Waimea Cowboy Soul, John Cruz and Ohana

John Cruz will play an evening of “Waimea Cowboy Soul Music” in the heart of paniolo country at the Kahilu Theatre, opening the Kahilu 2014-2015 Season, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

The 2005 Grammy award-winner will play just one night of music inspired by Motown, Country, and Hawaii. His ohana — brothers Ernie Cruz Jr., Guy Cruz, and Tony Cruz, will join John onstage, making a rare chance to see the talented Cruz family jam and talk story together.

Special guest Keikilani Lindsey, who has just released a new album entitled Mele‘uhane (Spirit of Song), will open the show.

John Cruz has gained international recognition for performances at venues from Carnegie Hall to the South by Southwest music festival in Austin. Over the years he has toured or collaborated with stars like Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, Eddie Vedder, Jimmy Buffett, Lisa Loeb, and Trey Anastasio.

The Cruz ohana, raised in Palolo Valley, Oahu, was full of music – from their Hawaiian grandmother’s beautiful voice in church, to their Mom’s extensive Motown record collection and Dad’s lessons of country music songs.

John then developed his musical style and studied and performed acting and dance for twelve years on the U.S. East Coast, then returned home to Hawaii in 1995 to help his brother Ernie record his album with the Ka’au Crater Boys.

Playing bass with his brother’s immensely popular band Ka’au Crater Boys spurred John to release the album “Acoustic Soul,” which has sold over 150,000 copies in Hawaii alone and includes international hits like “Shine On,” “Sitting in Limbo” and “Island Style”.

John’s second album, “One of These Days” (2007) debuted firmly at #1 in Hawaii, #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and #6 on the Billboard World Chart. Honolulu Magazine named the album one of the “Top 25 Greatest Hawaii Albums of the New Century” in 2012. John is now working on his third album, to be released soon.

When not on the road, John spends his time supporting cultural and educational projects, such as “Guitars in the Classroom,” helping kids all over the country to enrich their lives through music.

This concert was made possible in part by sponsorship by Deviants from the Norm, West Hawaii Today, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and KAPA Radio, sponsor of Kahilu Theatre’s 2014-2015 Hawaiian Music Series.

Tickets are $66/$46/ $36/$20 and available online, or call 885-6868.