Cruz Contreras

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras has roots in Tennessee and Michigan, but has impacted Americana music worldwide. The frontman, founder, and driving force behind The Black Lillies (2009-2019), also co-founded Robinella and the CCstringband with Robinella in 1998, releasing a combined total of 9 studio albums over the last 20 years between the two projects. He has collaborated with musicians ranging from John Oates and Jim Lauderdale to Langhorne Slim and Turnpike Troubadours. Cruz’s projects have topped both the Billboard and Americana radio charts, won Independent Music Awards, and been nominated for the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award. He has appeared on nationally broadcast television including Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CMT, VH-1, GAC, Bluegrass Underground and PBS Television’s Sun Studio Sessions. His music has been lauded by outlets as diverse as American Songwriter Magazine, Rolling Stone, NPR’s Morning Edition and Vanity Fair, among others. Contreras' debut solo album will be released September 2023!