When it comes to instrumentation, Michael Cleveland doesn’t simply fiddle around. Is there anyone out there in Bluegrass USA who would dispute that? Surely, that’s the big reason that Cleveland and his band, Flamekeeper, have reached the finalist round for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s title of Instrumental Group of the Year.

Cleveland himself has won IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year five times and he’s nominated for the same honor this year. He’s been playing fiddle since the age of four.

Other members of his band are guitarist Todd Rakestraw, Jesse Brock on mandolin, bass player Marshall Wilborn and banjo player John Mark Batchelor.

Adding proof to the contention that the instruments are king in Cleveland’s book, his first Rounder Records CD, “Flame Keeper,” was the IBMA’s Instrumental Album of the Year in 2002, and another project of banjo and fiddle duets, “Tom Adams and Michael Cleveland Live at the Ragged Edge,” took the same award in 2004.

Meanwhile, Cleveland and Flamekeeper have recently released “Leavin’ Town,” their debut band release on Rounder Records.

Website: http://www.flamekeeperband.com/

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper Discography:

Awards & Honors

Other Media:
“Northern White Clouds” - Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper at the Aiken Bluegrass Festival May 9, 2007

• Blue Highway
• Dan Tyminski Band
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• The Infamous Stringdusters

Who’s going to win the 2008 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year? Vote for your Favorite below!