Michael Cleveland Is Blind, Mostly Deaf and Up Against the Legendary Willie Nelson at the 2024 Grammys (Exclusive)

“I feel very honored that something I’ve done has been recognized by enough people to get a nomination like this,” he says of his nod for best bluegrass album.

This is not the first time that Michael Cleveland has been nominated for a Grammy Award, but it is the first time that he has been nominated in the same category as the legendary Willie Nelson.

“It’s amazing,” Cleveland, 43, tells PEOPLE from his home on three acres in Charlestown, Indiana. “I mean, I never thought something like this would ever happen.”

Indeed, it did, as both found themselves nominated in the star category alongside fellow artists such as Sam Bush, Mighty Poplar, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway.

“I feel very honored that something I’ve done is recognized by enough people to get a nomination like this,” says Cleveland, whose 2023 release is. He loves the game is for best bluegrass album.

Lovin’ of the Game by Michael Cleveland.

Amy Richmond

The renowned bluegrass artist and veteran violin virtuoso was previously recognized in 2019 for his album, High fiddler.

But still, it never gets old.

Certainly, it is a crazy circumstance for a man who was born blind and mostly deaf, and who was only 4 years old when he realized that he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

“I wanted to learn to play bluegrass,” Cleveland remembers.

This announcement did not go down well, as it was made while Cleveland was a new student in the classical program of the Kentucky School for the Blind that sought to teach the ins and outs of the Suzuki violin.

“I didn’t know much about the violin, but I knew a lots of about the fiddle,” laughs Cleveland, who now holds the title of the most decorated fiddler of all time. “I think the first thing I was obsessed with before I even thought about playing violin was the song ‘Rocky Top.’ But then I heard a violinist play ‘Orange Blossom Special’ and after hearing that, I knew yes had learn how to play that a song.”

Michael Cleveland.

Amy Richmond

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As Cleveland looks back now, he recognizes that his classical education at the Kentucky School for the Blind was very important in his musical journey to becoming one of the most interesting musicians in modern bluegrass.

But it’s more important than that.

“When I play music, things get better,” Cleveland says quietly. “I always go to a better place when I play music and I think it should be music. You must feel. Obviously, everyone wants to play perfectly and play as well as they can play and hit every note right, but really, my favorite musicians are the ones that make you feel something.”

Michael Cleveland.

Amy Richmond

Importance feeling the music he plays in is especially important to Cleveland who has endured so much in his life thus far, including multiple surgeries, serious illnesses and his parents’ divorce.

“No matter what happens, there’s always music to listen to,” says Cleveland, who is now the International Bluegrass Music Association’s most awarded “Fiddler of the Year” with 12 wins. “If I have a problem, music is what I dive into and it helps. It doesn’t fix everything, but it certainly helps.”

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Michael Cleveland.

Amy Richmond

It’s a message he shares with anyone who will listen, and it’s a message that could become an important part of Cleveland’s legacy.

But really, it was always about the music.

“Anytime you hear a kid try to play one of your songs or songs or whatever, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Cleveland exclaims. “If there’s something I come up with that someone thinks enough about to try to learn or steal, I like to say all the time, and it’s true.” He laughs. I’m not copyrighted, because I owe a lot of money to a lot of people.”

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Source: HIS Education