The Cruzeros
| The Cruzeros | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Country rock |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Members |
|
The Cruzeros are one of the most popular bands to ever come out of Kelowna, British Columbia. They were formed by Barry Mathers and Curtis Tulman in 1985 under the name Sea Cruise, playing top forty cover tunes and quickly becoming a favourite of the pub and nightclub circuit in Canada's BC Interior. They began writing and recording their own songs later that year and for the next decade enjoyed regional notoriety with airplay of their home-produced singles on local radio and television exposure though videos produced by the BC Music Project. It was during this time they changed the name to The Cruzeros after taking the band for a tour in Mexico. It was also during this time they bought homes and began raising families in Kelowna.
Their big break came in 1995 when they received funding through FACTOR to produce an album, which they did with Vancouver producer Bill Buckingham. The album, simply called “The Cruzeros” was released to radio in 1996 to instant and widespread national acceptance, earning them a JUNO nomination for Country Group of the Year. For the next 13 years they were one of Canada's hardest working and most successful independent bands, launching three albums which spawned a total of 20 top forty hits on the national country charts, eight videos on CMT and dozens of award citations including a Canadian Indy for Country Album of the Year, CCMA Special Instrumentalist of the Year three years running and BCCMA Group, Songwriter and Album of the Year awards. The average year saw them performing over 150 dates across Canada with forays into the United States, Mexico and Europe and sharing stages with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
They retired from active touring in 2008, appearing a few times locally since then to perform at the odd benefit concert or special event. Their concert lineup includes main songwriter and lead vocalist Barry Mathers on guitar and mandolin, Curtis Tulman on vocals, guitar, harmonica and saxophone, Jim Ryan on vocals and bass, songstress Rachel Matkin on vocals and mandolin, Jay Terrence on drums, Gary Smyth on lead guitar and Rod Miller on keys and accordion. Each of the band members remains active in the music scene. Barry produces and engineers from his home studio, Redhouse Recording and has joined with Rachel to form the very rootsy and highly original Dirt Road Opera. Curtis heads the worship department for the Willow Park Church Network and joins Gary and Rod in the eclectic gypsy jazz group Cowboy Bob. Jim is a highly sought after studio musician who is regularly called to recording sessions in Vancouver, Toronto and Nashville. Jay remains one of the most popular drummers in the valley. They all continue to live, work, play and enjoy their families in the sunny Okanagan Valley in the heart of super natural British Columbia.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1996 | The Cruzeros |
| 2001 | El Niño |
| 2005 | Scandalosa |
Singles
| Year | Title | CAN Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Am I Invisible" | 29 | The Cruzeros |
| "Take You By the Heart" | 13 | ||
| "Landslide" | 22 | ||
| 1997 | "The Last Time" | 32 | |
| 1998 | "Into Your Eyes" | ||
| 2000 | "Am I Losing You" | El Niño | |
| 2001 | "This Old Road" | ||
| 2002 | "Piece of Stone" | ||
| "Roses and a Cross" | |||
| "Tangled Up in You" | |||
| 2003 | "Going There with Grace" | ||
| 2004 | "November 11th" | Scandalosa | |
| 2005 | "Load Me Up" | ||
| 2006 | "The Way You're Looking at Me" | ||
| 2007 | "Cowboy Boots" | ||
| 2008 | "The Way It Is Around Here" |