Tas Cru

-Latest album, “Simmered & Stewed", debuted at # 1 on the Roots Music Report\nRaucous, rowdy, gentle, sweet, eccentric, quirky, and outright irreverent are all words that fittingly describe Tas Cru's songs and testify to his reputation as a one of the most unique of bluesmen plying his trade today.  It's not for nothing that Cru has received wide praise for his songwriting.  As Downbeat magazine notes, "His songs are blues poetry - crafted with rare verbal flair and his ability to cast a memorable hook is magical!" Bruce Iglauer, founder and president of Alligator Records calls Cru “a rare, real writer.”  Live, these songs are performed with power and passion as observed by Living Blues magazine, "The vivacity and sheer joy with which Cru plays is intoxicating!"\nCru's first foray into the blues came after leaving the US Navy when he was asked to join a band formed by a former shipmate named Delray Streeter, a bluesman of unlimited bravado and attitude but limited singing and harmonica skills.  Streeter was raised in El Dorado, Arkansas and claimed a rich blues heritage from his upbringing.  This partnership, though shot-lived, proved to be very influential as Streeter's repertoire tended toward the older and much rawer country blues.  Cru's schooling in country blues later served him well and is infused into his original songs along with his Sun Records and rock-blues influences. \nTas Cru's discography includes seven albums of original songs:\n• "Biscuit" (2006),\n• "gravi-Tas "(2008),\n• "Grizzle n' Bone" (2009),\n• "Jus' Desserts" (2010),\n• "Tired of Bluesmen Cryin" (2012)\n• "You Keep the Money" (2015)\n• "Simmered and Stewed" (2016) \nHis new album, “Simmered & Stewed", debuted at # 1 on the Roots Music Report and 8 of its 12 songs have been in the top 25. It also debuted on the prestigious Living Blues chart at #2.    \nIn addition to these recordings is Cru's 2009 release, "Even Bugs Sing the Blues,' and 2016's "Doggone Blues", both albums of original blues music for kids. Cru donates copies to schools, community groups and blues societies to use for their fundraising efforts in hopes that it will help inspire a new generation of blues fans and musicians.  Tas donated over $2,000.00 to the Blues Hall Of Fame Fund from sales this year.