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John Cruz
Acoustic / Alternative / Hawaiian

One of These Days wins Contemporary Album of Year!



Honolulu, Hawaii
United States

Profile Views:  114624




Last Login:  11/19/2009
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   John Cruz: General Info
Member Since10/15/2006
Band Websitewww.johncruz.com
Sounds Like
Record LabelLilikoi
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 27 2009 7:30P
Paddlers Inn Kaunakakai, Hawaii
Dec 1 2009 7:30P
Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber Honolulu, Hawaii
Dec 4 2009 7:30P
Maui Arts and Cultural Center Kahului, Hawaii
Dec 5 2009 1:00P
Lokahi Tree Giving Project at Ala Moana’s Centerstage Honolulu, Hawaii
Jan 24 2010 2:00P
Southern California Slack Key Festival Redondo Beach, California

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   About John Cruz
From the time he was a young boy growing up in Palolo Valley on Oahu, John Cruz knew he was destined to play music. Whether inside or outside the home, his earliest memories were filled with song. His Hawaiian grandmother had a beautiful voice and sang in church. His mom loved the Motown sound and had an extensive record collection. His dad played country music and taught John to perform live shows at a very young age. His brothers and sisters were all musically inclined and, along with numerous aunties, uncles, cousins, neighbors and friends, they have surrounded John with the gift of music for his entire life. Although John grew up in Hawaii, it wasn't until he moved to the East Coast in 1983 that he developed his own style as a singer songwriter. During his 12 years in the Northeast, John cut his musical teeth in subways, coffeehouses and bars in New York's Greenwich Village, as well as in the clubs and local haunts from Martha's Vineyard to the Boston area. While attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, John ventured in to acting and dancing, which strengthened his command of the stage. He spent six years in theatre and dance companies, performing everywhere from Lincoln Center to Washington D.C. As a member of the prestigious New World Theater, John played the lead role in "The Dance and the Railroad," by Tony Award winning Broadway playwright, David Henry Hwang, of M. Butterfly fame. John's outstanding performance was nationally recognized in the finals of a collegiate drama competition. John returned to Hawaii in 1995 to help his brother Ernie record his album. At the time, Ernie was in the immensely popular band, the Ka'au Crater Boys. He invited John to play bass with them and to play his own songs during their shows. The exposure to large crowds gave John's music a substantial fan base before it was even recorded. When his first album, Acoustic Soul was released in 1996, it made an artistic and commercial impact like few other recordings in Hawaiian musical history. Acoustic Soul to date has sold about 100,000 copies in Hawaii alone. John produced the album himself and released it on his own label, Lilikoi Records. It spawned the radio hits "Shine On," "Sitting in Limbo" and "Island Style," which has become a local anthem. Most songs from the album still receive daily radio airplay and can be heard on numerous compilation CDs, in hotels, airports, shopping malls, school music classes, commercials and just about everywhere else music is played within the state. Acoustic Soul won two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 1997 -- one for Contemporary Album of the Year and one for Most Promising Artist. In 2005, John added the Grammy Award to his list of honors. His original song "Jo Bo's Night" was featured on the compilation CD Slack Key Guitar Volume 2, which won the first Grammy ever awarded for Hawaiian music. Over the years, John has attracted some stellar fans. Stars like Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, Lisa Loeb, Trey Anastasio and others, have shown their support in various ways. John co-wrote a song with Trey called "A Case of Ice and Snow," which was released on the Phish frontman's solo CD, Bar 17. World Champion surfer Kelly Slater featured three of John's songs on his DVD, "Letting Go," in 2006. Jack Johnson has released "Island Style" on several CDs and plays it frequently in concert. John joined Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, along with other quality singer songwriters, on the WMVY radio compilation CD, Fresh Produce Volume 4, with his hit song "Missing You." In October 2006, a documentary film on his life, "Made of Music - The Story of John Cruz," debuted at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival in Honolulu. A few weeks later, it was honored with the Aloha Visionary Filmmaker Award at the Molokai Film Festival. It features John's signature candor and wit, as well as a personal story that tugs at the heartstrings, and music that will delight and inspire. Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, Kelly Slater and Jake Shimabukuro add color and insight to an already powerful story. John is the official spokesman for Sprint Hawaii's Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates free ukuleles to school music programs in need. He visits classrooms and gives surprise performances to inspire kids to achieve and believe in themselves. John's recent touring has included stops at the massive Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Summerstage in New York's Central Park, Carnegie Hall and prominent national venues up and down both coasts. He headlined four galas during Barack Obama's inauguration and played 14 shows at the prestigious SXSW (South by Southwest) music festival in Austin, Texas in March 2009, as one of the first Hawaiians ever invited to showcase there. John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented artists that has ever come from Hawaii and was named the Best Singer Songwriter by Hawaii Magazine in 2008. After a classic hit first album, this well-earned reputation became even more solidified when he released his long-awaited second album, One of These Days in 2007. After its debut week, the album landed firmly at 1 in Hawaii, 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart for the Pacific Region and 6 on the Billboard World Chart. Critics described it as "brilliant" and "one of the year's finest albums, local or otherwise." The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts gave the CD its highest honor in 2008, by awarding John the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year. It delivers more of the warm, heartfelt melodies and passionate, soulful vocals that John's fans have grown to know and love.

