wˌaɪl stˈɪl ɪn hˈaɪ skˈuːl, vˈæn klˈiːv bɪkˌeɪm ɐ mˈɛmbɚɹ ʌv ɹˈɪkˈoʊtʃˈɛt ænd lˈuː ɹˈiːd ænd kˌæɹəlˈaɪnə, pɹˈɑːmɪnənt bˈændz ɪnðə nˈæʃənəl blˈuːɡɹæs sˈiːn æt ðə tˈaɪm.
While still in high school, Van Cleve became a member of Ric-o-chet and Lou Reid and Carolina, prominent bands in the national bluegrass scene at the time.