Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman is reeling with joy… and not the fishing pole! On November 18, Herman released his first-ever solo album, Enjoy the Ride, via LoHi Records. Since dropping, the twelve-track album, produced by David “Ferg” Ferguson, has received critical acclaim, national press coverage, as well as Americana radio support, thrilling the 30+ year music vet.
“I’m deliriously happy about getting this record out and playing with my new band,” says Herman. “The shows on the road have been great and the support from radio and fans has honestly been a great relief. Doing a new project like this is kind of frightening, not knowing how it will be received. I’m incredibly grateful for the response this far and look forward to good times ahead!”
National coverage and critical acclaim:
“With his immersion into Nashville, Herman’s also peeling back the pages of Music City history, harkening back to the early days of country music, where the genre lines were blurred or not yet defined by record labels and marketing teams.”
-Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone
“His John Prine-influenced songs, played by all-star cast of supporting musicians, are pretty far removed from his full time gig, but the Americana singer/songwriter material is catchy and sharply written.” -Hal Horowitz, Creative Loafing
“It is a fabulous recording filled with original songs that reflects Herman’s time in the music business, showcasing many of the diverse genres he has dipped his hat into while staying true to his roots music heart.” -Derek Halsey, Bluegrass Unlimited
“The material ranges from Prine-ish country-folk rock (‘Lost Lover’s Eyes’) to funky swamp rock (‘Rattlesnake’) and jazzy Dixieland polka (‘Any Other Way’). There’s also straight-up bluegrass (‘Enjoy the Ride’), classic Cajun country (‘Coraleen’) and traditional country (‘Drinking Alone’).” -Daryl Sanders, The Nashville Scene
“Vince Herman is not quite a breakout artist, but he’s breaking out on his own from Leftover Salmon. His old school outlaw country sensibilities (with a touch of bluegrass) harken back to artists like Kris Kristofferson. ‘Enjoy the Ride’ is the type of album that the Americana genre was created for.” -Andre de Channes, KRSH (Santa Rosa, CA)
In December 2021, Herman was at the Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa in Nashville, the studio made famous by the late Cowboy Jack Clement, cutting tracks with a crack group of musicians, assembled by Ferguson, to back him on the sessions. All the songs were tracked live over three days with a studio band featuring guitarist Pat McLaughlin, multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott (acoustic guitar, 12-string baritone guitar, banjo), bassist Dave Roe, drummer Pete Abbott, keyboardist Mike Rojas, guitarist and pedal steel player Russ Paul, fiddlers Jason Carter and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, and Herman’s son Silas on mandolin. Tim O’Brien stopped by the studio during that time to add some harmony vocals.
“It’s absolutely a new thing and way different than anything I’ve done with Leftover Salmon,” Herman tells CMT. “I’ve kind of considered Leftover Salmon a country band. One of the intentions with this record was to make my idea of what country music is to me. It involves Cajun music, bluegrass, all that stuff that is country right now.”
Ferguson was ecstatic to work with Herman on the project but believes it should have happened sooner. “I really enjoyed making this record,” he explains. “The songs are mighty strong and his delivery is a producer’s dream. But it’s a shame he waited so long to make a solo record! It’s a good clean fun record that all the girls and boys from nine to ninety can enjoy! I’m very proud to have been involved, and I’m glad to call him a great friend and a great hang.”
This weekend, SiriusXM Outlaw Country will tip its hat to Herman with an “Inside Outlaws” mini-concert. The hour-long special, hosted by Ferguson, will feature Herman performing the new tunes in-studio.
Air dates and times:
SiriusXM Outlaw Country (Channel 60) – Vince Herman “Inside Outlaws”
Friday, December 2 / 8 pm ET
Saturday, December 3 / 9 am & 5 pm ET
Sunday, December 4 / 12 pm & 9 pm ET
Enjoy the Ride is available to stream or download now through all digital music retailers. Order the physical edition — CD or vinyl — HERE.
Herman will round out the year promoting the album with a few additional solo dates:
December 1 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House (w/ The Travelin’ McCourys)
December 2 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern (w/ The Travelin’ McCourys)
December 13 – Madison, TN – Eastside Bowl (WMOT Wired In Show)
Enjoy the Ride Track Listing:
1. Lost Lover’s Eyes
2. Flying
3. The Ride
4. Coraleen
5. Rattlesnake
6. Any Other Way
7. I’d Rather Be Alone
8. Better Way
9. Lately
10. Old Pictures
11. All Outta Love Songs
12. Drinking Alone
