Foothills Pops: American Roots at P.E. Monroe Auditorium

Celebrate the rich musical traditions of America in a program that spans the concert hall and the front porch. Featuring Grammy Award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper, American Roots honors the deep musical heritage of Appalachia and the people who have shaped the sound of our region. Blending the infectious energy of bluegrass and Americana with the power of a symphony orchestra, this unforgettable concert celebrates the artistry, culture, and spirit of North Carolina and our nation.

PROGRAM

• STILL • Festive Overture
• IVES • Variations on “America”
• O’CONNOR • Queen Anne’s Revenge
• COPLAND • Appalachian Spring
• VARIOUS SELECTIONS • Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper

FEATURED ARTISTS

Widely regarded as one of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Michael Cleveland has captivated audiences with his extraordinary musicianship, improvisational brilliance, and deep connection to the traditions of bluegrass music. A native of southern Indiana, Cleveland began playing fiddle at age four and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent, performing with bluegrass legends from a young age and launching a professional career shortly after graduating high school.

In 2006, Cleveland formed his band Flamekeeper, a seven-time recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Instrumental Group of the Year award. A 12-time IBMA Fiddler of the Year, Grammy Award winner, National Fiddler Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship, Cleveland continues to inspire audiences worldwide while remaining deeply rooted in the bluegrass traditions that shaped his remarkable career.