The world tends to look at accomplishments in the form of accolades and although only in his mid-30’s, Michael Cleveland has plenty to his credit. After picking up the fiddle at age 4, Michael’s musical momentum began to propel him forward towards early success. “When I started taking lessons at age 4,” he remembers, “I told the teacher right up front that I wanted to learn how to play bluegrass and I wanted to play ‘Orange Blossom Special.'” Reluctant as they were, his teachers quickly found a reason to his rhyme, helping him progress to the point when, at age 9, Michael was invited to sit in with the legendary Bill Monroe at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. Soon after, he was hand-picked for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Bluegrass Youth Allstars which led to an invitation by Alison Krauss to bring his virtuosic style to the Grand Ole Opry, all before he was 14 years old. His blistering prowess and technical fluency have since marked him as a sought-after musician, leading to performances with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Tim O’Brien, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Andy Statman, and The Kruger Brothers in recent years. However, it wasn’t until 2006, when Michael formed his own band Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, that he found the right vehicle for his musical vision, and he hasn’t rested since constantly looking for new ways to push himself and his music forward.
“He plays fearless and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he makes you play fearless,” says Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill. “He takes no prisoners but he plays with a restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon.” Clearly, the IBMA agrees as he’s their most awarded Fiddle Player of the Year with 10 wins, has won Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year six times, and fronts their 5-Time Instrumental Group of the Year. Together with Flamekeeper members Josh Richards (guitar), Nathan Livers (mandolin), Jasiah Shrode (banjo) and Tyler Griffith (bass), Cleveland makes his way around the country performing festivals, clubs, and performing arts centers, delighting audiences, leaving them with jaws dropped in complete amazement.“It’s wicked to see how much music he pulls out of a bow,” continues Vince. “He’s untouchable.”
Michael Cleveland was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2018.
My name is Fawn and I “love my life as K. Weaver’s wife” (exactly what is written on my car license plate frame). My husband, Keith, and I were married in 2003 and like fine wine, our relationship just gets better with time. I’ve loved being a wife from the moment I said: “I do.” I’m not a stay-at-home wife. I’m an investor in real estate, the tech sector, and lifestyle brands, currently operating as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) in two of the companies in which I invest. And because my personality style is “driver,” I’ve never quite grasped the concept of “free time,” so I’m also a former business manager-turned hotel general manager-turned USA Today and New York Times bestselling author and TED speaker. I’ve always worked long hours, as does Keith, but we continue to keep the fire lit in our marriage. I absolutely love being married and began wondering how many other wives there are like me. I am a Proud Wife. I am a Happy Wife. But if I actually believed the television shows, magazine articles or books out at the moment, I’d think the term “Happy Wife” is an oxymoron and the enjoyment I’ve experienced throughout these years together is an anomaly. Decades of the media bombarding us with visions of unhappy wives (Stepford Wives, Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of [fill in your town]) and daunting divorce statistics made me think about the rarity of my marriage and the joy I feel as a wife. Then it hit me! I can’t be the only one. There must be others out there who view marriage and spending time with their husband as one of the absolute greatest blessings in their lives. With this thought in mind, I set out on a mission. I believed there were millions of wives all over the world just like me and I was determined to find them and give a voice to this seemingly rare woman conveniently missing from all forms of media and entertainment. Had ‘Happy Wives’ somehow resorted to hiding? Not wanting to seem too enthused about marriage because some of our friends and family members have had or are having challenges in their relationships? Whatever the reason, I longed, I desired, I was challenged to find other women who love being married just as much as me and shine a bright light on the positive side of this beautiful union created to last a lifetime. So, in 2010, I began a journey to prove love and marriage still go hand-in-hand and the ‘Happy Wife’ really does exist. Last year, our community grew to over 1,000,000 happy wives and I can’t help but think, as the song goes, we’ve only just begun.
Until tomorrow…make it a great day!
Trained as a mechanical engineer, Shawn, and in turn, IQS Research, bring precision & scientific rigor to the process of conducting social science research. During his tenure, he has overseen 100’s of projects, ranging from qualitative studies involving select high-value respondents to projects interviewing several thousand respondents, conducted in multiple languages, & across multiple continents. He particularly enjoys managing the quantitative analysis. In this role, he blends his love of research with his ability to coach intelligent analysts, all to support data-driven clients. Shawn has co-authored the book Frequency Matters: Be a Contributor, Not an Employee! to help leaders build amazing company cultures. He is a frequent speaker about the book, engagement, & other topics. He is as comfortable presenting in the boardroom as he is to groups of several hundred professionals. In addition to his role at the co., Shawn has taught Quantitative Research Methods in Bellarmine Univ.’s Masters of Data Analytics program & is a frequent guest lecturer at the Univ. of Louisville & Spalding Univ. Shawn has received several accolades for his work including Business First’s 40 Under 40 Award, the Technology Network’s Entrepreneur Award, & the Medistar Innovation Award. In 2008-2011, Herbig was also recognized as a Business 1st Partner in Healthcare & has overseen projects recognized as national best practices by the Ntnl. Academies of Science, Engineering & Medicine. Shawn’s research on several high-profile projects has withstood the test of courts of law & the court of public opinion.
Before founding IQS Research, Shawn served as the Lead Quality Analyst for the Ford Explorer vehicle line & was regarded as a national expert on automotive warranty analysis.
Inside & outside of work, Shawn is guided by his passion for honest, authentic, data-driven conversations that improve the world around him. Shawns resides in Louisville, has been married for 24 years to his beautiful wife Kathy & has 2 grown step-sons, Shawn & Michael.
Born in 1957 as 1 of 14 children to the late Mel & Norma Meiners, Terry attributes his success to a strong German Catholic work ethic-oriented childhood, which laid the foundation to his now legendary 1985 move to WHAS-Radio. Prior to WHAS, Meiners worked with Ron Clay as the co-host of “The Show With No Name,” a morning drive-time program on Louisville rock station WQMF-FM. These 2 provided edgy humor to Louisville’s airwaves, in fact, WQMF hired Clay & Meiners away from rival station WLRS-FM, where the duo hosted the risque “Morning Sickness” show from 1981 to 1983. At WHAS-Radio, The Terry Meiners Show has aired weekday afternoons since 1985 to present. Meiners is known for broadcasting impersonations of prominent local citizens & satirical interviews of eclectic news figures, comedians, film/TV stars, & politicians. Plus, the lampooning of (U of L) Cardinals fans & of (UK) Wildcats fans is never far away! Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence (yes that one) refers to Meiners as “my 1st celebrity” friend & claims he “still makes me starstruck.” OH MY! Meiners has received numerous awards such as:
Along with television news anchor Rachel Platt, Meiners co-hosts the WHAS Crusade for Children, the long-running annual local telethon benefiting children’s charities, as well as, emcee duties &/or promotional work for Metro United Way, the Homeless Coalition, Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville Metro Police Fdtn., & the Yum! Brands fundraisers for World Food Program. Today, Meiners is a co-host of weekday mornings’ “Great Day Live” (news, knowledge, & nonsense) with WHAS-TV news anchor Rachel Platt.Terry has described his job as interviewing people from all walks of life and let them tell their stories. Funny I can relate to that & we are about to do just that!
Terry has an abundantly happy life as a blended family with 2 sons named Max & Simon Meiners, both morally & ethically strong young men, he proclaims, & stepfather to his beautiful wife Mary George Meiners’ children Aidan & Grace, & if he has nothing else to do, Terry is an avid golfer, marathon runner & private pilot!