Michael Cleveland is a blind American fiddle player who is known as one of the finest fiddlers in the bluegrass genre. On the acoustic music circuit, his outstanding technical ability, sweet and full-bodied sound, and blazing pace have won him numerous awards.
Michael Cleveland’s Age, Bio, Wiki, & Education
Michael Cleveland was born on September 18, 1980, in Henryville, Indiana under the birth sign Virgo.
He is currently 43 years old.
Regarding his educational background, Michael received his education at the Kentucky School for the Blind. Additionally, he currently resides in Charlestown, Indiana.
Parents and Family
His father’s name is John Cleveland who is a truck driver by profession. He was the one who supported Michael from the very beginning and looks after the management of his son’s music career and band. Michael’s step-mom is Elaine and she is supportive of his career since the very beginning.
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Is Michael Cleveland Married? His Wife and Relationship Details
Apart from these, not much has been mentioned about Michael’s personal life. The details regarding his marriage, former girlfriends, wife, as well as current relationship status, have not been revealed to the media platforms.
Illness and Blind
Born visually impaired with a cleft palate, a major ear infection took away 80% of his hearing in one ear. Cleveland on the other hand, never let his visual disability stop him from doing something that he wanted.
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Michael Cleveland’s Net Worth
Michael Cleveland has earned a significant sum from his successful career as a famous musician. However, there are no reliable sources related to his wealth. So, his income from music still remains unknown.
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Professional Career & Achievements
He learned to play fiddle at Suzuki instructional program, and it wasn’t long before his talent became apparent. At the young age of 13, Cleveland joined the IBMA’s Bluegrass Youth All-Stars band upon the invitation from International Bluegrass Music Association(IBMA). After performing at the annual award show of IBMA, Cleveland had a chance to play with Alison Krauss and her band at show.
Cleveland went professional after graduating from high school, releasing a self-released solo album in 1998. Furthermore, Cleveland plays bluegrass in the traditional way but uses the five-string fiddle, which allows him more innovative choices in the music he creates.
IBMA honored Cleveland with the Fiddle Player of the Year Award in 2001 and by 2019 he would go on to win the award 11 times. Cleveland signed with Rounder Records in 2002 and released his solo album Flame Keeper. His solo album won him IBMA’s Experimental Album of the Year.
Cleveland collabed with banjo player Tom Adams for an album Live at the Ragged Edge and the duo won IBMA’s Instrumental Album of the Year in 2005. His third award was for his album Let ‘Er Go, Boys!, which he released in 2006. He formed his own band Flamekeeper which won numerous accolades including three IBMA’s Instrumental Group of the Year.
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In 2018, Cleveland was one of the nominees for Best Bluegrass Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards but could not win the award. But later on, at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, he won the same category for his album Tall fiddler.
In addition to this, a documentary based on Clevelands Life and music career was made which was premiered at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in 2019. People can still watch the documentary on Amazon Prime and Vimeo.
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