Bluegrass fiddle-fireball, Michael Cleveland and his award winning band “Flamekeeper” will headline the “Bluegrass Fever” concert being held on August 7th at the Blue Ridge Music Center that will kick off the great week of music at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention.
Eight-time winner of the IBMA Fiddler of the Year award, Cleveland has lead Flamekeeper in taking home the IBMA Group of the Year award 4 times. Both his CDs “Flamekeeper” and “Let Er Go Boys” have received the IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year award and the band’s new CD “Fired Up” is getting airplay across the country.
Cleveland has performed with Rhonda Vincent, Dale Ann Bradley, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Melvin Goins and others. The group has a new lineup that Cleveland says he is excited about bringing to Galax. The band now features Charlie Cushman on banjo, Ashby Frank on vocals/mandolin, Charlie Lawson on vocals/guitar and Blake Bowen on vocals/bass.
Kicking off the Bluegrass Fever concert will be hometown favorite, Houston Drive, so-named in memory of banjoist, Houston Caldwell. They’re no slouches in this group either. Houston Drive won the blue ribbon for Best Bluegrass Band at the Old Fiddlers Convention last year and will be stiff competition this year as well with their powerful singing and hot picking.
Tickets for the Sunday August 7th Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper / Houston Drive concert are $20. Children 12 and under are free. The Concert starts at 7pm and seating opens at 5:30pm. Smokehouse BBQ is available at the concert. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
