Michael Cleveland Archives - Bluegrass Today

Last Time I Saw Him from Red Camel Collective

Heather Berry Mabe, the 2024 IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year, pays tribute to a number of her heroes in Red Camel Collective’s new Pinecastle Records single, Last Time I Saw Him.

This new group is an organic outgrowth of Junior Sisk’s powerful touring ensemble. As Junior has been booking fewer shows of late, the rest of the band has been playing out on their own, while keeping themselves free to make all their dates with the boss man.

In addition to Heather on guitar and lead vocal, we have her husband, Tony Mabe, on banjo, Johnathan Dillon on mandolin, and Curt Love on bass.

Heather shared a few words about how Last Time I Saw Him came to her attention, and who all the Collective has joining them on the track.

“This is such a cool tune. It was suggested to us by Dale Ann Bradley. She’s been loving this song since she first heard Dottie West’s version years ago. It was first a #1 hit for Diana Ross in 1973, then a #8 hit for Dottie in 1974.

In our version, we wanted to pay homage to the Nashville A-Team and their incredible arrangement of this song but with bluegrass instrumentation. We love the retro feel and melody line, and we are so proud to be joined on this tune by Suzanne Cox, Sharon White, and Michael Cleveland! It’s a doozy for sure!”

The song was written by Michael Masser and Pam Sawyer, and Red Camel Collective et al turn in a rousing bluegrass take, 50 years hence.

Last Time I Saw Him is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers at AirPlay Direct.

Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter talk fiddlin’ on the Opry

The Grand Ole Opry has released a brief interview with Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, two extra heavy hitters in the bluegrass fiddle world, about their twin fiddle collab album coming next spring.

So far three singles from the record have been released, Jason singing Outrun The Rain and Give It Away, plus the two of them tearing up the Kenny Baker classic, Bluegrass in the Backwoods.

Opry staff caught up with the two fearless bowmen backstage to discuss the upcoming album, and them being fiddle pals for years.

Bloomin’ Bluegrass 2024 – final year at Farmers Branch Historical Park

Michael Cleveland accepts the Bluegrass Star award at Blooming Bluegrass 2024
with Rhonda Vincent, Dan Tyminski, and Del McCoury – photo © Randy Watkins

The 2024 Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival, held October 18-19 in Farmers Branch, TX, will be the final such event to be hosted in the city’s Farmer’s Branch Historical Park. After 15 successful years in the park, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, who manages the festival, has reached an agreement to change both the time and place going forward, with the festival moving to early August at the Hilton Doubletree hotel in Dallas, near the Galleria, where it has been rebranded as the Farmer’s Branch Bluegrass Festival.

Also making news last month in Farmer’s Branch was the awarding of the Foundation’s Bluegrass Star trophy to fiddle great Michael Cleveland. This is presented each year to an artist notable for preserving and advancing traditional bluegrass music nationally.

Bluegrass Heritage President Alan Tompkins said while presenting the award to Cleveland…

“Michael’s incredible talents have brought bluegrass music to many thousands of new listeners over the course of his career, and he is a worthy recipient of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Bluegrass Star Award.

Prior winners have included Rhonda Vincent, J.D. Crowe, Jerry Douglas, Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Bobby Osborne, and several others.

We also thank Alan for sharing this array of photos from the 2024 festival, taken by Randy Watkins and Nate Dalzell.

Bluegrass in the Backwoods by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland

Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland – photo © Emma McCoury Photography

Fiddle heroes and close friends Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland have released another track from their upcoming twin fiddle project. This time they call on one of the finest fiddlers to ever draw a bow, Kenny Baker, for a tune that has challenged bowsters for nearly two generations, Bluegrass in the Backwoods.

With its instantly recognizable introduction, this four part tune first appeared on Baker’s 1976 Frost on the Pumpkin album, and it has fascinated fiddlers ever since.

Carter says that this has been near the top of his list for some time.

“Kenny Baker was one of the pioneers of bluegrass fiddling, and has been a huge influence on both mine and Michael’s playing styles. I’ve loved Bluegrass in the Backwoods ever since I first heard it as a teenager.”

Jason and Michael not only perform this difficult number, they kick it off in perfect harmony. You may have heard people twin this tune before, but not like this!

Cleveland agrees, describing how much fun they had cutting this track.

“It’s a challenging tune to play, and I’ve often wondered how it would sound with twin fiddles. One of the highlights for me is the trade-off section where Jason and I get to jam over the third and fourth parts of the tune. Casey Campbell (mandolin), Alan Bartram (bass), Cody Kilby (guitar), and Cory Walker (banjo) absolutely crushed it. I couldn’t be happier with how our arrangement turned out—it’s such a blast, with everyone taking blistering solos.

It’s hard to play this song without thinking of Kenny Baker, and I often imagine a big jam session in the field at Bean Blossom, with someone like Joe Greene or Bobby Hicks playing harmony.”

