Slaid Cleaves

SOLD OUT!

Born on June 9, 1964, in Berwick, Maine, Slaid Cleaves grew up amid dairy farms, abandoned sawmills and the ever-encroaching suburban strip malls. The first of four kids, Cleaves was picking though the family record collection at the age of three, beginning a lifelong fascination with the music of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, The Everly Brothers and Woody Guthrie.

He began his career as a "busker," singing on the streets of Cork, Ireland, while attending college there in 1985. Returning to the U.S., he formed the roots-rocking Moxie Men in 1989, playing extensively throughout New England and winning a semifinalist slot in Musician Magazine's best unsigned band contest.

Having outgrown the small but vital music scene in Portland, Maine, he moved to Austin, Texas in 1991. There, he rose swiftly through the ranks of the local singer-songwriter scene, winning the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk competition in 1992.  By 1996, he had signed to Rounder Records and in 1997 released No Angel Knows, which attracted widespread critical acclaim.

Many nights logged in folk clubs as both performer and sound man followed before Broke Down was released in 2000.  Broke Down expanded Cleaves’ audience exponentially by virtue of its exceedingly well crafted songs and rugged Gurf Morlix production.  The title track won Song of the Year at the Austin Music Awards.

Wishbones, a richly detailed exploration of life’s darker corners where still a ray of hope somehow shines, was released in 2004.  Wishbones climbed to the top of the Americana Radio chart coming in at #1 for 2004.

It was after Wishbones that Cleaves began to consider the endeavor that became Unsung.  “Over the years,” Cleaves explains, “as I grew as a songwriter, my songs began to make up the bulk of my sets.  But I continued to throw in the odd song by a hero or friend, both in my shows and in the records I made.  I did that partly out of tribute to my influences, but also to give my set, or album, some context and some variety.”  Wishbones features songs from the songwriter trenches -- songs Cleaves first heard at late-night song-swaps, open-mic nights and during downtime at recording sessions.  “I was looking for songs that worked, that fit my style of playing and singing.” Cleaves says.  Perhaps the best compliment that can be paid to Unsung is that it matches the high standard set by Cleaves’ albums of his own material, and that he simply makes the songs his own. 

“Slaid Cleaves is one of my personal favorites,” says Winter Wind Committee member Mark McClellan.  “Great songs, great voice, and a great live concert experience.”  Cleaves writes songs that capture the essential struggle in all of us in a way that no one else has really done before.  This will be yet another Winter Wind Concert not to be missed.

For additional information on Slaid Cleaves, visit www.slaid.com.  For additional information on Winter Wind and other Performing Arts Studio programs, visit the Performing Arts Studio or phone 405-307-9320.  Office hours in the Norman Depot are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Tuesday through Friday and 1:00 to 5:00 most Sundays.

Winter Wind Concerts are made possible in part by grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional funding comes from sponsors Tom McAuliffe of Don Cies Real Estate, Mark and Teresa Marsee of Avanti Skin Care, Therapy in Motion, and Nancy McClellan. Skye Diers of Gingerbread Nursery School, Becky Grider and Danna Primm also provide financial support.  Residence Inn by Marriott and Cafe Plaid provide in-kind services.