   John Cruz's Friend Space (Top 33)
John Cruz has 2309 friends.
 Nir Z 


 Kelli Heath 


 Tiffa Garza 


 Connie 


 BRAN APELES "Miss You Mom" 


 Seann 


 Mike White 


 Dr. Trey 


 Guy Cruz 


 Ernie Cruz Sr. 


 Ernie Cruz Jr. 


 FIJI 


 JACO PASTORIUS 


 Dayna Kurtz 


 NATURAL VIBRATIONS 


 Hearios 


 Anuhea 


 WAYNE 


 The Girlas 


 KANOA OF GOMEGA'S 


 King Kekai 


 Scott "Bear"; Williams 


 MAKANA 


 Mana Maoli: Country Road (Jack Johnson/Paula Fuga) 


 Yuval Lion 


 Benny Rietveld 


 Waste King 


 my name: Kwai-Chang 


 Rob Holzer 


 (V.Brown) 808Talk Hawaii 


 Rob Yamanoha 


 Inner Session 


 KUPA'AINA 





John Cruz's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 771 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT

VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT



Nov 24 2009 7:52 PM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over welcome
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS

MESSAGE ME 1ST & LAST NAMES FOR FREE FREE FREE GUEST LIST ON SATURDAYS ONLY
PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS





Black Suede

Black Suede



Nov 22 2009 5:58 PM

What's up?,

Black Suede has just recently released a New song titled "Revenue Stream."
We know you have great taste in music. Drop through and let us know what think about it.
Your Opinion Means a lot!

Thanks much,

Suede MGMT
Stan Le Chinois

Stan Le Chinois



Nov 19 2009 5:43 PM

Hi John

New : Stan LeChinois On LAST.FM

Listen ALL the songs for Free

Clic below:

 

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Nov 18 2009 6:38 PM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over welcome
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS

MESSAGE ME 1ST & LAST NAMES FOR FREE FREE FREE GUEST LIST ON SATURDAYS ONLY
PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS



NOV 20, 2009


NOV 27, 2009
Sara

Sara Robz



Nov 16 2009 12:15 AM

LUV your style!

Stratus Blue

Stratus Blue
Online Now!


Nov 12 2009 5:43 AM

Sorry I haven't been in touch recently.  Now I am hear to tell you about a gig we have coming up.  Hope you can make it.  We will be at OnStage Drinks and Grinds, 802 Kapahulu Ave, Friday, Nov. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

KB
Stratus Blue
Stratus Blue

Stratus Blue
Online Now!


Nov 12 2009 5:43 AM

Sorry I haven't been in touch recently.  Now I am hear to tell you about a gig we have coming up.  Hope you can make it.  We will be at OnStage Drinks and Grinds, 802 Kapahulu Ave, Friday, Nov. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

KB
Stratus Blue
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Nov 9 2009 9:58 PM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over welcome
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS

MESSAGE ME 1ST & LAST NAMES FOR FREE FREE FREE GUEST LIST ON SATURDAYS ONLY




NOV 13, 2009




NOV 20,2009
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Nov 3 2009 6:04 AM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
NOV 6, 2009
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS





NOV 7, 2009
HIT ME UP FOR FREE FREE FREE GUEST LIST!!!!
WIN A TATTOO OR PIERCING........


