Jim VanCleve is a top-shelf musician in THE band that is taking the acoustic scene by storm, MOUNTAIN HEART. In addition to the extensive traveling he does, he is also a full time session musician, and record producer in Nashville, TN. WWW.JIMVANCLEVE.COM
The last couple of years have been a whirlwind of success for Jim's career.
His debut solo project, "NO APOLOGIES" was nominated for a GRAMMY in the "Best Country Instrumental" Category in 2007. The project was also nominated at the International Bluegrass Music Awards for "Instrumental Album of the Year" that same year. The project had an impressive total of three charting singles and was ultimately awarded Album of the Year honors in the Folk Music Category at the Indie Music Awards.
In addition to all this, the lead-off single from the album, "Let the Big Dog Eat", (a scorching bluegrass tune sung by multi-platinum selling songwriter and bluegrass icon, Ronnie Bowman) held the No. 1 spot for three months.
"NO APOLOGIES" was included in top ten lists for these major Publications: WALL STREET JOURNAL, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, CMT, WASHINGTON TIMES, USA TODAY. Upon it's release, "No Apologies" immediately placed in the top ten in the BillBoard Sales Chart for that week, and remained there in the charts each week for over two months following. All this for a debut solo release!
As a solo artist, it is safe to say, Jim has started off on the right foot!! However, this is but one side of coin.
As a session musician working on an ever-increasing number of albums each year, Jim has built a very impressive resume. All in the last three years, he has been featured on Carrie Underwood's No. 1 hit single, "Don't Forget to Remember Me", from the Multi-Platinum "Some Hearts" recording, featured as part of his band, Mountain Heart, on the recording, "Strumming with the Devil" (with David Lee Roth of Van Halen), and was prominently featured on the "Best Country Album" Grammy Award Winning, "Livin',Lovin', Losin': A Tribute to the Louvin Brothers". As a session musician, these are but a few projects he's been asked to take part in recently.
Jim also was recruited to write and record a new Awards Show Theme Song by the International Bluegrass Music Association (an honor previously held by the great Jerry Douglas, and the incomparable Mark O'Connor before him). The new theme song, "Road From Rosine" was debuted at the 2007 IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Jim was also recently asked to write an instrumental track for a studio project by Sierra Hull, the young mandolin and vocal prodigy you might have seen on television, either sitting in with Alison Krauss, or as an actress in the new Billy Graham movie. Ron Block (of Alison Krauss and Union Station), and Sierra produced her debut solo project and commissioned Jim to write the song, which eventually was entitled SMASHVILLE. Sierra's album, Secrets, is now available on Rounder Records. Check it out!
Last year, Jim was a featured special guest performer on the ACM Awards Show, live from Las Vegas with country superstar, Sara Evans. The song they performed was called "Coalmine", which spent several weeks in the Billboard top ten.
Jim has also become, since the release of his solo project, an in-demand record producer. Recent projects he has produced include the following:
Jim VanCleve- No Apologies
Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain- Self titled
Mountain Heart- Road That Never Ends
Mashville Brigade- Smash Hits of Bluegrass, Vol. 1
Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain- CHHR2
Pickin' On: Taylor Swift (select tracks)
Broken Wire- Demo Tracks to be released
Newfound Road- Same Old Place
In addition to all this, an abbreviated list of some of the artists he has recorded and/or performed with includes. Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Skip Ewing, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley, Emmy Lou Harris, Joe Nichols, John Cowan, Ronnie Bowman, Linda Ronstadt, Bryan Sutton, Stuart Duncan, Rodney Crowell, Sonya Isaacs, Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, Ricky Skaggs, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Glen Cambell, Sam Bush, Chris Thile, Tim O'Brien, Doc Watson, Del McCoury Band, Blue Highway, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Patty Loveless, Terri Clark, Ronnie Dunn, Rhonda Vincent, and Nickel Creek.
Check out Jim's website for more information on the album, "No Apologies". It's a ground breaking next step for Jim, and for Acoustic Music in general! Also, there's plenty of info there about Jim and some other interesting stuff, such as photos from the road and studio, and upcoming shows that he'll be involved with!
Also, please be sure and check out your local Wal Mart, Borders, FYE, Tower, Best Buy, and any other fine music outlets for "No Apologies". If you don't see it, please REQUEST IT!!
You can purchase "NO APOLOGIES" directly from www.jimvancleve.com.
WWW.JIMVANCLEVE.COM
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