Carter & Cleveland: A Bluegrass Fiddling Summit Forged in Decades of Friendship
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The bluegrass world is witnessing a landmark collaboration with the release of Carter & Cleveland, a long-awaited album by two of the genre’s most revered fiddlers, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland. Released through Fiddle Man Records, this album is a testament to their 30-year friendship and shared musical journey, a culmination of countless collaborations and mutual admiration.
A Friendship Forged in Fiddle Fire
Carter and Cleveland’s musical bond began in their teenage years, with Cleveland at 13 and Carter at 19. Even then, they recognized a kindred spirit in each other’s playing, a blend of skill, musicality, reverence for tradition, and a unique fiddle fire.
“When I first heard Michael, I was blown away,” Carter recalls. “He sounded as good as anyone out there, even back then.”
Their paths continued to cross at festivals, co-bills, and conferences, leading to impromptu collaborations with artists like Del McCoury. Despite limited rehearsal time, their musical connection was undeniable, a seamless blend that felt “magical and telepathic.”
“Twin fiddle is like really good vocal harmony when it’s right,” Cleveland explains. “When it’s super tight and together, there’s nothing else like it. It’s like our own brother duet.”
Carter & Cleveland is a showcase of this “brotherly fiddle synergy,” featuring their effortless blend across 11 tracks that span bluegrass, fiddle tune standards, alt-country, and rich harmonies.
A Star-Studded Collaboration
The album boasts an all-star lineup of collaborators, including Vince Gill, Jaelee Roberts, Darrell Scott, Charlie Worsham, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Jeff White, and more. Backing them are session greats like Cody Kilby, Bryan Sutton, Alan Bartram, Harry Clark, Casey Campbell, Cory Walker, Dominick Leslie, David Grier, Justin Moses, and Jordan Perlson.
Carter’s honeyed baritone vocals anchor several tracks, including the chart-topping single “Give It Away,” written by Tim O’Brien and Matt Combs. The song’s debut at the Grand Ole Opry earned two standing ovations and inspired an exclusive mini-documentary.
Another standout track, “Outrun the Rain,” penned by Terry Herd and Jimmy Yeary, features guest vocals by Vince Gill and Jaelee Roberts and also reached the number one spot on the bluegrass charts.
Instrumental classics like “Kern County Breakdown,” “Bluegrass in the Backwoods,” and “Stoney Lonesome” highlight the duo’s masterful fiddling. The new focus track, “In the Middle of Middle Tennessee,” written by Darrell Scott and featuring Charlie Worsham, is an alt-country banger driven by their signature bluegrass prowess.
A Testament to Mastery
Cleveland describes the project as a personal milestone, stating, “I’ve always admired Jason’s playing, and creating this album together is a dream come true.” Carter echoes the sentiment, saying, “Michael’s been an inspiration since I first met him. Fans will definitely feel the magic we’ve poured into this album.”
Carter & Cleveland is poised to become a classic, a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the unparalleled artistry of two bluegrass legends.
Carter & Cleveland Track List:
- Give It Away featuring Sam Bush
- Kern County Breakdown
- With A Vamp In The Middle featuring Darrell Scott
- Runnin’ Late featuring Jerry Douglas
- Dreams featuring The Del McCoury Band
- Outrun The Rain featuring Vince Gill and Jaelee Roberts
- Stoney Lonesome featuring The Del McCoury Band
- Middle of Middle Tennessee featuring Charlie Worsham
- Arapahoe
- Fiddler Jones featuring Jeff White
- Bluegrass In The Backwoods
About Jason Carter:
Jason Carter, a pillar of the bluegrass world for over three decades, is renowned for his work with the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys. His accolades include three GRAMMY® Awards and six International Bluegrass Music Association Fiddle Player of the Year awards.
About Michael Cleveland:
Michael Cleveland, widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, has received 12 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards and was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame in 2018. He is a three-time GRAMMY® nominee and 2019 winner for Best Bluegrass Album. In 2022, he received the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship.