Michael Cleveland and Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke Deliver "One Horse Town" Today

MICHAEL CLEVELAND 
— RENOWNED FIDDLE PLAYER —
RELEASES 
“ONE HORSE TOWN”
WITH FLAMEKEEPER & CHARLIE STARR

FULL-LENGTH ALBUM
LOVIN’ OF THE GAME
DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Above: ‘Lovin’ Of The Game’ Album Artwork

NASHVILLE, TN (February 17, 2023) — Renowned bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland has teamed up with Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke for today’s release of the smoldering rendition of Blackberry Smoke’s “One Horse Town” (2012). The lonesome and moody track features vocals from Charlie Starr and Cleveland’s longtime Flamekeeper bandmate, Josh Richards, buoyed by the steady instrumental backing of Flamekeeper. 

Stream / Download “One Horse Town” here.
Pre-Order Lovin’ Of The Game here.

The track marks the fourth installment from the 12-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and GRAMMY Award-winner’s forthcoming album — Lovin’ Of The Game — set for release on Friday, March 3 via Compass Records. Listen to the World Premiere of the album exclusively on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction today. 

Yesterday, Relix exclusively unveiled “One Horse Town” remarking that it’s “a driving, healing anthem that coasts overhead like an Appalachian rain cloud, ready and able to wash the land clean of sorrow or regret.”

Cleveland departs from the traditional bluegrass sound and coaxes out the tender melancholy of life in a town too small to sustain itself on his interpretation of “One Horse Town.” Leaning into the weight of responsibility and the pain of hoping for more, Cleveland’s fiddle playing anchors the listener into the listlessness of an arrested life—it could almost drown you. 

“One Horse Town” follows the recent releases of last month’s “For Your Love” feat. Billy Strings, the LP’s lead single “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” in October 2022, along with the title track “The Lovin’ Of The Game” released in December. 

In the “For Your Love” premiere, American Songwriter journalist Alli Patton commented that the new record, “will see a departure from the traditional, and an arrival into something else entirely, a genre-spanning display of true musicianship.” Built upon a rock-solid foundation of bluegrass prowess, Lovin’ Of The Game (produced by Jeff White, Cleveland and Sean Sullivan) showcases the power of fusion, bringing truth to the phrase “greater than the sum of its parts.” Marking Cleveland’s sixth studio album, Lovin’ Of The Game positively hums with energy across the 12 tracks finding appearances from the likes of Béla Fleck, Billy Strings, Charlie Starr, Jeff White, The Travelin’ McCourys and Vince Gill, among other notable talents. 

Above: Michael Cleveland; Credit: Amy Richmond

With collaboration serving as the bedrock of the album, Lovin’ Of The Game has Michael Cleveland seizing his opportunity at this one wonderful life and swings for the rafters. Not beholden to one specific genre or pigeonholed label, it showcases Cleveland’s inclusive musical nature — placing value in the process over the output. It is in this release of control that we find something truly sublime: the sound of artists working together in the act of creation without regard for any preconceived notion of what “should” be. The sound of genuine musicianship. “People know me as a traditional bluegrass fiddle player, which is what I love to do,” says Cleveland, “but this album is more than just the pure tradition. It’s a little bit of a departure for me.” 

Cleveland’s 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 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 Gill. “He’s untouchable.” 

Lovin’ Of The Game will be released via Compass Records on March 3, 2023.

Tracklisting for Lovin’ Of The Game:

“Thousand Dollar Holler”
“Luxury Liner” – feat. The Travelin’ McCourys
“Five Points” – feat. Cody Looper and Ronnie McCoury
“For Your Love” – feat. Billy Strings and Jeff White
“I Wish I Knew Now What I Knew Then” – feat. Vince Gill
“Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again)” – feat. Jeff White and Dan Tyminski
“Contact” – feat. Bela Fleck, Cody Kilby and Barry Bales
“Temperance Reel” – feat. Luke Bulla and Tim O'Brien
“Empty Pocket Blues” – with Flamekeeper, feat. Bryan Sutton
“Now She’s Gone” – with Flamekeeper, feat. Jerry Douglas
“One Horse Town” – with Flamekeeper, feat. Charlie Starr
“The Lovin’ Of The Game” – feat. Flamekeeper

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