The Vista Cruisers are a long established cover band in the Middletown, Ohio area. Greg Madden, Dan Ward and Mike Ward conceived the original band in the early 70’s. It wasn’t long before lead singer and guitarist Jim Roberts joined and the band named themselves Southern Change, after a line from Neil Young’s Southern Man. They recorded a single, Travelin’, that got substantial airplay on local country radio, became part of an USO show that landed them a 2 week stint at the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and eventually were the featured artist on a morning radio show for 6 weeks. But the ‘big break’ never came and the band parted with each member going separate ways for over 20 years. There were semi-reunions and various joint projects but the full band didn’t finally reunite until 1999.

Some of the members spent time in one of Dayton, Ohio’s first and very popular 60’s band, The Peddlers. Others started a band called Cottonmouth, which to this day is still a staple of the private club scene. Building on past successes, the band was content to cover rock and country songs from the 60’s through the 90’s. But it was only a matter of time before the band made the move from covers to originals.

Their debut CD, Driving Around, combines the influences of the Beatles, Neil Young, Jackson Brown, Doobie Brothers and Merle Haggard. Their 14 original songs feature catchy melodies, searing guitar riffs, 5-string banjo and pedal steel.

The Vista Cruisers take a lot of pride in their music. It took 30 years for Driving Around to be created. Was it worth it? Absolutely yes!

For more information about the group, their debut CD or bookings visit VistaCruisers.com or send an email to vistacruisers@yahoo.com.