Bluegrass virtuosos Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland have released their first instrumental track, a reimagined version of Kenny Baker’s “Bluegrass in the Backwoods.” The song is the latest preview from their highly anticipated upcoming album and marks a departure from their recent vocal-centric singles, instead showcasing their exceptional fiddle skills.
The duo, renowned in bluegrass circles for their fiddle mastery, teased their collaboration for 15 years before dropping the debut single “Give It Away,” featuring Sam Bush on mandolin and vocals. Their follow-up track, “Outrun the Rain,” premiered at the Grand Ole Opry to a standing ovation and climbed to the top of bluegrass radio charts. Both singles remain favorites among fans and continue to enjoy airplay.
Together, Carter and Cleveland have amassed 18 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year awards. Their latest release pays tribute to Kenny Baker, a celebrated figure in bluegrass fiddling and a significant influence on both musicians.
“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.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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