touring, and continuing to hone his craft as a songwriter. In 1997, he recorded and released his first national album, No Angel Knows for the Rounder-Philo label, which has been his home ever since. In 2000, Cleaves had an Americana charts hit with his album Broke Down and song of the same name. The title track was co-written with his childhood friend Picott, whom he grew up with in Maine. Cleaves continued to gain notice with his follow-up album, 2004's Wishbones, appearing on the ESPN2 show Cold Pizza, and his music is praised by Nicholson Baker in his 2009 novel, The Anthologist. In 2006 Cleaves released Unsung, a collection of songs written by other singer-songwriters including Graham Weber, J. J. Baron, Michael O'Connor (who often tours with Cleaves), Adam Carroll, and Nicole St. Pierre. Dreamer: A Tribute to Kent Finlay, released in early 2016 on Austin-based Eight 30 Records, features Cleaves' version of "Lost," his co-write with Finlay. Highway Prayer: A Tribute to Adam Carroll, released in late 2016 on Austin-based Eight 30 Records, features Cleaves' version of "South of Town." Cleaves tours nationally performing solo and with a band in many configurations. Discography The Promise (1990 cassette) Looks Good From The Road (1991 cassette) The Promise/Looks Good From The Road (1998 CD release, plus three demo cuts, 1989) Life's Other Side (1992 cassette, 1997 CD release) For The Brave And Free (1993 cassette, 2001 CD release, plus six unreleased demos 1993–1995) No Angel Knows (1997) Broke Down (2000) Holiday Sampler 5-track EP (2001) Wishbones (2004) Unsung (2006) Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away (2009) Sorrow & Smoke: Live At The Horseshoe Lounge (2011) Still Fighting the War (2013) "Ghost on the Car Radio" (2017) Other contributions Eklektikos Live (2005) – "Won't Get Fooled Again" Dark River: Songs From the Civil War Era (2011) – "The Streets of Laredo" References External links Slaid Cleaves page at Rounder Records Slaid Cleaves in the Austin Music Database Interview with Paul Johnston, November 2000 American country singer-songwriters American male singer-songwriters Singers from Maine Singer-songwriters from Texas Music of Austin, Texas Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences alumni 1964 births Living people People from South Berwick, Maine Songwriters from Maine People from Bristol, Maine Country musicians from Texas