2007, 2008 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year

Darrell Webb joins Flamekeeper

Bluegrass veteran Darrell Webb has joined Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper on guitar and vocals, and will make his debut with the band on the Grand Ole Opry the day after Christmas. Webb replaces Todd Rakestraw. Webb, a native of West Virginia, was most recently guitarist with Rhonda Vincent, and has also been a member of Wildfire, J.D. Crowe and the New South, and The Lonesome River Band. "He is a great talent and we are thrilled to have him in the band!" says bandleader Mike Cleveland. For more on Darrell, see the band page.

Wall Street Journal calls Flamekeeper "most exciting band in bluegrass"

In a review of some of the music honored at this year's International Bluegrass Music Association awards, Barry Mazor wrote that Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper is "the most exciting band in bluegrass." Check out the full article here.

IBMA Awards: Flamekeeper repeats as Instrumental Group of the Year; Mike wins sixth Fiddle Player of the Year

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper won its second consecutive Instrumental Group of the Year award and Michael Cleveland took home his sixth Fiddle Player of the Year award tonight at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show in Nashville. Flamekeeper won the Instrumental Group award last year, and Mike has won the Fiddle Player award six of the past eight years. With six trophies he is second only to Stuart Duncan, who has won the award eight times. The award winners, chosen by the professional members of the IBMA, were announced at an entertainment-filled show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Way to go guys!