Dustin Garrett & The Texas Cruisers
It was a hot summer July night in Lubbock, Texas and I was sitting in a small but friendly night club enjoying the local bike night festivities when Dustin Garrett & The Texas Cruisers exploded on the stage. Shaking us like a rag doll, they ripped and rattled us to the core, not letting up until the last dance and demanding encore. It only took the first few minutes of this feeding frenzy for me to realize these guys were skilled and special. It was also obvious why everyone around considered them the undisputed country/rock crowd favorite, locally, statewide, and on the radio.
As a music student of South Plains College, Dustin Garrett, front man, lead vocalist, and guitarist, started perfecting his craft as a young boy. Following in the footsteps of his talented father and band leader, Mike Garrett (aka Daddy G), Dustin, at the tender age of 10 was given the honor of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. He then went on to perform with legendary country greats such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bill Anderson, and most recently Highway 101. Skilled way beyond his years, Dustin, jammed his heart out for us that night by playing his ax in every position possible from dropping to his knees a-la Jimi Hendrix style, to playing behind his head and body, and using whatever was handy as a slide. He gave it all, leaving it in the room and leaving US demanding for more!
“Texas Cruiser”, bass player and guitarist, Justin Lusk, of Mineral Wells, TX., also grabbed and kept our attention on more than one occasion as I watched with amazement and the crowd roared with excitement. Also a music and marketing student of South Plains College, Justin, who is a natural with any instrument he touches, is dead serious about his chosen path and is willing to make the sacrifices by doing whatever it takes to continue being and playing with the best. Add singing and songwriting skills to the mix and you have a force to be recognized and appreciated.
Fellow 'Texas Cruiser” and drummer, Bryan Quinteros, also “brings it to the table”. No stranger to the stage, Bryan started perfecting his craft at the very young age of 14 and scored his first record contract with Hacienda Records by the time he was 18. His background and fuse of tejano, blues, funk, and rock, gives DG & The Texas Cruisers the balanced edge they are so well known for.
Yes-sir my friends, this band rocked my face off and I've seen and heard enough to say I'm a tough customer! This was the first show I’ve been to in a long time where the band kept their audience completely locked in from the beginning to the end. Dustin Garrett & The Texas Cruisers is certainly moving on to great things! Watch for them to start booking in Georgia soon! If you want to read more about this great band, or to hear their music and buy a CD, visit their web site at www.dustingarrettandthetexascruisers.com or visit them on facebook and myspace.
Well, that's all for this month. Keep those referrals coming and remember if it’s your band and you want a review, send an e-mail to Cruizn With Crystal @ SWAG1432@yahoo.com or call our Full Throttle main office at 770-943-4175.
Now, let’s get this party started!
Crystal Swygert,
Cruizn With Crystal
Southland’s Full Throttle Magazine, Band Reviews
Crystal & The Cruizers - www.crystalandthecruizers.com