Here’s a great video of Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper shot during their free concert this past Friday (4/3) at the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY.

It features the guys tearing it up on a version of the Bill Monroe classic, Big Mon. The lighting isn’t fabulous, but the music is just fine.

Flamekeeper is Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Jesse Brock on mandolin, Darrell Webb on guitar, Marshall Wilborn on bass and Jessie Baker on banjo.

This past Friday (12/26) was Darrell Webb’s first show with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper – and it was on The Grand Ole Opry!

Their publicist, Kimberly Williams, was on hand and got a couple of photos of the band, as well as a bit of backstage video. She tells us that the guys whipped the crowd up with their versions of Goodbye Ole Pal and The Old Brown County Barn.

They also had a chance to snap a picture with Opry announcer and bluegrass legend Eddie Stubbs backstage during their post-Christmas Opry visit.

Current band members include Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Jesse Brock on mandolin, Jessie Baker on banjo, Marshall Wilborn on bass and Darrell Webb on guitar.

Here’s Flamekeeper backstage warming up…

Fresh off his recent departure from Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Darrell Webb has picked up and moved on, taking the guitar and lead vocal spot with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.

Darrell has spent many years touring with top level bluegrass bands, including stints with Lonesome River Band, J.D. Crowe & The New South and Wildfire before taking Josh Williams’ place with Rhonda in October of 2007.

He will start with Flamekeeper on December 26 for a show on The Grand Ole Opry, joining founding members Michael Cleveland on fiddle and Jesse Brock on mandolin, with Marshall Wilborn on bass, and second-newest member Jessie Baker on banjo. Jessie joined the band at the end of September, an experienced pro himself while still in his teens.

You can check the Flamekeeper tour schedule online to look for a chance to catch their new lineup when they perform near you.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.  We just got a note from Darrell about his move to Flamekeeper…

“I am really excited about this new gig with Michael. I have picked and jammed with Mike for years and I never dreamed I’d ever get to be in a band with him. He is one the most incredible musicians that I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing music with, a true professional and one of the nicest people I’ve ever been around.

When I heard that he was looking for someone I called him immediately, because I knew he played the same kind of music that I think just suits me to a tee. I knew had to do something real quick because I have a family home to support.

I am so looking forward to a great new beginning as a member of the Flamekeeper band. It consists of some of my favorite musicians and singers that I have ever heard. I am also a big fan of Jessie Brock, Marshall Wilborn, Mike Cleveland, and Jessie Baker.

I know it’s gonna be a blast getting to pick with all the guys in the band.”

Michael Cleveland took home his sixth strait IBMA award for Fiddle Player of the Year, and his band Flamekeeper walked away with their second IBMA win for Instrumental Band of the Year.

An astute observer may have noticed a new face in the crowd as the band took the stage. Jessie Baker joined the band recently on banjo and began touring with the group at the end of September. Originally from Indiana, Baker now lives in Georgetown, KY.

Still in his teens, Jessie has a full resume already. He’s played with Wildfire, The Wildwood Valley Boys, The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show, and his family’s band, The Baker Boys. He has also done fill in dates with many other bluegrass bands.