As the holiday season approaches, Leftover Salmon is set to return to their true home: the Boulder Theater. These post-Thanksgiving shows have become as integral to the holiday as turkey and pumpkin pie, bringing together fans and family in a celebration of music and community.

This year, the festivities are elevated with the legendary Sam Bush joining the stage, promising unforgettable performances that honor the band's rich history in Boulder. Grateful Web had the pleasure of speaking with Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon ahead of these special shows. We delved into the band's deep roots in Boulder, the significance of the Boulder Theater in their journey, and the unique "polyethnic cajun slamgrass" sound that has made them pioneers in the progressive bluegrass scene.

Read on as Drew shares heartfelt reflections on growing up in Boulder, the evolution of its vibrant music scene, and his excitement about sharing the stage with Sam Bush, The Mountain Grass Unit, and The Fretliners. It's a homecoming you won't want to miss.

GW: Leftover Salmon's tradition of playing at the Boulder Theater after Thanksgiving has become almost as classic as the holiday itself. What keeps bringing you back year after year?

Drew: Boulder Theater feels like home to us. It’s a place where we’ve created so many great memories. It’s a tradition that feels like a homecoming.

GW: Boulder has a special place in Leftover Salmon’s history. Can you share what Boulder means to you and how it influenced the evolution of the band?

Drew: Boulder is my hometown. My family lived there for years, and it’s where I started playing music and going to bluegrass festivals. Bands like New Grass Revival and Hot Rize were big influences. The Boulder music scene was thriving when I was growing up, with so much great music coming out of there.

GW: Many fans associate the Boulder Theater with some of Leftover Salmon’s most iconic performances. What are some standout memories you have from your shows there over the years?

Drew: One New Year’s, we had a giant church and a giant liquor store set up on stage—that was unforgettable. Another favorite memory was the last time we played with Sam Bush; it was such a special night. Nick Forster joining us and playing tunes was another highlight.

GW: You’ve played unforgettable New Year’s Eve shows at the Boulder Theater. Could you share your thoughts on why it’s such a special venue for celebrating milestones?

Drew: When I was growing up, the Boulder Theater was closed down. It used to be a movie theater and sat empty for years. When it reopened for music, it was a huge deal. It’s such a beautiful theater, and its reopening marked a special moment for the Boulder community.

GW: How has Boulder’s music scene changed since you first started playing here, and what has remained the same?

Drew: There aren’t as many places to play as there used to be. Most things have shifted toward Denver and Fort Collins. Boulder’s academic world has grown, with the college taking up more space. Back in the early ’70s, when the mall area was redeveloped, it changed the city in many ways. A lot of artists moved away during that time.

GW: Leftover Salmon has always been a genre-bending band with a unique sound. How did the term “polyethnic Cajun slamgrass” come about, and what does it mean to you today?

Drew: We were playing a show in Telluride and overheard the door guy describe us as “blues rock.” I knew we needed to change that! I’d been in a band called the Salmonheads, and we’d described our sound as “polyethnic.” When the Salmonheads and the Left Hand String Band came together, we called it “polyethnic Cajun slamgrass,” and it stuck.

GW: Leftover Salmon has played with so many incredible musicians over the years. Are there any artists, local or otherwise, that you’d love to share the stage with at the Boulder Theater?

Drew: We’re thrilled to have Sam Bush out with us this time, along with The Mountain Grass Unit and The Fretliners. It’s going to be a great weekend.