Andy Leftwich is back with “Cliffhanger,” a demanding new instrumental that puts both his mandolin and fiddle at the center of another high-wire bluegrass performance.
The Mountain Home Music Company release follows Leftwich’s April album Aced. It also arrives as the multi-instrumentalist heads toward the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards with nominations for Fiddle Player of the Year and Instrumental Recording of the Year.
Leftwich wrote “Cliffhanger” as a technical challenge for himself and the musicians around him.
“‘Cliffhanger’ is one of the more challenging songs I have ever written,” Leftwich said. “It’s very fun to play, but the intricate melody and melodic lines make it tough to maneuver around.”
The title came from the concentration the piece requires.
“It makes me think of the sport of rock climbing and the level of concentration and focus it requires,” Leftwich said. “When you get to the top of the cliff, the view makes it all worth it!”
Andy Leftwich Moves Between Mandolin and Fiddle
“Cliffhanger” opens with Leftwich on mandolin before shifting through variations on the tune’s winding melody.
He then moves to fiddle as the arrangement begins passing the spotlight around the band.
Banjo player Matt Menefee enters first, followed by guitarist Cody Kilby of The Travelin’ McCourys and bassist Byron House.
The four musicians have already developed that instrumental chemistry together. Kilby, Menefee and House also form the core ensemble behind Aced.
On that album, Leftwich uses fiddle and mandolin to move across bluegrass, Celtic, jazz and other acoustic influences.
Meanwhile, “Cliffhanger” keeps returning to Leftwich’s mandolin and fiddle before the musicians converge in tightly arranged unison passages.
“I was thrilled how this song came together, and with the feeling I get when listening back to the finished work!” Leftwich said.
IBMA Nominations Add to Leftwich’s 2026
The new music arrives during a notable awards season for Leftwich.
IBMA has nominated him for Fiddle Player of the Year alongside Michael Cleveland, Jason Carter, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Deanie Richardson.
In addition, Leftwich’s recording of the traditional “Tom & Jerry” is nominated for Instrumental Recording of the Year. Leftwich produced the Mountain Home release himself.
The nominations follow the April release of Aced, an 11-song instrumental album built around Leftwich, Kilby, Menefee and House.
As a result, “Cliffhanger” feels less like a reset than a continuation. Leftwich is still working with the same combination of precision and improvisation.
This time, however, he gave the tune a name that warns the players what they are getting into.
Listen to Andy Leftwich’s “Cliffhanger”.