One of the most respected fiddlers in bluegrass, Michael Cleveland's technical skill, sweet, full-bodied tone, and blazing speed have made him a multiple award winner on the acoustic music circuit. Cleveland plays bluegrass in the classic style as created by pioneers like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs, but he puts his stamp on the music by using the five-string fiddle, giving him more creative options within the songs. Cleveland's first widely distributed album, 2002's Flame Keeper, showed off his mastery of the instrument, while 2004's Live at the Ragged Edge (with banjo picker Tom Adams) demonstrated that his stage skills were remarkable even at a casual coffeehouse gig. With 2008's Leavin' Town, he debuted his backing combo Flamekeeper, while solo efforts 2019's Tall Fiddler and 2023's Lovin' of the Game paired him with a raft of impressive guest stars whose talents did not intimidate him in the slightest.