Michael Cleveland Archives - Page 5 of 16

Cold rain comes to Lake Havasu

This report on the 14th annual Bluegrass On The Beach festival in Lake Havasu, AZ is a contribution from David VanGelder.

While the blizzards and cold from back East may have risen to more spring-like temperatures, there was still no comparison to the mid-eighties breezes and sunny skies of Lake Havasu. The holidays have passed, and Memorial Day is still a long way off—the perfect time to shake up the winter doldrums. If this were your winter getaway trip, simply the rejuvenating warmth of the sun would have been worth it. Add that to three days of hanging out on a beach at a bluegrass festival, and you have yourself a very fine escape.

Lake Havasu State Park is a terrific venue for a bluegrass festival, with plenty of camping space for tents on the sand as well as the usual fleet of monster RVs. You can set up your portable home right in the middle of jamming territory or farther up the beach, where you’d find plenty of peace and quiet after a long day of sun and music. For those campers without “en suite” bathrooms there were flush toilets and hot showers available—and L&S Promotions even provided volunteers in golf carts to shuttle folks between campground and venue!

At the start of the festival, things immediately kicked into high gear with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper playing at 11:00 a.m. Friday morning. By the time they were halfway through their first set—playing tunes like Farewell Blues, Orange Blossom Special, and Cackling Hen—the crowd was already looking forward to hearing them again! Michael left no doubt as to why he is the ten-time IBMA fiddle player of the year.

Another highlight of the weekend was hearing Bluegrass Etc, a favorite trio on the southwest festival circuit. Their secret to success is quality music and a “down homeness” that makes you feel like you’re sitting on their patio swapping tunes and stories. Their set ended with a rollicking guitar/banjo pick-off version of Johnny Cash’ Folsom Prison Blues.

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers were there to scratch the itch of the traditional crowd. In their suits and ties, singing perfect harmony, they personified the professional bluegrass band. Larry Gillis and The West Coast Swamp Band played a hard-driving flavor of traditional music, while Nu-Blu was here for the second year in a row, playing a more contemporary bluegrass style.

In contrast to the more traditional-sounding music, the original tunes of Mike Andes and Nothin Fancy were a fresh change. This band laughs easily, usually at themselves, and had everyone wishing these guys were playing at their party. Another diversion from the traditional was the solo cowboy act Dave Stamey. A cross of Uncle Pecos and Garrison Keillor, he is one man, one guitar, a delightful sense of humor, and a voice you could listen to all day long. In his cowboy hat and droopy silver mustache, he sure looked the part. And he yodeled—three times! The bluegrassers gave him a standing “O” and made him come back for one last tune. Did I mention he actually yodels? Wow!

The festival came to an abrupt end Sunday, when the weather got “interesting.” The winds had been picking up speed all day, and in the middle of Nu-Blu’s final set, a full-on squall rolled in off the lake. Carolyn Routh’s vocal mic actually blew around in a circle mid-tune, and then a gust blew over the mando mic stand. At that point, it was “abandon ship!” as instrument cases tried to wander off the stage and empty lawn chairs attempted to fly. When a cold rain joined the wind, the show was definitely over.

Inclement weather aside the festival seemed flawless. Old Blue Sound did their usual terrific job making the bands (and one cowboy) sound great. Larry and Sondra Baker threw a wonderful party, and Bluegrass on the Beach at Lake Havasu City was a great way to jumpstart the 2016 festival season.

Cody Looper to Michael Cleveland

Well… now we know why Cody Looper stepped away from Blue Mafia.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have announced this morning that Cody will be their new banjo player. He steps in to the spot recently vacated when Gaven Largent left the band to play reso-guitar for Blue Highway. Of course, that position with Blue Highway opened up when Rob Ickes decided it was time for him to take his leave.

It appears that the annual bluegrass post-season rotation is well in hand!

Michael says that he has high hopes for Cody in the band.

“I’ve always been impressed that while coming up with really creative ideas, Cody never loses sight of the traditional side of banjo playing. You can hear a little bit of all the great banjo players in his playing, but even more important, you can hear things that are definitely his own style. I’m looking forward to what he will bring to the Flamekeeper sound.”

And Looper is ready to hit the road with the band.

“I have always been a fan of Michael’s music and especially enjoyed getting to jam with him. I’m super excited to start this new chapter of my career with Flamekeeper.”

Cody is starting right away with Michael when they get back to touring after New Years. You can find the Flamekeeper schedule online.

Thursday at 2015 Land Fest

The Dailey & Vincent Land Fest held at Denton Farm Park in Denton, North Carolina opened on Thursday. Cindy Baucom is the emcee at this show with assistance from Jamie and Darrin.

The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band opened the show. The ETSU bluegrass music program is growing by leaps and bounds, drawing students from all over the United States. Heather and Tony Mabe were next up with their Gospel music ministry. This was their first bluegrass festival appearance since 2012. They have been doing church shows and revivals.

