Cruzeros named to BCCMA Hall of Fame
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Kelowna’s very own The Cruzeros have been named to the B.C. Country Music Association Hall of Fame.
The hugely popular band, who thrilled country, rock, and bluegrass fans across the country for more than 25 years, received word earlier this week of the honour. The band will be inducted October 5 at the hall of Fame in Mission.
“It’s a tremendous honour and a bit of a surprise to be named to the BCCMA’s. This is wonderful. Curtis Tulman (saxophone, harmonica, rhythm guitar) and I put in a lot of time together, 25 years or more. We were lucky to join up with some wonderfully talented players over the years as Gary Smyth (lead guitar), Jim ‘Pa’ Ryan (bass), Rachel Matkin (vocals), and Jay Swetlishoff (drums) became regular Cruzeros,” lead singer/songwriter Barry Mathers explains.
Curtis Tulman, the band’s other founding member and singer/songwriter adds, “This is a huge affirmation for us and completely humbling. The BCCMA has been incredible in its support of the Cruzeros throughout the years. When we started out in 1985 and looked at the music industry, it was daunting – and we knew nothing about it. However, Barry and I knew we had something ‘special’. We had a passion for making music and we had this incredible chemistry on and off the stage.”
Special indeed, with a lot of encouragement from local fans and a successful grant application from FACTOR (Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent On Record) the Cruzeros built their first record and released it in 1996 and boom – Juno Nomination for Country Group of The Year! That was the start of the big ride, and what a ride it’s been.
The Cruzeros hold a brilliant musical legacy across the nation and abroad with three award winning albums, twenty Top 40 hit singles on national country radio, eight Country Music Television (CMT) videos, radio and internet airplay in USA, Europe, Australia, and Latin America, and command performances at innumerable outdoor concerts, festivals, and events. The band garnered a host of awards and nominations over the years, including a Juno nod for Country Group of The Year, a Canadian Indie Award for Country Album of the Year, multiple awards from the BCCMA and multiple Canadian Country Music Association top awards in the Special Instrumentalist category for Tulman’s skill on the harmonica.
“Playing such great tunes by a singer/songwriter like Barry is the ultimate. I’ve been humbled by the band members I have worked with I am thankful,” Tulman added.
Joining The Cruzeros as BCCMA Hall of Fame inductees in October will be: One Horse Blue, Alibi, Geoff Dueck, Linda Corscadden, Nicole Hyette, Jim Byrnes, Lisa Brokop, Patricia Conroy, David Wills, Tony Rudner and Rob Pattee.
The BCCMA, is taking an exciting approach to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with its presentation of the BCCMA Hall of Fame Show October 5th, 2024 at Mission, B.C.’s Clarke Theatre (33700 Prentis Ave, Mission, B.C.) The doors open at 2 p.m. and the show starts at 3 p.m.
Performances by Patricia Conroy, Lisa Brokop, Jim Byrnes and more to come.
Tickets for the BCCMA Hall of Fame Show are on sale at:
https://www.vtixonline.com/bccma-hall-of-fame-show
