Article Contributed by East Public Relations
Published on 2026-03-28
Acclaimed fiddler Michael Cleveland reunites with his award-winning band Flamekeeper for their new single, “Big Daddy Rabbit,” featuring mandolinist Nathan Livers. The release picks up where the group left off following Cleveland’s GRAMMY®-nominated 2023 album Lovin’ Of The Game, capturing the band’s signature chemistry and high-energy precision.
Cleveland, a 12-time IBMA Fiddler of the Year, and Flamekeeper, a 7-time IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year, deliver a lively instrumental driven by Livers’ composition, inspired by a nickname for his father.
“My dad was a tall, dark, and handsome fella with a lot of charm and a very quick wit,” Livers shares. “He never tried to be in the spotlight, but he always kind of ended up there. When I heard the nickname ‘Big Daddy Rabbit,’ I knew it was the perfect name for the tune.”
Bright, playful, and full of dynamic shifts, the track unfolds like a scene—darting between calm and chaos—showcasing the band’s tight musicianship and storytelling through sound.
The single marks another step forward for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper as they continue touring through 2026, alongside Cleveland’s appearances with Jason Carter, Renée Fleming, and Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart project.
“Big Daddy Rabbit” is available now via Get It Played and all streaming platforms. For more information and tour dates, visit MichaelClevelandFiddle.com.
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Michael Cleveland – Fiddle
Nathan Livers – Mandolin
Josh Richards – Guitar
Cody Looper – Banjo
Chris Douglas – Bass
Tour Dates
April 3 – Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
April 10 – Fort Myers, FL – Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
April 12 – Palm Beach, FL – Society of the Four Arts
April 18 – Driftwood, TX – Old Settlers Music Festival
April 24 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest
April 25 – Leesburg, VA – Lucketts Concert Series
April 26 – Floyd, VA – Floyd Country Store
May 9 – Manteo, NC – Bluegrass Island Nights
June 27 – TBA
July 3 – Garrettsville, OH – Grassfire Festival
July 4 – Private Event
July 11 – Muncie, IN – Muncie Three Trails Music Series
August 8 – Henderson, KY – Bluegrass in the Park
August 12 – TBA
August 28 – TBA
August 29 – Ionia, MI – Ionia Freak Fair
Credits:
Producer: Michael Cleveland
Recording & Mixing: Tim Roberts
Mastering: Randy LeRoy (Tonal Park)
Recorded at Yeah, Man! Studio – Charlestown, IN
Label: Yeah, Man! Records