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper put on the high energy show that fans have come to expect. Jamie and Darrin joked with Michael about him wearing a pink shirt and the rest of the band blue. Michael said he would get even with Jamie and Darrin. Michael was wearing a blue shirt! The Isaacs closed the evening with a show that can only be characterized as “Isaacs music.” They had the crowd on its feet several times.

Friday brings The Church Sisters, Danny Paisley and Southern Grass, The Lonesome River band, Blue Highway, and Dailey and Vincent to the stage. There will also be cooking demonstrations from Springer Mountain Chicken along with product tasting.

Bluegrass On The Grass 2015

Thankfully, Frank Baker was in attendance this year for the 2015 Bluegrass on the Grass Festival in Carlisle, PA. This was the 20th Anniversary of this free festival held on the campus of Dickinson College. He sent along these images from the July 11 event.

Raleigh concert airs tonight on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country

During last year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass, WAMU’s Bluegrass Country and Raleigh’s WUNC hosted a special, invitation-only concert at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, located a few blocks from the Raleigh Convention Center where most of the IBMA events were occurring.

You had to be somebody, or know somebody, to get tickets to this reception, which featured live performances from Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, and The Spinney Brothers. Most of the tickets went to WUNC donors and Raleigh big wigs, and the public was not invited.

For those who think they remember the show, this isn’t the one broadcast live from Raleigh during IBMA week, though it occurred the same night in that same location. That one featured Raleigh and North Carolina-based artists, and was held in a different part of the Science Museum.

Anyway… I say all that to say this. Bluegrass Country will air the unheard concert from IBMA tonight, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. during their Open Mic program. 30 minute sets from each of these stellar bluegrass acts will be included, recorded live on stage.

You can hear it via live streaming online at bluegrasscountry.org, on HD radio in the DC market at 88.5-2, or at 105.5 FM. This show has been aired perviously on North Carolina Public Radio, but never before on WAMU.

Don’t forget that Bluegrass Country is a listener-supported station, and your donations keep bluegrass, old time, and Americana broadcasting 24/7. If you enjoy the show, consider making a one-time or ongoing contribution.

Flamekeeper at SPBGMA

As promised, Michael Cleveland unveiled his new young banjo player, Gaven Largent, during his set at SPBGMA last weekend. Largest who had been a SPBGMA regular since he was a young teen showed the audience more accustomed to seeing him sliding around on a reso-guitar that he was an accomplished 5 stringer as well.

Here’s video of the band performing their gratified version of Julian Lennon’s Much Too Late For Goodbyes, which serves as the opening track of their current album, On Down The Line. Josh Richards also shines on the lead vocal, demonstrating an agility and command of falsetto uncommon in contemporary bluegrass.

Michael also gave Gaven a chance to display his dobro skills in a brilliant duet with the fiddle. They chose Fisher’s Hornpipe, and the audience was thrilled to see that every time Largent pushed Michael with a showy lick, Cleveland always had more than enough in the tank to push right back.

If you watch the videos, I’m sure you’ll agree. Largent is a great addition to an already strong band.

Gavin Largent to Flamekeeper

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have announced the addition of Gaven Largent to the band, on both banjo and resonator guitar. He takes the spot recently vacated by Glenn Gibson who reported wanting to spend more time at home.

Just 18 years of age, Largent has been wowing audiences with his stellar playing this past few years, working in the northern Virginia area with both Bud’s Collective and Lonesome Highway. He’s also picked up numerous competition trophies, including the Maryland State Banjo competition in 2008, and multiple wins at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax.

A fine judge of talent, Cleveland sees the rare gift in his new young hire.

“Gaven is an incredible musician who plays way beyond his years. He has his own style on both banjo and dobro and he definitely has the flash to go along with it. He knows when to play and when not to, which is sometimes most important. You can tell that he listens to everyone around him and does his best to compliment and enhance the sound of the band. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to play with some really incredible musicians, but I’ve never heard someone so advanced for his age.”

For Gaven, this is his first foray into working as a musician full time, and he’ll get a quick dose of the road life working with Michael. He shared a sense of excitement mixed with gratitude at the prospect.

“I’m extremely honored and excited to be able to share the stage with such incredible musicians. They’re wonderful people to be on the road with, and the music is tight and I feel like the groove is some of the best on the circuit these days. I am so thankful to everyone who has helped to put me where I am now, and I look forward to doing this full time. It’s always been a dream for me to be a full time musician, and here I am. It’s a good place to be and I’ll see everyone down the road somewhere!”

I wasn’t able to find a good video of Largent on banjo, but here he is destroying the dobro on Fisher’s Hornpipe with his friend, Jack Dunlap.

He’s sure to add a spark to the already incendiary Flamekeeper show, and will be with the band this weekend at the SPBGMA convention in Nashville.

One Critic’s Picks: The Best of 2014

One of the best parts of this job is finding new music in my mailbox on a regular basis. But the fun turns into work at the end of the year, when I wade back through all of that music and try to come up with my top picks of the year. That requires many difficult decisions.

