Published in the February 3-16, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
Mark Fenichel
Michael Cleveland
I first met Tim Edes about three years ago in a circle of bluegrass musicians jamming at the Grange Hall in Morgan Hill one Thursday night. Little did I know that Tim was also a music producer and has produced numerous bluegrass shows including more than a dozen locally and many of those at our Morgan Hill Grange Hall for the California Bluegrass Association.
I had the opportunity to go last year to see Adkins & Loudermilk and I was blown away by the level of production, the quality of sound in that antiquated hall and the down-home feel of the entire event. The musicians even came out at the end and met everyone who wanted to meet them, sign CD’s and shook every hand that reached out to them. I must say that was one of my top shows of the year (and I see many) and I had never even heard of these guys before.
This year the upcoming Night At The Grange presented by the California Bluegrass Association will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 27 featuring Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. Michael is the winner of the International Fiddle Player of the Year award for 10 years running. Michael Cleveland is an award-winning blind American bluegrass fiddle player. Cleveland was born in Henryville, Ind. His skill was recognized at an early age, with appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, A Prairie Home Companion and before the United States Congress in his early teens.
Considered one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, he picked up a fiddle at 4, and his talent was recognized early.
In 1993 he was chosen to be part of the Bluegrass Youth All Stars at the IBMA’s award show. Later that year Michael made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a guest of Alison Krauss. His list of guest appearances over the years is a who’s who of bluegrass legends including Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, and J.D. Crowe.
After high school Mike briefly toured with then-named Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek before joining Rhonda Vincent and The Rage in 2000. At the 2001 IBMA awards, Michael took his first Fiddle Player of the Year award, and shared the title of Entertainer of the Year with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
In 2002 he rejoined The Dale Ann Bradley Band. That year he won the Fiddle Player of the Year award and again in 2004. Michael’s first project as a Rounder recording artist, “Flame Keeper,” was released in February 2002 and was chosen the IBMA’s Instrumental Album of the Year.
In 2004, Mike shared the Instrumental Album of the Year award with Tom Adams for “Tom Adams and Michael Cleveland Live at the Ragged Edge,” an album of fiddle and banjo duets.
In September 2006 Mike took home his fourth Fiddle Player of the Year award from the IBMA, and his second solo album on Rounder Records, “Let ‘Er Go, Boys!,” won Instrumental Album of the Year.
A year later, in 2007, Michael won his fifth fiddle player award and has won it every year since, making him the most awarded in that category. Today Michael is a sought-after guest and has performed with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, The Mark Newton Band, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain and The Wildwood Valley Boys. He is also an active studio musician, and his credits include the 2005 GRAMMY-nominated “A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass” and a 2003 GRAMMY winner, Jimmy Sturr’s “Let’s Polka ‘Round.” Michael lives in Charlestown, Ind.
The band also features some of the hottest Bluegrass players in the country including Tyler Griffith on bass and vocals, Joshua Richards on vocals and guitar, and his newest addition to the band Cody Looper on vocals and banjo.
This may very well be one of the biggest Bluegrass shows to hit the South County in 2016 and a “must see” show to bring the entire family to experience. For tickets and more information call Tim Edes at (408) 595-4882.
• • •
On another note: my country band One Country is looking forward to their first appearance in Morgan Hill at the GVA Cafe the evening of Saturday March 19. The band is certainly a good fit for the region we live in.
Got a music tip? Email Mark “Fenny” Fenichel at [email protected]
