As the dynamic lead singer and mandolin player with the popular jamband Leftover Salmon and his own Drew Emmitt Band, Drew is a true renaissance man on musical instruments. Playing mandolin, fiddle, acoustic and electric guitar, he's a string man to be reckoned with. Fans and peers alike marvel at his powerful crystal-clear, pitch-perfect vocal style. He excels in unique energy driven mandolin licks and his influences include a pantheon of musical heroes including Lowell George, Steve Morse, Duane Allman, John Cowan, Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Hot Rize and New Grass Revival.
BILL NERSHI
From the saloons of Telluride to the some of the most sought after venues in America, Bill Nershi has delighted countless fans as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and founding member of the String Cheese Incident. A seasoned veteran of flat-picking and a variety of acoustic styles, Nershi adds a unique, colorful perspective to virtually any musical situation he encounters, and his enthusiasm and playful spirit encourage an interactive, participatory experience for musicians and fans alike. His most recent forays into dobro, bass, and lap steel playing, as well as his accomplished songwriting contributions with the recently-formed Honkytonk Homeslice, prove that his musical horizons will only continue to expand.
ANDY THORN
Andy Thorn is a young banjoist who is fast emerging as one of a new generation of hot pickers. Andy has played in many different groups through the years. While studying music at the University of North Carolina, he played with the UNC Jazz Band as well as the Big Fat Gap bluegrass band. Andy spent the summers of 2003 and 04 in Colorado touring with the Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band, winning the Rockygrass banjo and band contests in 2003. 2005 was an exciting year for Andy, as touring with Larry Keel and Natural Bridge allowed him to play at some of the biggest festivals in the country. Andy has also shared the stage in the past with Jim Lauderdale at Bonnaroo, Frank Wakefield, Tony Rice, Darol Anger, Yonder Mountain String Band, Chris Thile and Tony Trishcka.
TYLER GRANT
Tyler Grant is a young guitarist with high aspirations. He became the 2008 National Flatpicking Champion for placing first at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. He also appeared at Winfield in 2005 and placed second. He placed first at the 2008 New England Flatpicking Championship, the 2005 Wayne C. Henderson Festival Guitar Contest, and the 2003 Colorado Flatpicking Championship at Rockygrass. He holds a BFA in Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and is an active and experienced performer and teacher of many instruments and styles ranging from classical to bluegrass. He has played guitar with the Drew Emmitt Band since 2005 and bass with the Emmitt-Nershi Band since 2007.