It’s might powerful! Have a listen…

Bluegrass in the Backwoods by Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland is available now on Fiddleman Records from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Video Premiere: Outrun The Rain at The Opry from Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter

Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland on the Opry (8/7/24) – photo © Emma McCoury

Back on August 7, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland trekked out to the Grand Ole Opry for the debut live performance of their latest single, Outrun The Rain. Now, a little more than two weeks later, the song makes its debut on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay chart at #1, a rare occurrence indeed.

We are delighted to also offer the premiere of the music video shot at the Opry on the seventh, which features very nearly the same personnel as the recording. With Michael and Jason on fiddles, and Carter singing lead, we see Cory Walker on banjo, Harry Clark on mandolin, Alan Bartram on bass, and Zeb Snyder subbing for Bryan Sutton on guitar. Bartram and Jaelee Roberts add vocal harmony.

As you might guess with a lineup like this, they turn in a stellar performance.

So without any further ado…

Jason and Michael also shared some terrific photos from the Opry, taken by Emma McCoury.

Outrun The Rain is available from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct. It will also appear on Jason and Michael’s new album together when it is released.

Outrun The Rain from Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland

Could there be any two bluegrass fiddlers hotter than Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland? Since the year 2000, 16 of the 23 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards have gone to one or the other, with Michael taking the larger of the haul.

Now with Jason’s emergence as a solo recording artist, taking advantage of his compelling voice as well as his impressive bow work, he and Michael have teamed up for a new project of twin-fiddled, Carter-voiced offerings. The second single from that album releases today on Fiddle Man Records, one entitled O utrun The Rain, written by Terry Herd and Jimmy Yeary.

The guys will debut the song live tonight on the Grand Ole Opry at 7:00 p.m. (CST), broadcast on WSM 650 AM from Nashville, and via online streaming worldwide. Be sure to tune in, or if you’re within an easy drive of Nashville, tickets for tonight’s show are available online. Also appearing tonight will be Alexandra Kay, Connie Smith, Riders in the Sky, Dustin Lynch, Charlie McCoy, Rhett Walker, and Austin Williams.

But we have the single here for you to hear this morning, the recorded version that is. With Michael and Jason on fiddles, and Jason singing the lead, we have Cory Walker on banjo, Harry Clark on mandolin, Bryan Sutton on guitar, and Alan Bartram on bass. Harmony vocals come from Jaylee Roberts and Vince Gill.

For a kickoff, they delivered a fiery fiddle rush to lead into a song that drives like a hurricane downpour.

Michael says that the distinctive kick was his idea.

“I aimed to create a twin fiddle intro that mimics the sound of rain, and when I heard Jason sing the chorus for the first time, I knew adding tenor and high baritone would make it even more powerful. Vince and Jaelee exceeded all expectations, making the final track something truly special.”

And Carter also credits Cleveland for the lick that follows the breakdown section.

“During the recording process, we also wanted to incorporate a jam section with instrument trades, and Michael came up with a really cool twin fiddle part to lead us back into the final chorus.

We’re thrilled with how Outrun the Rain turned out.”

It’s is, indeed, a special track. Have a listen…

Outrun The Rain is available today from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

We hope to have some coverage of their Opry appearance tomorrow as well.

Give It Away from Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland

How about we take two of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers of all time, and turn them loose in the studio? How could that not be a great idea?

That’s what Jason Carter thought, looking at the success of his recent solo album, Lowdown Hoedown. Knowing that he and Michael Cleveland were essentially cut from the same cloth, stylistically, and that they had been friends for the past three decades, why not get the two of them together to record? It’s a project the two have been talking about for quite some time, and now have finally brought to fruition.

Today we get a first listen to what they have created in a new song from Tim O’Brien and Matt Combs, Give It Away. We have Carter, bowman for The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys this past 30 years, and Cleveland, who has fronted his own Flamekeeper Band since 2006, twinning fiddles with Jason singing the lead. What’s not to like?

Between the two of them, Jason and Michael have a combined 18 IBMA Fiddler of the Year Awards, voted by their peers among bluegrass music professionals. 12 went to Michael, who has dominated that category for some time, and six to Jason. Each of them have collected three Grammy awards apiece. Is this getting through? This pairing is a big ol’ deal!

Give It Away is a bluesy grasser, recorded with support from Cory Walker on banjo, Bryan Sutton on guitar, Sam Bush on mandolin and harmony vocal, and Alan Bartram on bass. The song shares a simple home truth, you have to give in order to get, especially where love is concerned.

Or as Carter put it…

“When I first heard this song from Tim and Matt, it resonated deeply with me. It reflects a principle instilled in me by my parents: it’s always better to give than receive. Having Sam join me on vocals felt fitting. He has a remarkable ability to light up any room with his presence, and he embodies the spirit of giving and receiving love. It’s a joy to share this song with him.”

Cleveland readily agreed, saying…

“I first heard Give It Away on a demo Tim sent us, and I liked the song immediately. Tim’s version had a great old-time feel to it, but once I heard Jason sing it in the key of B, I knew we had a hard-driving bluegrass song on our hands!

The message of the song is something we can all learn from, and the groove never stops. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Bryan Sutton, Cory Walker, Alan Bartram, and Sam Bush for bringing this song to life.”

