Flamekeeper is thrilled to announce they are once again nominated for International Bluegrass Music Association awards in multiple categories. The band is the reigning four-time Instrumental Group of the Year and is nominated once again in that category, while Mike is nominated for Fiddle Performer of the Year, a title he has won eight times and currently holds. And the band is nominated for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for “Goin’ Up Dry Branch” from their latest Rounder Records CD ‘Fired Up.’ The awards show will be held September 29 in Nashville, Tennessee, as part of World of Bluegrass, the bluegrass music industry’s trade show and festival. For a list of nominees, awards show tickets and other World of Bluegrass info click here.

Mike and the band are also thrilled to announce that Glenn Gibson has joined Flamekeeper on banjo. Glenn is a superb banjo player, Dobro player, songwriter and singer whom Mike toured with as part of The Dale Ann Bradley Band almost a decade ago. Glenn will make his first appearance with the band next weekend at Pickin’ In The Pasture in Lodi, New York. Mike recently talked with veteran bluegrass blogger Ted Lehmann about Glenn, the new band, and his excitement about the future. To read this exclusive interview, visit Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books, and Brainstorms Blog.