By Chris Edwards
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LUFKIN – The new performing arts lineup for the Angelina Arts Alliance fall/winter season was recently announced, and Woodville native Kim Cruse is among the scheduled attractions.
Cruse and her band will perform a show for the non-profit arts organization on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. in Lufkin’s Pines Theater.
For many friends, fans and admirers of Cruse in Tyler County, it’ll be a good chance to see Woodville’s first lady of song in the area. Cruse has been performing on the road since the release of her latest single “Cry,” and in venues such as the House of Blues in Houston. Last fall, she headlined the Harvest Festival at Heritage Village.
Cruse first came to national prominence during the fall of 2022 when she became a Top 8 finalist on the NBC program The Voice, in its 22nd season. Prior to that, she self-released a self-titled five-song EP, which peaked at #8 on the iTunes R&B charts.
She spent her young years leading worship at her father, Rev. Bobby Cruse’s, church, and later toured with artists such as John P. Kee and Monica.
From an early age, Cruse always enjoyed singing, and acknowledged her start at Little Baptist Church in Woodville.
“My first public performance has to have been at church. We would have musicals at our church quite often. I believe I sang a song called ‘Mississippi Poor Boy’ with a quartet that my dad invited out,” said Cruse.
She credits her parents, the beloved Rev. Bobby Cruse and Ramona Cruse, as her biggest inspirations to sing and perform.
“They’ve worked so hard to help make everything happen for me. I want to be able to give them the world and more,” she said.
Through her career, Cruse has already earned comparisons to classic women of song, such as Nina Simone and Etta James, and since her run on The Voice, some critics have stated that her vocals give the same type of emotional conveyance as the great Billie Holiday.
Since its inaugural season in 2001, with a kick-off performance by the late Marvin Hamlisch, the Angelina Arts Alliance has been a premium conduit of quality performing arts in the East Texas area, with shows at both the Temple Theater, on the campus of Angelina College in Lufkin, and more recently, shows also at the Pines Theater in Lufkin’s revitalized downtown district.
In 2007, the city of Lufkin purchased the landmark art deco venue, and since then, in conjunction with the AAA, classic films have been screened, along with musical performances by artists such as Jason Crabb, Ray Wylie Hubbard and other legends.
Cruse is in fine company this season of shows at the Pines. Other scheduled events include Crabb and his band (April 18); a Bee Gees tribute (March 29) and a tribute to Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison (March 9).
Tickets to Cruse’s performance, or any AAA show, can be purchased from the website AngelinaArts.org, or by phone at 936-633-5454, or in person at 108 S. First Street in Lufkin.
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