Michael Cleveland's New Single Premieres on SiriusXM's "Bluegrass Junction," Out Tomorrow
RENOWNED FIDDLE PLAYER
MICHAEL CLEVELAND
PREMIERES NEW SINGLE
“SUNNY DAYS (ARE COMIN’ ONCE AGAIN)”
TODAY ON SIRIUSXM’S “BLUEGRASS JUNCTION”
Above: “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” Single Artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (October 27, 2022) — Distinguished bluegrass artist and instrumentalist Michael Cleveland is unequivocally nothing short of extraordinary. The 12-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and GRAMMY Award Winner offers an early listen to his new single, “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again),” today on SiriusXM. Out everywhere tomorrow (October 28) via Compass Records, the new single serves as an excellent first course to his forthcoming album expected in 2023 (details TBA).
Overcoming insurmountable odds to become one of the most renowned fiddle players in bluegrass, Cleveland has partnered with SiriusXM to debut the hopeful, high-energy “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” on “Bluegrass Junction with Kyle Cantrell” (channel 62). The track features award-winning writer, instrumentalist and producer Jeff White on lead vocals, Dan Tyminski on harmony vocals and mandolin, Jerry Douglas on dobro, Justin Moses on banjo and Barry Bales on bass.
“I first heard ‘Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)’ in 2020 when we were in the middle of the Covid pandemic and everything was shut down,” shares Cleveland. “The band wasn’t playing and if it hadn’t been for all the great sessions I got to play on from home during that time, I probably would’ve gone out of my mind. I was asked to play on this original song written by Greg Poulos and I instantly liked it — it was such a positive tune about better, sunny, days ahead. I’m so thankful Greg agreed to let me have it, and Jeff White and Dan Tyminski absolutely nailed the vocals!”
“Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” will be available for streaming and downloads on Airplay Direct or from Compass Records HERE, tomorrow, October 28.
Above: Michael Cleveland and Kyle Cantrell at SiriusXM
The world tends to look at accomplishments in the form of accolades and GRAMMY Award-winner Michael Cleveland has plenty to his credit. After picking up the fiddle at four years old, Michael’s musical momentum began to propel him forward towards early success. “When I started taking lessons at age four,” he remembers, “I told the teacher right up front that I wanted to learn how to play bluegrass and I wanted to play ‘Orange Blossom Special.'" Reluctant as they were, his teachers quickly found reason to his rhyme, helping him progress to the point when, at age nine, Michael was invited to sit in with the legendary Bill Monroe at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. Soon after, he brought his virtuosic style to the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Alison Krauss, and was hand picked for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14.
His blistering prowess and technical fluency have since marked him as a sought-after musician, leading to performances with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Tim O’Brien, Andy Statman, and in recent years, Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel and Billy Strings. However, it wasn’t until 2006, when Michael formed his own band Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, that he found the right vehicle for his musical vision, and he hasn’t rested since, constantly looking for new ways to push himself and his music forward.
“He plays fearless and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he makes you play fearless,” says Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill. “He takes no prisoners but he plays with a restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon.” Clearly, the IBMA agrees as he’s their most awarded Fiddle Player of the Year with 12 wins, has won Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year six times, and fronts their 7-Time Instrumental Group of the Year. On top of it all, Cleveland is also a 2018 Inductee to the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, as well as the subject of the feature-length documentary “Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story” (released in 2019), which gives a glimpse into the backstory and everyday-life of the acclaimed musician who has led an otherwise fairly private life. Today, Cleveland continues to make his way around the country performing, delighting audiences and leaving them with jaws dropped in complete amazement. “It’s wicked to see how much music he pulls out of a bow,” continues Vince. “He’s untouchable.”
Above: Michael Cleveland; credit: Amy Richmond