Hot Buttered Rum String Band + Drew Emmitt Band
With Leftover Salmon on hiatus, it was with open arms and open ears that we welcomed Drew Emmitt and his new band to the Abbey Pub, one of Chicago’s truly classic venues. The band is a four piece. Drew on mandolin and vocals, Ross Martin on guitar, Matt Flinner on banjo and Greg Garrison (from Salmon) on bass. Drew, Matt and Ross might as well call themselves the Colorado All Stars, because that’s who and what they are. And this band provides a perfect support system for Drew’s immense talent to shine. The crowd on this night was the most hippiefied group I’ve seen at a show in daWindy. Drunk, but kind. The opening act, a San Francisco bluegrass quintet, was also exceptional.