really enjoyed shows before, but never this much, and 
never this sober.  I was having a blast; however Samantha and Cindy
had come to City Stages to see the Villiage People.  At 8:00, they said 
to me, "We better start walking over to the Villiage People stage." (they 
started at 8:30)  I said, "I don't want to see the Village People."  She said, 
"Well, we do." I said, "Fine.  Let's just wait until Leftover Salmon is over." 
(they were scheduled to stop at 8:30)  She said, "ok".  But she didn't 
mean "ok". Five minutes later, she said, "We need to start heading over 
to the Villiage People if we are gonna get a place where we can see."  
(I think I raised my voice a little louder than I should, because I was 
REALLY enjoying the show and I was tired of being bothered) I said, "Go 
on, we'll meet y'all there."  I had felt for sure Mike would back me up 
on that and he did... The three of us stayed at LoS, while Sam and Cindy 
left.  The boys didn't disappoint.  But 15 minutes later (LoS had , at 
most, 10 minutes left), Laura showed who ruled the relationship, 
declaring that they were leaving to see the Villiage People.  I stated 
very clearly that I wanted to stay for the rest of Leftover.  Laura 
whined, "Joey, just come on."  I said, "No, I'll find y'all at the 
Villiage People."

So they left and I stayed, just as the boys announced they had one more 
song.  I don't remember what it was (like I said, I didn't know 
any of their songs at the time), but it was awesome.  The whole 
time they were jamming, I was thinking, "Even if I can't find Laura and 
Mike (my ride home) at the Villiage People and have to go to the car and 
wait, it is worth it just to hear this song."  Well, the show ended, so I 
reluctantly walked to the Villiage People stage.  I, of course, couldn't 
find my friends, and I didn't like the looks of the crowd and I didn't 
want to see the Villiage People anyway, so I went to the entrance that 
you had to go through to get to the stage, and stood and waited, 
thinking they would eventually leave out of that gate.  I couldn't see 
the V.P. (thank god), but I could hear them.  Did you know all of their 
songs sound like Y.M.C.A.?  Well, I waited through the whole show 
(longest 2 hours of my life) and everyone started leaving, right back by 
where I was standing.  I stood up and started looking for my ride home.  
Finally, everyone had left and I still hadn't found them.  Crap!  I 
thought, "Well, they must be waiting at the car."  So I walked back to 
the car (about a half-mile from the entrance).  The car was gone.  Crap!  
I thought, "Well, they must be driving around looking for me."  So I 
stood and waited for them to come back..., but they didn't.  So I 
started to realize they weren't coming back...that I had been left in 
Birmingham, a long way from home.  It was past midnight now.  "Who can I 
call?  My grandparents live in Birmingham. No, they would never 
understand."

Then, I remembered a friend from high school that went to school in 
Birmingham.  With the help of 1411, I was able to get his phone number.  
I was elated.  I quickly called the number...and got the damn machine.  
I left a message (which he later told me he played a million times) and 
I don't really remember what I said, but I know it included the word 
"Laura" and several curse words.  I walked back into the gates of the 
closed City Stages festival because I felt safer than just walking the 
streets of downtown Birmingham.  I would wait a little while, then I 
would call my friend, wait, call, wait, call.  This went on for about an 
hour.  I didn't know what I was gonna do.  Then finally at about 2:00am, 
he answered.  After laughing for a long time, he gladly came and gave me 
a ride back to his place.  I slept on the floor. Luckily, the next day 
was Father's Day, so he went back to Sylacauga to see his Dad and gave 
me a ride home.  Explaining to my parents what happened was 
embarrassing, because it was partly (or largely) my fault.

I didn't talk to Laura or Mike for a long time, but I have forgiven them 
for leaving me and they sure as hell paid me back for not sticking with 
them.

In conclusion after all the hell I went through that night, I 
would like to say IT WAS WORTH IT."  <carltjm@mail.auburn.edu>

"I started listening to LOS about a year ago. I was at a party and someone I 
had been talking to mentioned the band.

Trusting their judgement I went out the next day and bought a CD.  Its all been 
snowballing from there.  Due to such a busy summer I was unable to catch a 
show then (bummer), then I was surfing the web a few weeks ago, and found 
the fall tour.  Unfortunatly the closest show was in Nashville, the day after a 
friends wedding in northern indiana (close to my home in MI).  I debated about 
30 seconds and decided I had to see the show.  So after my 6 hour trip to the 
wedding from IL, my pooch and I left imediatly after the reception for 
Nashville.  8 hours later  I arrived in Nashville.  The show was incredible, 
one of the best performances I've ever seen (i've seen the Dead, Phish, 
rusted root and god only knows how many other bands).  You just have 
to love it when you can tell a band is just DIGGING the music they are 
playing and play it so well.  Needless to say, I am planning my second 
show as I type this (St. Olaf College).  Minnesota here I come!!!!!!!!!!" 
<GDTKE1@aol.com>

"I would share a little on how I got to love and crave Salmon. Living in NYC its 
hard to hear the boys -- maybe they come around once a year.I planned my 
vacation time from work to go out there with a friend and figured I would head 
up to the Oregon Country Fair the following weekend. 

Well my friend backed out at the last minute and I have an extra ticket to High 
Sierra and no way to get there from the airport. So I went cyber.... i went online 
and was looking w/ someone with the same musical taste as I did who was 
online the same time. Thats when I met Dave.

We chatted for a bit and felt pretty comfortable - asked him if he was going to 
High Sierra and he said no cuz he didnt have the money. Thats when I made 
the offer -- if he picked me up from the airport, hung for the weekend and 
brought me back to the airport the ticket was his. Sure enough he was thrilled 
he got a ticket and I was styling w/ a ride and a kind friend to hang w/ for a few 
days. He had to be an awesome person cuz he loved Salmon & String Cheese 
as much as I did.

Well... my flight was late but Dave was still waiting for me, we went 
to High Sierra and it was more amazing then I could ever imagine. Dancing 
and groving and hanging in the mountains was spectacular.  I hung w/ Dave 
and his friends and they were great people as all salmonheads are :) 
<PHUNKYME@aol.com>