Tips Up: Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies Band

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, & producer Cruz Contreras has roots in Tennessee & Michigan, but has impacted Americana music worldwide.

The frontman, founder, & driving force behind The Black Lillies’ raw & rootsy sound also co-founded Robinella & the CCstringband, & has collaborated with musicians ranging from John Oates and Jim Lauderdale to Langhorne Slim & The Turnpike Troubadours. His projects have topped both the Billboard and Americana radio charts, won Independent Music Awards, & been nominated for the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award. After over a decade touring under the name The Black Lillies, Contreras wrapped up the band in 2019. He is performing under his own name & is at work on his debut solo album, ‘Cosmico’.