Michael Cleveland Releases 12-Track 'Lovin' Of The Game' Today, Arrives on a Wave of Praise

RENOWNED FIDDLE PLAYER
MICHAEL CLEVELAND 
RELEASES FULL-LENGTH ALBUM
LOVIN’ OF THE GAME
VIA COMPASS RECORDS

PROJECT ARRIVES ON A WAVE OF PRAISE 

FEATURING BÉLA FLECK, BILLY STRINGS, CHARLIE STARR, JEFF WHITE, THE TRAVELIN' MCCOURYS AND VINCE GILL, AMONG OTHERS

Above: ‘Lovin’ Of The Game’ Album Artwork

NASHVILLE, TN (March 3, 2023) — Distinguished bluegrass artist and instrumentalist Michael Cleveland is unequivocally nothing short of extraordinary. The 12-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year, GRAMMY Award-winner — and The Bluegrass Situation’s current “Artist of the Month” — has released his 12-track album, Lovin’ Of The Game, today via Compass Records. Stream / Purchase Lovin’ Of The Game here.

EARLY PRAISE FOR LOVIN’ OF THE GAME:

“... one of modern bluegrass’s most compelling musicians… Michael Cleveland’s new album, Lovin’ of The Game, is an ecstatic document of what the fiddle has meant to his story — and what he hopes to mean to its history.”
— Grayson Haver Currin, New York Times, February 28, 2023 

“[‘One Horse Town’] is a driving, healing anthem that coasts overhead like an Appalachian rain cloud, ready and able to wash the land clean of sorrow or regret.”
— Relix, February 16, 2023

“‘Lovin’ of the Game’ will see a departure from the traditional, and an arrival into something else entirely, a genre-spanning display of true musicianship.”
— Alli Patton, American Songwriter, January 19, 2023

“Cleveland has made quite the name for himself as arguably the greatest bluegrass fiddle player for this generation, but with this upcoming album, the fiddler is ready to reach a whole new level.”
—  Brady Cox, Whiskey Riff, January 20, 2023

“Michael Cleveland continues to be a significant part of the resurgent swell we’ve seen in the popularity of bluegrass over the last few years. Both as a solo artist and as a collaborator, he’s brought such authority and passion to the fiddle discipline, it’s infectious with the audience.”
— Kyle Coroneos, Saving Country Music, January 1, 2023

“Michael and the band have added a bluegrass drive to this number [‘The Lovin’ of the Game’]... it’s a smokin’ cut.”
— John Lawless, Bluegrass Today, December 9, 2022

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.” On February 17, Sirius XM’s “Bluegrass Junction”  had the exclusive advance world premiere of the full album. Marking Cleveland’s sixth studio album, Lovin’ Of The Game positively hums with energy across the 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.  

Lovin’ Of The Game arrives following the release of a string of standout singles: “One Horse Town” feat. Charlie Star, “For Your Love” feat. Billy Strings, the title track “The Lovin’ Of The Game,” and the LP’s lead single “Sunny Days (Are Comin’ Once Again).” 

With collaboration serving as the bedrock of the album, Lovin’ Of The Game has Michael Clevelandseizing 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.”

Above: Michael Cleveland; Credit: Amy Richmond

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.” 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.” 

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

ABOUT MICHAEL CLEVELAND:
Michael Cleveland is the most awarded International Bluegrass Music Association Fiddle Player of the Year, with 12 wins to his name. He is also a six-time winner of the IBMA Instrumental Performance of the Year, and his band — Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper — has won Instrumental Group of the Year seven times. In 2019, Cleveland was the subject of the documentary, “Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story,” and his 2019 album Tall Fiddler was awarded the GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album. On top of it all, Cleveland is also a 2018 Inductee to the National Fiddler Hall of Fame. 

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