Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
“One of modern bluegrass’s most compelling musicians.”
– The New York Times
“It’s wicked to see how much music he pulls out of a bow. He’s untouchable.”
– Vince Gill
The Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival is honoured to present Grammy winner Michael Cleveland, the most decorated fiddler in bluegrass.
Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA’s “Fiddler of the Year” and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddler’s 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. His latest album, The Lovin’ of the Game, is a 2024 Grammy Nominee.
Born blind, and almost deaf, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. The National Endowment for the Arts named him a Heritage Fellow in 2022.
Headed by Michael, his band Flamekeeper includes Nathan Livers (vocals, mandolin), Chris Douglas (bass), Josh Richards (guitar) and Jasiah Shrode (banjo).
This is raw, high-energy bluegrass at its best.
