mountain heart | BluegrassBios.com

Van Cleve, Jim

JIM VAN CLEVE

Born/raised in Sarasota, Florida. Grew up in Haywood County, North Carolina. Resides in Nashville.
Began playing fiddle at age 7.
As a teenager, played with Ric-o-chet, Lou Reid & Carolina, Rambler’s Choice, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
1998, was a founding member of Mountain Heart with Barry Abernathy, Steve Gulley, Adam Steffey and Johnny Dowdle. He was a member of Mountain Heart for 17 years.
He is also an A-list Nashville session musician. Played on Carrie Underwood’s hit single “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.”
2006, recorded solo project No Apologies (Rural Rhythm). First cut, “Nature of the Beast” nominated for Grammy Award ( for Best Country Instrumental Performance).
2012, contracted Dengue Fever while he was on a Carribean vacation which sidelined him for several months.
2015, left Mountain Heart to tour with country star Josh Turner and to start his own production company.
2018, was a founding member of Appalachian Road Show.

From East Tennessee.
Began his professional career as musical director and performer at Renfro Valley Barn Dance (Renfro Valley, Kentucky).
1995-1998, sang lead vocals with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
1998, formed Mountain Heart with Adam Steffey and Barry Abernathy.
2006, left Mountain Heart to form Grasstowne.
2007, released solo project: Sounds Like Home (Lonesome Day Records).
2010, released a duet album with Blue Highway’s Tim Stafford called Dogwood Winter (Rural Rhythm).
2011, left Grasstowne to join Dale Ann Bradley.
2011, released an album of duets with Tim Stafford: Dogwood Winter (Rural Rhythm).
2014, released solo project: Family Friends & Fellowship (Rural Rhythm).
2013, formed his own band New Pinnacle, named as a tribute to his father’s band The Pinnacle Mountain Boys.
2016, released Aim High album (Rural Rhythm).
2016, received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Music) from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.
2018, joined Phil Leadbetter’s “All Stars of Bluegrass” to record an album of
2018, became the program director for Lincoln Memorial University’s two radio stations.
2019, released High Peaks and New Ground album (Rural Rhythm)
2019, became morning drive DJ for WDVX radio in Knoxville, Tennessee.
2020, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.