Stratus Blue

Stratus Blue



Oct 25 2009 11:21 AM

Howzit Mr. Cruz? 
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Oct 20 2009 5:37 PM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
FREE GUEST LIST
OCTOBER 23, 2009
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS

A & R

A & R



Oct 20 2009 4:15 PM

URGENT: Wanted Two Bands for Label Consideration

There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.

*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.

1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.

* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist.
** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong.
*** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.


2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.

* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist.
** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong.
*** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.

XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com

Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.

Thank You.

PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Oct 12 2009 7:23 AM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
OCTOBER 16, 2009
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS



Treysara

Treysara



Oct 8 2009 6:42 AM

Hey John,  we'll see you in November at the Church of The Pacific.  Check out our Youtube "Treysara - Little Girl Blue" at the same venue.  We had a blast that night.  Community support is everything!  Can't wait to see you there too.
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Oct 8 2009 12:14 AM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
OCTOBER 9, 2009
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS


The Criterion Band

The Criterion Band
Online Now!


Oct 7 2009 11:52 PM

Hi John Cruz, check out our new track "Long Legs"
VIP-808.COM

Paul Alferez



Oct 1 2009 6:12 AM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
OCTOBER 2, 2009
"PARTY DON'T STOP BI-----S"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS

Angry Little Robot

Angry Little Robot



Sep 28 2009 6:18 AM

Hey there-
Just thought I'd let ya know I posted a new song that you should check out. It's called "Tomato Worm Excrement" and it's pretty heavy.

Let me know what ya think.

-RD
VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT

VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT



Sep 25 2009 7:14 AM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
September 25, 2009
HIT ME UP FOR FREE GUEST LIST!!!!!!!!
West Side Tattoo giving away tattoos & body piercings
"PARTY DON'T STOP BITCHES"!!!
CHECK OUT MY ALBUMS FOR PICS OF EVENTS


Treysara

Treysara



Sep 15 2009 7:06 PM

Aloha John!  It was great to meet you a few years back at the Kauai Music Festival. Our band was playing at Shutters Lounge as you strolled through with that big smile! I hope you enjoy our jazz (musicians on the album; Trey & Sara, Mike Ruff, Tris Imboden and others).     
~MJ~ (ISLAND GIRL)

Michelle Jones



Sep 1 2009 2:57 AM

john,hey its michelle calivin lopez's girlfriend!!! i jus wanted to say that i love ur music so much. you've been a great insperation to me your music really changed me.!!! n ill never forget our personal  little concert n the bathroom wit eddie luella n calvin ha ha that was so speacial to me thanks so much!!!!!!! ur the shit!!!!!!!! love always~michelle
 



Susan

SUSAN LUCKEY



Aug 29 2009 4:27 AM

Hey John,  We hope that you have a Wonderful Weekend.  Remember to play a song for us over on the Peninsula...where we do it Island Style too.  (Yes, we have a verse to add to your song!)  See ya! Yo FL Fans
VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT

VIP 808 ENTERTAINMENT



Aug 27 2009 6:25 PM

Watup John Cruz,
NEW PARTY SPOT 18 & over event!
AUGUST 28,2009
West Side Tattoo giving away tattoos & body piercings
Body Art By SUGA RAY AirBrush
Betz and Adam

Betz and Adam



Aug 26 2009 10:23 AM

Hey John we had a great time too, and looking forward to having more of your music here on Maui. And, thanks for the great Cruz Family Show in Makawao on Friday, where a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks for the music and the love.
Les and Dorothy
tilman.

tilman.



Aug 20 2009 6:59 PM

i attended a music festival a few weeks ago and as i was
walkin across the area i saw this man, who i instantly thought could've
been your brother guy!

n i was like "nah, that's just impossible!" but i went up to
him anyway and did just ask him where he was from.
(taking into consideration that this took place in germany ^_°)

he said mexico and i was all sad ^_^

ah john, this would've been so great and i'd have been
off to hawaii with him in a second without thinking about it!

pretty embarrassing to say, but i daydream a lot (.. like .. A LOT)
about being in the studio with you! ^_^

well maybe someday it'll actually happen and
i'll be telling you about having written these comments at your
myspace page and you'll be like "rly? i've never read those!" :D

well .. hope dies last, right ? ^_°

farewell!
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