About the Author
Tas Cru is a singer/songwriter/bluesman from Central New York. He has written over 100 songs and recorded several albums. These include Even Bugs Sing the Blues, an album of blues songs geared for young children and a blues album for kids and dog lovers alike called Doggone Blues. Prior to dedicating himself to full-time recording and touring, Tas enjoyed a career in education – teaching at all levels: elementary/secondary/college with an MS in Education, an MA in English Literature and a Ph.D. in Literacy Education.
Doggone Blues Book Series
This project stems from Tas’ 2016 music album, Doggone Blues, original songs about dogs who get the blues! The CD was a fundraiser for the the newly established Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame. The dogs in each of those songs appear as characters in this book series.
The Music
Tas began writing blues songs for kids during his stint as a 1st grade teacher when he turned several popular books by the esteemed author/illustrator Eric Carle into songs about Carle’s bug characters getting the blues. Later on, Cru’s subject matter turned to dogs, which was more age-appropriate and engaging for his 5th grade students.
“The kids loved when I played and sang for them. They really got into the blues music thing too. My 5th graders especially learned a lot about our nations history by way of Blues songs” - Tas Cru
MUSIC
BOOKS
BLUES EDUCATION