Kristy Kruger

Songwriter and artist Kristy Kruger has musical tastes that travel easily from Fats Waller to Johnny Cash. The Dallas Morning News says she has grown into one of the most eclectic singers in the area, citing her as a "female Tom Waits.

Kruger fuses modern songwriting with her love of early American music, be it traditional New Orleans jazz (where she has lived in the past and spends much of her time), folk, or classic country. Kruger is a multi-instrumentalist and while she was unable to tour at the time, she was even called to perform with Jack White to play pedal steel last year for his all-female band, "The Peacocks."

After 14 years of touring solo, (and 24 years of performing in general), Kruger was personally chosen to open a leg of Patty Griffin's tour this fall by Patty herself. She is also an engaging storyteller and essayist and has appeared on PRI's "This American Life" several times. Host Ira Glass, has become a noted fan of Kruger's, appearing at her performances in New York and Texas, and even plugging her show several times to his audience at his own show in Dallas this past summer.

In addition to these efforts, Krüger has released four full-length albums. Her previous album, "Songs From a Dead Man's Couch," is a meeting of her Texas Americana roots and her love of New Orleans-style jazz. "Songs From a Dead
Man's Couch" won the 2007 Independent Music Award for "Best Americana Album of the Year."

Her fifth release was recorded in New Orleans, using New Orleans musicians. It will be released in the spring of 2014.
While finishing her album in New Orleans, Kruger was also invited to sit in with the world-famous New Orleans "Preservation Hall Jazz Band."

Some of Kruger's influences are: Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Lefty Frizzell, Fats Waller, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, Eartha Kitt, Duke Ellington, and Lucinda Williams.

Kruger is also an advocate for Veterans. After losing her brother LTC Eric Kruger in Iraq, she began a series of concerts in his memory, raising over $20,000 for the Fisher House, a non-profit which helps wounded Veterans. She is in the process of receiving 501(c) (3) status for the "LTC Eric Kruger Memorial Foundation," which will provide musical instruments and lessons to Veterans and the children of fallen soldiers.

In addition to performing her originals, Kruger is also a bandleader and fronts several local projects. "Kristy Kruger and the Town Criers" is a classic country project - performing the repertoire of such greats as Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Floyd Tillman, Bob Wills, and more. "Kristy Kruger and the Krux du Vieux" features Kruger on stride piano with a full Dixieland band, performing a mix of her originals and traditional jazz arrangements of a variety of songs. She also recently began a Doo-wop band, "Kristy and the Krugerands," performing the music of Sam Cooke, Little Willie John, the Shirelles, etc.

Kruger is dedicated not only to her own songwriting, but also to learning American musical gems of the past, and sharing them with audiences across America. She is equal parts songwriter, performer, storyteller, and musical historian.

Over the years, Kruger has developed relationships with many sidemen. She often performs solo or in a variety of duo, trio or full-band settings. Basically what this means is when you see Kristy perform, the set is never the same. Using a variety of sidemen, ranging from fiddle players to accordion players, Kruger is always changing up her show.

Press Quotes:

"Kristy Kruger is a musical time traveler gripped by stylistic
wanderlust. Her curiosity leads her to unpredictable explorations, placing aesthetic bets that her intelligence, talent and immense personal charm take straight to the bank. Each song is a wonder and a delight."
-Anthony DeCurtis, *The Rolling Stone*

"Kristy is funny and charming. She has a great voice and I love so many of her songs. She was one of my favorite interviews this year. I just got back from giving speeches in North Carolina and people kept wanting to talk to me about her story. America loves her. Way more comments about her than say, our coverage of Iraq."
-Ira Glass, Host of Public Radio International's *This American Life*

"Simply brilliant."
-*Paste magazine*

"She has grown into one of the most eclectic singers in the Dallas music scene...Imagine a female Tom Waits, produced by Daniel Lanois."
-*The Dallas Morning News*

"Krüger will captivate with her stellar songwriting and Patty Griffin meets PJ Harvey voice."
-*Performing Songwriter Magazine*

"Her voice has a timeless quality to it and whatever setting she places it into...like a hot hand in the small of your back leading you to the dance floor, you are powerless to resist."
-Americana UK, the largest resource for Americana in the UK