Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland announce the release of their first instrumental track, "Bluegrass in the Backwoods," a Kenny Baker classic, from their eagerly awaited new album. Following two standout singles that highlighted Carter's rich baritone vocals, "Bluegrass in the Backwoods" shifts focus to the duo's exceptional instrumental prowess, offering a fresh and dynamic glimpse into their musicianship.
Carter and Cleveland set the bluegrass world on its ear when after 15 years of teasing a collaboration, finally released their first single, "Give It Away," featuring Sam Bush on mandolin and harmony vocal. The sophomore track, "Outrun The Rain" dropped jaws when the duo debuted it on the Grand Ole Opry backed by a cast of top-tier musicians and resulting in a standing ovation. Both songs reached #1 and remain on radio charts across the genre.
With a combined 18 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards, these fiddle phenoms are finally ready to release an instrumental that features their collective musical genius, while simultaneously paying homage to one of bluegrass music's most lauded fiddle players, and a favorite of both Carter and Cleveland.
"Kenny Baker was one of the pioneers of bluegrass fiddling and has been a huge influence on both mine and Michael’s playing styles," says Carter. "I've loved 'Bluegrass in the Backwoods' ever since I first heard it as a teenager."
"It’s a challenging tune to play and I’ve often wondered how it would sound with twin fiddles," adds Cleveland. "One of the highlights for me is the trade-off section where Jason and I get to jam over the third and fourth parts of the tune. Casey Campbell (mandolin), Alan Bartram (bass), Cody Kilby (guitar), and Cory Walker (banjo) absolutely crushed it. I couldn’t be happier with how our arrangement turned out—it's such a blast, with everyone taking blistering solos. It’s hard to play this song without thinking of Kenny Baker, and I often imagine a big jam session in the field at Bean Blossom, with someone like Joe Greene or Bobby Hicks playing harmony."
"Bluegrass In The Backwoods" is now available on Fiddle Man Records to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct or by requesting a direct download here. The song is also available on popular digital streaming platforms here. More music is expected in the coming months with the full album slated for 2025. For information, visit JasonCarterFiddle.com and MichaelClevelandFiddle.com.
