From an early age, Michael Cleveland heard old-time and bluegrass music at local jams and festivals near his hometown of Henryville, Indiana. His grandparents hosted regular bluegrass gatherings at the American Legion, and at age four, he began playing the fiddle. He attended the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, where he learned the Suzuki method of violin. While he practiced the violin at school, he played fiddle at home. Cleveland began playing professionally after he graduated from high school, first with Jeff White, later with Dale Ann Bradley and Rhonda Vincent. However, Cleveland had always dreamed of leading his own band and in 2006, he formed Flamekeeper, seven-time recipients of the IBMA’s “Instrumental Group of the Year” award, including Josh Richards, Nathan Livers, Jasiah Shrode, and Chris Douglas. In addition to touring with his band, Cleveland has performed with a legendary list of bluegrass greats: Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, Vince Gill, and more. Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. His recording Fiddler’s Dream was nominated in 2018 for a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album, and in 2019, he won a GRAMMY for his album Tall Fiddler. The same year, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. And in 2022, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship.

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Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Groton Hill Music Center

Although he is only in his early forties, Grammy winner Michael Cleveland has a lifetime of accolades to his credit. Cleveland picked up the fiddle at age four. By the time he was nine, he was sitting in with legend Bill Monroe at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. Soon after, he brought his virtuosic style to the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Alison Krauss. Also, he was handpicked for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Youth All-Stars before he was fourteen.

Dakota

John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops celebrate American Roots music with a powerhouse gathering of today’s most electrifying bluegrass artists. Blazing a trail at the center of it all is Michael Cleveland, one of the most celebrated fiddlers of our time, with his Grammy-winning band Flamekeeper. Joining them are The Steel Wheels, known for their soulful Americana style, and the 2020 International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Sister Sadie, bringing tight vocals, crisp picking and bold bluegrass spirit. From tender ballads to barn-burning breakdowns, experience the raw virtuosity and close-harmony storytelling of bluegrass elevated by the rich, full sound of the Pops.

Flamekeeper

Apr 30 - May 2, 2027

AMERICAN ORIGINALS: Bluegrass Summit

Sep 14, 2024

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Jun 28, 2024

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Flamekeeper