Hi...thanks for visiting. This is a new website for me to use. I already have a MySpace page along with a personal website that shares stuff about me including my music. If you're interested those websites are:

http://www.JimCruzMusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/jimmycruzmusic

Originally transplanted from NY to the South. And if you don't already know, I'm a musician and have been one for almost my whole life. It's what fires my brain up, keeps me dreaming, and causes the creative juices to flow. It's all I ever wanted to do since I was little and I can only explain that it was God who placed that desire in me....none of my other family members are musicians or even influenced me to go in that direction.

One of the greatest joys I've had in my life (next to my kids or family in general) has been to share it with God's people and being used of God inside and outside the church with this gift. I cut my teeth using it in the world prior to coming to know Jesus and never quite felt complete in it until God got a hold of it and me.

Just so you know I'm not all one dimensional in my life...even though music plays a big part since I've earned a bit of my living from it for many years, serve with it in church, and have taught hundreds of people in it--- I do have other passions in my life. My family being one, I love wellness & fitness, I love the outdoors & nature (I don't get to enjoy as much as I like because my life is so hectic), I love really good Sci-Fi books and movies, action movies, and wierd as it may seem - I love...gulp....chick flicks (only the intelligent funny ones). It must be my sensitive side. Namely "Sleepless in Seattle", "You Got Mail", and a few others. I can watch those over and over again. I don't care much for the teeny bopper ones. Anyway...enough of that.

I can't stand vegging out in front of a TV - I feel like my life is being wasted. Except if it's a really good movie and it's on early Sunday evening when I'm too burnt out from the week's activities. Otherwise I've got to be productive.

I love writing music and can produce tons of it...especially in the right frame of mind and not having pressure on me. The very rare times I've been able to get away from my surroundings, I've been able to be the most creative. I love Jazz and music with alot of passion and horsepower to it. Simpler, less sophisticated styles don't do a thing for me. I prefer keyboard driven music rather than guitar driven music...or at least where the keyboard is as predominant as the guitar. I miss the days of virtuoso keyboardists and guitarists that could paint intensely beautiful layers of sound...and bass players and drummers who interlock and play grooves that can send shockwaves through you....everything these days seems to lack the skill level and passion for instrumental mastery that have been a part of music history for centuries...it is sooooooo mundane...are we living in a LAZY generation with no work ethic....I think that's true. Oh and one more thing....screamo is the biggest joke I've ever heard...I don't see anything of value in it at all. I hate beat machines and music that is just cut and pasted - sooooo artificial. Enough of my soapbox.

I love food...any kind of food as long as it's not crawling off my plate....especially meat and veggies. I can't stand deserts, unless it's fruit or salads. I don't have a sweet tooth. I'll consume massive amounts of pizza and Mexican food if it's in front of me. I eat everything off of my plate...largely due to seeing really poor people in South America when I was a child. I appreciate everything I've got. We are so truly blessed beyond what we actually know...if it wasn't enough just to have God's grace. 

My family and I attend Livingway Church in Stockbridge which has been our home church for a number of years and we love it. Before that, we've attended Atlanta City Church for about 10 years....absolutely loved it there. Had the privilage of getting to know some of the most wonderful people in those churches. And one day I'll have time to spend time with them.

I have 3 wonderful kids...Jimmy, Lanie, & Christina. My wife Toni and I have been married for 23 years....maybe 24, I'm not sure, but she doesn't know that.

I've worked in the insurance industry for the last 20 years...to support my family and my habit (music). I've also taught guitar for the last 23 years and some sporadic performing (did a lot more of that before I started teaching). Now that my kids are teenagers and don't really care to have Dad around alot anymore....I've turned the heat up on my music again and I'm just ecstatic at all the open doors that are coming my way. So much to do....so little time (sigh!).

The most important thing to me is seeing God get a hold of my kids hearts and to see them experience his presence and power in their lives. Also being used by God fully in my music so that I can have an eternal impact and at the same time provide a living for me and my family. Those are the doors I want to be walking through.

That's it. If you want to know more...you can visit my other sites.

Thanks again for dropping by.

Love Y'all.

Jimmy  :-D