Interview With Grammy Winning Artist & Virtuoso Fiddler Michael Cleveland

We had the sincere pleasure to sit down with the ultra talented Mike Cleveland. Mike has had a pretty amazing career and story. He’s widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, and if you’re into bluegrass you know him well. He’s been IBMA’s “Fiddler of the Year” over 12 times 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. In 2019, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story from director John Presley. You can find it streaming online and it’s really incredibly inspiring and a must watch.

We had an amazing chat. We spoke about his early days and influences. Attending the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, where he originally learned the Suzuki method of violin, and then how got deep into bluegrass after hearing a local fiddler play the tune Orange Blossom Special. He shared a bit about his attitude to toward practice, leading a band and so much more.

To hire Mike for a session, contact him here