ONE of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation is heading to The Brindley in September.

Multi award-winning musician Michael Cleveland is bringing his band Flamekeeper to the Runcorn venue as a prelude to the centre’s first bluegrass festival in October.

Prodigious talent Cleveland first picked up the fiddle when he was four and has scooped a total of nine awards.

These include five Fiddle Player Of The Year awards presented by the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville.

A spokesman for The Brindley said: “Mike and his talented band present a programme of tight vocal trios and duos, blistering instrumentals and fiddle and banjo duets that echo the first-generation stars of bluegrass.

“The show is rounded out with Mike’s dry wit and the band’s sense of fun.”

Bluegrass is a sub-genre of American country music and has gained a loyal following outside the States in recent years. It has its own roots in Irish, Scottish and English traditional music and also draws influences from jazz and blues.

The gig is at The Brindley on September 8, at 8pm. Prices are £12, with £10 concessions and £5 children. For more information visit www.brindley.org.uk or call 0151-907 8360.