 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Their second album, ‘El Niño', released on August 7,2001, garnered impressive critical acclaim. The sophomore album won the Canadian Independent Music Award for Best Country Album for 2002. It was listed by Country Music News as one of the Top 12 albums produced in the year 2000 and was also voted one of the top 20 cd's by members of the Fred Eaglesmith internet digest, the only Canadian album on a list including Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Johnny Cash. Four singles were released to radio and two videos to CMT. Three songs from El Niño were featured in The Barber, a major motion picture starring Malcolm McDowell.
Scandalosa is the group’s third offering and has received four star ratings from critics. Produced by Joe Hardy (ZZ Top, Steve Earle, The Georgia Satellites), the cd was recorded at the Hum Depot, Nashville, TN and Rutland House Studio, Kelowna, BC. The disc includes 10 new original songs by the Cruzeros as well as covers of Donny Ray Ford's "Cowboy Boots" and the classic 60's hit "Wooly Bully" by Samudio Domingo, otherwise known as Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Joe brought in some of his buddies to help out on the project...session legends Greg Morrow, drums, Richard Bennett, guitar, Dan Dugmore, pedal steel and a special guest appearance by Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites. A video for the single Load Me Up hit the airwaves and quickly climbed the CMT charts to #3 on the Big 12 and #9 on the Chevy Top 20. The Cruzeros hit the road all summer to promote the new record and toured Europe twice in 2007.
The band features Barry Mathers (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Curtis Tulman (12-string, harmonica, saxophone, penny whistle, bass, vocals), Gary Smyth (guitar, bass guitar, vocals) and Glenn Parsons on drums. Corey Janz joins in on keyboards and accordian occasionally.
The Cruzeros have appeared on numerous radio and television programs in Canada. Their music has been recorded by artists in Europe and has been used in TV shows domestically and abroad. They have performed throughout western Canada, showcased in Nashville and toured in Mexico several times.
The Cruzeros, best known by some for their country music videos, have much more to offer on their 3 albums and in their live shows. 22 years of playing North America and Europe with videos shown as far afield as Australia make for a rich history. Intimate settings are the best way to see this group, (Barry Mathers, vocals, guitar, mandolin), Curtis Tulman (vocals, harmonica, bass, guitar, saxophone) and Gary Smyth (guitar, vocals, lap steel guitar, bass). The "kitchen party" atmosphere of this trio reveals much more than the full-on rock band seen at large festivals. Soulful ballads, bluegrass, classic country, soaring harmonies, humour and intricate arrangements have caught the ear of such Canadian icons as Fred Eaglesmith, Valdy, Patricia Conroy, George Canyon and many others. An entertaining and energetic evening of original music and other great songs by artists we all love.
"The Cruzeros are the best band I have heard in 10 years. Very good songwriters and great performers!"...Fred Eaglesmith
"The Cruzeros are the best band I have heard in 10 years. Very good songwriters and great performers!"...Fred Eaglesmith