New BA Board & Members elected 2/1/2020
Fiddle-dee-dee and Yahooee, B.A. has a new board that is ready to move forward with all things bluegrass. Congratulations to our newest President, Micky Nelson; Vice-Pres, Laurance Levine; Secretary, Marshall Shelor; and, Treasurer, Sonya Robles Cotton. Also on the board are Dave Howard, Rebecca Minnick and Jan Nelson. Robin Thixton and Paula Halfacre will stay involved as Board Members at Large.
B.A. will move toward a "donation only" organization, without membership dues for now. It will continue to provide information and opportunities for pickin' and grinnin'. Its goal is to host at least two jamming events, open to all. Those will be held in late Spring and the fall. Want to advertise your bluegrass event? Contact BA and for a nominal donation we will post your flyers/banners on our website and on Facebook. Do you want to include your band in the "Band" section of BA's website. For a minimal donation we will include your band in that listing.
Do you enjoy writing? Submit an article to the board for consideration to add to the BA website and Facebook. We value your input and look forward to seeing you all down the bluegrass road. Pick! Grin! and be merry.
Jump to our Board page for more info! https://bluegrassanonymous.org/ba-board-%26-history
Michael Cleveland Celebrates Big Weekend
Grammy Award and Musician of the Year
The following has been shared by East Public Relations:
Fiddler Honored by National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and Louisville Federation of Musicians
Michael Cleveland celebrated a very big weekend with two career milestone achievements. The two-time nominee was awarded his first GRAMMY® by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and the Louisville (KY) Federation of Musicians recognized Cleveland as their 2020 Musician of the Year.
Cleveland’s latest Compass Records release, Tall Fiddler, won in the Best Bluegrass Album category in a GRAMMY® Premier Awards show that was live-streamed from Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, January 26th. Cleveland, who was in attendance, graciously accepted the award and thanked each of the world-class musicians and singers who contributed to the project, including members of his band, Flamekeeper, who are featured on six cuts. Tall Fiddler was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, co-produced by Cleveland, Jeff White and Sean Sullivan, and showcased Cleveland’s virtuosic talents alongside special guests Tommy Emmanuel, Dan Tyminski, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, The Travelin’ McCourys, Barry Bales, Guthrie Trapp, Cody Looper, and Larry Atamanuik.
Closer to home, the Louisville Federation of Musicians awarded their highest honor of Musician of the Year to Michael during their annual ceremony. Due to the GRAMMY® Awards appearance, Cleveland was notified in advance and visited the organization for which he has been part of most of his professional career. As a young musician, Cleveland began playing venues in the Louisville area and has become a regular in the thriving music scene not only as a bluegrass musician, but also making guest appearances within other genres of music, including two performances with the Louisville Orchestra.
These two career accolades come on the heels of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper winning the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) sixth Instrumental Group and Cleveland’s 12th Fiddle Player of the Year awards. In early 2019, Flamekeeper – The Michael Cleveland Story, a feature length documentary produced by John Presley and Cortland Ingram, enjoyed a star-studded film premier at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, and is available for streaming and purchase on Amazon.com.
For more on Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, visit www.FlamekeeperBand.com.
Louisville Federation of Musicians-Musician of the Year
Closer to home, the Louisville Federation of Musicians awarded their highest honor of Musician of the Year to Michael during their annual ceremony. Due to the GRAMMY® Awards appearance, Cleveland was notified in advance and visited the organization for which he has been part of most of his professional career. As a young musician, Cleveland began playing venues in the Louisville area and has become a regular in the thriving music scene not only as a bluegrass musician, but also making guest appearances within other genres of music, including two performances with the Louisville Orchestra.
Best Bluegrass Album Grammy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Michael Cleveland of ‘Tall Fiddler’ poses for a portrait during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robby Klein/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) .
Bluegrass Anonymous Needs You!
Bluegrass Music creates wonderful community that crosses all kinds of boundaries. These musical ties do wonders for us--now it's time to give something back! Bluegrass Anonymous is seeking board members. We meet (approximately) bi-monthly to plan events, help promote bluegrass in Greater Louisville, and, if we have time, to pick! Are you always introducing yourself to people? Maybe you're very organized, or good with numbers, or know how to throw the best picking parties. There's a role for everyone--and we need you! It's a fun way to help make sure bluegrass continues to thrive in Greater Louisville, and to meet new folks who love bluegrass. For more information, please contact any board member, Rebecca Minnick, Dave Howard, Sonya Cotton, or Micky Schickel Nelson, Laurance Levine, Marshall Shelor, Jan Nelson, Robin Thixton, and Paula Halfacre. We will be happy to answer any questions, and welcome your participation.
Our Mission
Bluegrass Anonymous, Louisville’s Bluegrass Music Association, is dedicated to promoting and supporting bluegrass music, preserving its tradition, and nurturing its growth by providing inclusive opportunities for pickin’, singin’, and listenin’.
So Welcome!
There's lots to see here. So, take your time, look around. We hope you'll enjoy our site, and take a moment to drop us a line. Looking for great local and regional festivals? Check our Festivals page for the latest Regional Bluegrass fun. Looking for a jam? Check our Events Calendar for a list for repeating area open jams! Want to book a band? Visit our Artists page, and lots more. We're glad you're here.
