With a friendship forged in the the early '90s bluegrass scene, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland soon discovered they shared a plethora of fiddle influences that shaped their illustrious careers. From late-night jam sessions and unforgettable stage performances, to recording on each others solo projects, the idea of a joint collaboration began taking shape with each passing conversation. 15 years later, the dream has become reality and for fans of these two titans of the fiddle, the wait is finally over.
Carter and Cleveland are thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated debut single. Produced with impeccable craftsmanship and heartfelt sincerity, "Give It Away" sets the stage for Carter and Cleveland's forthcoming album on Fiddle Man Records, which promises to be a landmark release in Americana and Bluegrass music.
Written by esteemed musicians, Tim O'Brien and Matt Combs, "Give It Away" features Carter and the legendary Sam Bush on vocals delivering a powerful message about the profound connection between giving and receiving love. With their masterful fiddle playing at the forefront, Carter and Cleveland deliver a performance that is both soul-stirring and technically brilliant.
Reflecting on the song's significance, Carter shares, "When I first heard this song from Tim and Matt, it resonated deeply with me. It reflects a principle instilled in me by my parents: it's always better to give than receive. Having Sam join me on vocals felt fitting. He has a remarkable ability to light up any room with his presence, and he embodies the spirit of giving and receiving love. It's a joy to share this song with him."
Cleveland adds his perspective, saying, "I first heard 'Give It Away' on a demo Tim sent us and I liked the song immediately. Tim’s version had a great old-time feel to it, but once I heard Jason sing it in the key of B, I knew we had a hard-driving bluegrass song on our hands! The message of the song is something we can all learn from and the groove never stops. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Bryan Sutton, Cory Walker, Alan Bartram, and Sam Bush for bringing this song to life."
Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland's first single, "Give It Away," is now available on Fiddle Man Records to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct or by requesting a direct download. "Give It Away" is also available on popular digital streaming platforms. More music is expected in the coming months with the full album slated for later this year. For information, visit JasonCarterFiddle.com and MichaelClevelandFiddle.com.
About Jason Carter
For over three decades, Jason Carter has been a cornerstone of the bluegrass world, serving as the fiddler for the renowned Del McCoury Band and as co-founder of the Travelin’ McCourys. Throughout his career, Carter's talent has garnered widespread recognition, including three GRAMMY® Awards and six International Bluegrass Music Association Fiddle Player of the Year accolades. Notably, his recording of "Kissimmee Kid" from his album Lowdown Hoedown earned him an Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award. Beyond his work with Del McCoury and the Travelin' McCourys, Carter's fiddling has graced albums by an impressive array of artists including Steve Earle, Ricky Skaggs, Dierks Bentley, and Billy Strings, among others. His contributions to the genre were further immortalized in 2015 when his name was added to The Country Music Highway in Eastern Kentucky, alongside legends like Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, and Chris Stapleton.
About Michael Cleveland
Michael Cleveland began playing professionally after graduating from high school, first with Jeff White, later with Dale Ann Bradley and Rhonda Vincent. In 2006 he formed Flamekeeper, seven-time recipients of the IBMA’s Instrumental Group of the Year award, including Josh Richards, Nathan Livers, Jasiah Shrode, and Chris Douglas. In addition to touring with his band, Cleveland has performed with a legendary list of bluegrass greats: Bela Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, Vince Gill, and more. Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. He is a three-time GRAMMY® nominee and won in 2019 for Best Bluegrass Album for Tall Fiddler. The same year, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. In 2022 he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship.
