John Cruz

Hawaii legend John Cruz engages audiences with rich storytelling through songs ranging from Hawaiian to blues, folk, R&B and more. Cruz is multi-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner (1997, 2008, 2022) and contributed a composition and song to the GRAMMY® award-winning album ‘Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2.’ With over 1 million people streaming his music every year, Cruz one of Hawaii’s most beloved artists. 

On stage, he fully embodies every song with this alluring energy translating to his acclaimed albums, ‘Acoustic Soul’ (one of the best selling Hawaii records of all time) and ‘One of These Days’ (bowed at #4 on Billboard’s World Music chart). His latest single, “It’s Time To Build A Bridge,” won the 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Video of the Year Award. The video is featured on this page.

Born and raised on the island of O’ahu, singer/songwriter Blayne Asing began playing ʻukulele at age eight; singing in the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus at age nine; playing guitar at age 14; and playing percussion in the Kamehameha Schools marching, concert, and pep bands at age 12. Although he grew up loving the music of popular Hawai’i artists such as Ernie Cruz, Jr., Brother Noland, Gabby Pahinui, Olomana, Kalapana, Cecilio and Kapono, Country Comfort, and the Kaʻau Crater Boys, his own music is heavily influenced by country and folk music artists such as James Taylor and Jackson Browne.

Asing had no formal music training. He had a couple of lessons in 4th grade learning the basics of the ‘ukulele, but nothing beyond that. When he first picked up the guitar in high school, he taught himself how to play by watching YouTube videos. He credits his ability to play with having a natural ear for learning.

In addition to his expertise in playing a variety of instruments, Asing is a prolific songwriter. His original songs range from country/folk to Hawaiian and island music, but he also loves performing the music of his favorite Hawaiian legends. He released his debut album “Young, Old Soul” in 2015, which earned him the 2016 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaiʻi's GRAMMY® Award) for Most Promising Artist. Of the 10 tracks on the album, six are original songs. Three of the songs from the album are currently in heavy rotation on one of the largest and most popular radio stations in Hawai’i, landing there after the station’s program director happened to hear Asing at a live performance. Radio stations clamored for more, and immediately began playing his latest single, "Molokai On My Mind" upon its release.

In addition to his solo career, Asing has worked with childhood idols such as Ernie Cruz, Jr. He plays guitar for Brother Noland, with whom he performs on a regular basis, and he has been invited to sit in with other award-winning artists such as Kawika Kahiapo and Mike Kaawa. He has also performed with a variety of popular younger artists, including Ian O’Sullivan, The Voice’s Duncan Kamakana (Osorio), and former Pure Heart lead singer and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Jon Yamasato.

However, Asing says his absolute favorite thing is getting an invitation from the legendary, multiple award-winning slack key guitarist Ledward Kaapana to come play in Kaapana’s garage for one of his infamous huge jam sessions.