This year, especially, the choices were angst-inducing. That’s a good thing for bluegrass listeners, because it means there was plenty of great music released through the year. But for me? I could easily have filled out a Top 20 or Top 25, and still left out some terrific projects. Picking, as I did, my 12 favorites for 2014, was extremely difficult, but that’s why they pay me the big bucks.

So, here goes, with the usual reminder that this list is entirely subjective. Your mileage may vary. Feel free to note your favorites in the comment section.

1. Becky Buller – ‘Tween Earth and Sky I can’t stop listening to this wonderful solo project. It has everything you could ask for: Top-notch picking, sophisticated songwriting and superb vocals. If this one isn’t in your collection, rectify the oversight at once.

2. Balsam Range – Five The output from Buddy Melton and company just keeps getting better over time. To my ear, the band’s fifth record is the best of a solid portfolio. Need convincing? Give a listen to Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold).

3. Seldom Scene – Long Time Yes, you’ve heard versions of most of these songs on earlier recordings from this long-running band. But these takes are clean and fresh and worth repeat plays. Is there any better vocal trio than Dudley Connell, Lou Reid, and Fred Travers? On a specific song, perhaps, but not over an entire body of work.

4. Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen – Cold Spell There might not be a tighter instrumental quartet on the circuit right now. This Grammy-nominated CD includes all the evidence needed to make that judgment. Solivan’s vocals are icing on the cake.

5. Lonesome River Band – Turn On a Dime The band’s first original project after a stretch of reworking past hits for its Chronology trilogy was well worth the wait. You’ll find no filler here.

6. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper – On Down the Line The record’s first single, Fiddlin’ Joe, by Mark (Brink) Brinkman, might as well have been called Fiddlin’ Mike. The former child prodigy keeps the throttle wide open on every song. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

7. Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes – Three Bells This all-dobro masterpiece was started as a tribute to Auldridge. By the time it was released, Auldridge was gone and the record became a memorial. I can’t say it any better than John Lawless put it in his Bluegrass Today review: “Three Bells will be the standard to which all other dobro records will be compared for some time.”

8. Infamous Stringdusters – Let It Go These guys continue to push the envelope as they occupy the space between bluegrass and jam band. This one is fueled by strong songwriting, especially Where The River Runs Cold, with lyrics by band member Jeremy Garrett and prolific writer Jon Weisberger.

9. Blue Highway – The Game The band’s 10^th studio album is one of its strongest. It’s hard to pick a favorite song because they’re all solid. It’s also hard to pick a favorite singer because any one of the vocalists could easily front his own band.

10. Dave Adkins – Nothing to Lose Pike County Jail has been on the charts for months, but there’s a lot more to this record than the single. Adkins has the biggest voice in bluegrass now that Chris Stapleton isn’t touring, and he uses it with great impact here.

11. Detour – Going Nowhere Fast Don’t be fooled by the CD’s title. This Michigan-based band is going places in a hurry. The main reason: Missy Armstrong is the best bluegrass singing woman not named Claire Lynch or Dale Ann Bradley.

12. Irene Kelley – Pennsylvania Coal Kelley owes most of the accolades she has received in bluegrass circles to her role as a songwriter. But her warm, soothing voice on this solo project keeps the record in regular rotation in my CD player, and leaves me eager to hear what she’ll offer next.

That’s my list. I’m eager to see yours.

Glenn Gibson says goodbye to Flamekeeper

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have announced that Glenn Gibson, who has played banjo with the band this past three years, is leaving the group. He will do his last show tonight at the Festival of the Riverboats in Louisville, KY.

In addition to be being a loyal bandmate, Glenn is a long-time friend of Michael’s and several others in the group.

He says that he made the decision earlier this summer.

“Making a living as a performer is a challenge in any genre of music. To that end, I spoke to Michael several months ago and shared the difficult decision that this would be my last season with Flamekeeper. The music we made and the album, On Down The Line, are highlights in my music career. The last three years provide fond memories that I will cherish and the camaraderie shared with bandmates and the Flamekeeper team has been awesome.”

While auditioning possible new pickers, Michael is sorry to see Gibson leave.

“For the past three years, Glenn has been a big part of our sound, both live on stage and on our latest album. He put his own stamp on the music of Flamekeeper and also took the time to learn solos and backup from the other great banjo players we’ve had in the past. We will all miss Glenn both musically and personally. He’s one of the finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with and all of us wish him well.”

Anyone interested in auditioning for the banjo spot is invited to send audio samples of themselves in a live setting to info@flamekeeperband.com.

Michael Cleveland at IBMA

During the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass and Wide Open Bluegrass festival, we had the chance to interview many of the top artists and songwriters in our business. Among them was Michael Cleveland, a highly-respected fiddler and bandleader, who shared some thoughts about his new record, On Down The Line, and his current edition of Flamekeeper.