It’s a good’n, from the fiery twin fiddles, to Jason’s vocal, to the tight backing from the studio pickers.

Check it out…

Give It Away from Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

A full album of this fabulous fiddle collaboration is expected soon on Carter’s Fiddle Man Records.

Michael Cleveland on MSNBC tonight (video added)

Due to a concentration of circumstances, bluegrass fiddle maestro Michael Cleveland will be making a last minute television appearance tonight (1/18) on MSNBC.

Cleveland, in New York City for tomorrow’s sold out performance with Tony Trischka at The City Winery, celebrating Tony’s 75th birthday, was able to honor a long standing request to appear on the 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle. Tonight’s show had been intended to focus on a Republican debate, which was cancelled yesterday after one of the participants refused to take part.

So Michael is in and Nikki Haley out. Sounds like a good trade.

Tune in at 11:00 p.m. (EST) tonight for the program. Cleveland is expected to be involved in a segment in the second half of the one hour show, to talk with host Stephanie Ruhle about his upcoming schedule, which includes a European tour with Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart starting on January 30, and a string of dates with his own band, Flamekeeper, and the Louisville Orchestra billed as the In Harmony Tour starting at the end of February.

Cleveland is also sure to play some fiddle for Ruhle and her staff in his segment. If we can find video we’ll include it tomorrow.

Info on all those tour dates can be found online.

Rhapsody in Blue(grass) from Béla Fleck

We shared the news last month that five string banjo maestro Béla Fleck was set to release a new album that explored the music of 20th century American composer George Gershwin, most prominently his masterwork, Rhapsody in Blue. Béla tackles the piece three ways, quite like the 1920s original with a jazz orchestra, again in a blues vein, and in the version released today as a single, with a bluegrass ensemble.

Rhapsody in Blue(grass) finds Fleck accompanied by the core band from his celebrated My Bluegrass Heart tour, Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Sierra Hull on mandolin, Justin Moses on reso-guitar, Mark Schatz on bass, and Bryan Sutton on guitar. They play through the basic melody of this iconic composition, before breaking out into an improvisational exploration of the tune in a grassy rhythm.

Béla says that the idea came to him while working with these same stellar musicians, though he admits to having had some early doubts.

“One day while on tour with My Bluegrass Heart, surrounded by these geniuses, a thought occurred to me – Rhapsody in Blue(grass)?! I kept the thought to myself, realizing it was either the greatest idea or possibly the very worst I had ever thought of. But it wouldn’t go away. When we started to actually explore it, I realized that it actually sounded quite good. With the bluegrass version, we had the opportunity to stretch out, have some fun, and make some different creative moves.”

Jazz purists might turn up their noses, but in truth it really works quite well, especially under the fingers of these fine performers. New ways to hear older melodies is always an adventure, and this one should find a ready audience across multiple genres.

Have a listen to Rhapsody in Blue(grass)…

It’s no accident that this track is released now, one day before the 100th celebration of Earl Scruggs’ birth, which Fleck will mark by appearing on the big 100th birthday show at The Ryman Auditorium on Saturday night. Earl was never known to explore Gershwin, though he clearly had a fondness for Dixieland jazz, given all the standards of that style he converted to bluegrass, like Bugle Call Rag, Farewell Blues, and Dear Old Dixie.

Rhapsody in Blue(grass) from Béla Fleck is available now as a single from popular download and streaming services online. It is also included on Béla’s next album, Rhapsody in Blue, which is expected on February 12, the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s premiere.

Pre-orders on CD or vinyl are enabled now online.

Michael Cleveland on NBC Nightly News tonight

A profile on bluegrass fiddle wizard Michael Cleveland, and his new album on Compass Records, Lovin’ of the Game, is set to run tonight (March 7) on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

Michael sat with NBC correspondent Sam Brock for an interview prior to a recent show in Florida, where they discussed the new record, and Michael’s remarkable career as a musician, despite being completely blind and very nearly deaf.

Lovin’ of the Game finds him in the studio with some heavy hitters of bluegrass, like Billy Strings, Béla Fleck, and The Travelin’ McCourys, plus appearances by country star Vince Gill, and Charlie Starr of Georgia rockers Blackberry Smoke. Cleveland’s first rate touring group, Flamekeeper, also appears on several tracks.

Compass has gone all out on publicity for this release, as you can see with this TV segment, plus a feature in the New York Times, and Michael, who has always maintained an unassuming attitude about his music, says that he is loving it.

“This has been one of the most exciting times of my career. I’ve always wanted to make the best possible records and stretch the boundary as much as I could, while still staying close to my love of bluegrass. For the album to be received in this way has been such an honor, and to be interviewed by The New York Times and NBC Nightly News has been a thrill!”

Knowing network news, it’s unlikely to be a lengthy piece, but it will be great to have Michael Cleveland, and his remarkable fiddle playing, exposed to such a large audience.

Tune in at 6:30 tonight, or set the show to be recorded, to see him in all his glory on TV.

Hats off to Michael, Compass Records, and Kimberly Williams with East Public Relations for getting Michael’s music so much attention outside the bluegrass realm.