He discovered David Bromberg & his Big Band while in ninth grade and says it was at that point he knew music was what he wanted to do with his life.

Herman went to West Virginia University for college and began his music education by playing in a number of bands.

Over the next few years, Emmitt continued to play with the Left Hand String Band and Herman formed the Salmon Heads.

Over the next 16 years, Leftover Salmon toured extensively, was part of the jamband scene, and played at the influential H.O.R.D.E festivals.

The band went on hiatus in 2005 and Herman formed Great American Taxi, who released their debut album, Streets of Gold, in 2007.