LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Carnegie Hall is honored to welcome bluegrass powerhouses Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland to its Mainstage on Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m., for an evening that promises to be one of the most exhilarating acoustic performances of the season. Guests are invited to come early for the free Club Carnegie from 6 – 6:45 p.m. in the Board Room located adjacent to the Hamilton Auditorium. A cash bar and snacks are available.
Widely regarded as two of the most decorated fiddlers in International Bluegrass Music Association history, Carter and Cleveland bring to Lewisburg a rare musical partnership defined by extraordinary technique, deep emotional resonance, and a shared devotion to the traditions that shaped them.
Their story begins more than three decades ago, when the two first met as teenagers – young musicians already turning heads with their fire, precision, and unmistakable artistic voices. Over the years, their paths crossed repeatedly on festival stages, in studio sessions, and through collaborations with artists such as Del McCoury. What emerged from those encounters is a twin‑fiddle blend so intuitive and tightly woven that it is often compared to the seamlessness of sibling vocal harmony. Their interplay – equal parts daring improvisation and reverent craftsmanship – has become a hallmark of their sound and a defining force in contemporary bluegrass.
That connection takes center stage in their recent duo project, Carter & Cleveland, which shows the full breadth of their musical chemistry. Audiences can expect a rich tapestry of bluegrass standards, alt‑country gems, and lush twin‑fiddle arrangements, all anchored by Carter’s warm baritone and Cleveland’s virtuosic command. The program reflects not only their technical mastery but also their shared belief in bluegrass as a living, evolving art form – one capable of honoring its roots while embracing new colors, textures, and stories.
With a combined 18 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards and multiple GRAMMY wins and nominations, Carter and Cleveland stand among the most celebrated instrumentalists of their generation. Their partnership has been hailed as a landmark collaboration in modern bluegrass, offering audiences a thrilling, heartfelt celebration of tradition, innovation, and lifelong musical kinship. Carnegie Hall is proud to present these two extraordinary artists in a performance that promises both breathtaking virtuosity and the unmistakable joy of musicians who have spent a lifetime inspiring one another.
To purchase tickets, call Carnegie Hall, visit www.carnegiehallwv.org, or stop by at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Carnegie Hall Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV. For more information, please call 304.645.7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
