News

Happy New Year!

Just a note to wish you all a happy and healthy 2012, from all of us here at Flamkeeeper. We've got some great shows lined up this year, including a return to the Joe Val near festival near Boston next month, a trip to Switzerland in March, and Bean Blossom this summer. So if you can make it out to a show, we'd love to meet you!

Champagne and bluegrass!

For those of you in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, don't miss Mike Bub's New Year's Eve tonight at The Station Inn with Mike Bub, Dan Tyminski, Jeff White, Michael Cleveland, Billy Thomas, Jimmy Stewart, and Charlie Cushman. Starts at 9 pm, costs $25 per person, and includes a champagne toast at midnight. For info visit The Station Inn website.

Take fiddle lessons from Mike in the Louisville area

Jeff Guernsey's Conservatory of Music is proud to announce that Michael Cleveland has joined the staff for 2012 offering master classes to intermediate and advanced fiddle students. Classes will take place on Tuesdays throughout 2012. The Conservatory of Music is located at 1120 Spring Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana. To schedule lessons, call the conservatory at 812-284-4428. For more information on Jeff Guernsey's Conservatory of Music, please visit Jeff's Facebook page.

Michael Cleveland Featured in Verge Magazine

Mike was recently interviewed for Georgia-based Verge Magazine's December issue. To read the interview online visit the magazine's website.

Mike takes ninth IBMA fiddle award
"Goin' Up Dry Branch" named best instrumental

We're thrilled to announce that Mike Cleveland won a record-tying ninth Fiddle Performer of the Year award last night as the International Bluegrass Music Association handed out its annual awards for the 22nd time. The awards, hosted by mandolin legend Sam Bush, were presented at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. And that wasn't the only good news: "Goin' Up Dry Branch," from Flamekeeper's latest Rounder CD 'Fired Up,' won the award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year. "Jerusalem Ridge," from the band's previous CD, 'Leavin' Town,' won the same award in 2009. With last night's fiddle award Mike ties Stuart Duncan, who also has nine. Mike and the band would like to thank the IBMA, Rounder Records, D'Addario Strings, First Quality Music, and especially bluegrass fans everywhere. Thanks, folks!

MCF garners three IBMA nominations
Glenn Gibson joins the band

Flamekeeper is thrilled to announce they are once again nominated for International Bluegrass Music Association awards in multiple categories. The band is the reigning four-time Instrumental Group of the Year and is nominated once again in that category, while Mike is nominated for Fiddle Performer of the Year, a title he has won eight times and currently holds. And the band is nominated for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for "Goin' Up Dry Branch" from their latest Rounder Records CD 'Fired Up.' The awards show will be held September 29 in Nashville, Tennessee, as part of World of Bluegrass, the bluegrass music industry's trade show and festival. For a list of nominees, awards show tickets and other World of Bluegrass info click here. Mike and the band are also thrilled to announce that Glenn Gibson has joined Flamekeeper on banjo. Glenn is a superb banjo player, Dobro player, songwriter and singer whom Mike toured with as part of The Dale Ann Bradley Band almost a decade ago. Glenn will make his first appearance with the band next weekend at Pickin' In The Pasture in Lodi, New York.