"Obama and Jack Johnson Fave, John Cruz, to Perform at CRBC" by Music Blog

Music Blog

Obama and Jack Johnson Fave, John Cruz, to Perform at CRBC

January 25, 2012

A little more than a week after John Cruz's version of "Hi'ilawe" was featured on the popular television revamp of "Hawaii Five-O," he will appear at the Cannery Row Brewing Company—for free—on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8pm. The best way to describe Cruz: Hawaii's answer to John Denver.

Having one of his tunes appear on "Hawaii Five-O" is only one of many standouts found on Cruz's resume: In 2005, he received a Grammy Award for his original song "Jo Bo's Night," which was featured on the compilation Slack Key Guitar Volume 2; Cruz co-wrote a song with Trey Anastasio that appeared on the Phish frontman's solo LP Bar 17; and some of his fans include notables like Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne and master surfer Kelly Slater.

But one of the most cherished highlights of Cruz's career was having the opportunity to perform for President Obama in Hawaii before and after he was elected into office. And there's a real good chance Cruz will have the privilege of performing for Obama once again after he's reelected.

Cruz's third full-length LP is set to be released sometime in 2012.

Check out a couple of Cruz's videos posted below—including a collaboration with Jack Johnson—to be further convinced not to miss this show.