Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies

There are musicians who chase the spotlight, and then there are those who carry it with them — steady, quiet, and burning deep. Cruz Contreras is the latter. Raised between the rugged lines of Tennessee and the long shadows of Michigan, he’s spent nearly thirty years forging his path through the Americana musical landscape. He got his start at 15, backing his brother Billy Contreras—now a world-renowned fiddler—and fell in love with music in 1993, in a quiet room with Bill Monroe. From co-founding Robinella and the CCstringband to leading The Black Lillies, Cruz carved a sound as old as the hills and as wild as the road. He’s played Conan, the Opry, and festivals across the country, earning praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, and Vanity Fair. Now touring behind his solo debut Cosmico, he continues the journey with Cruz Contreras and The Black Lillies—blending Appalachian roots, cosmic country, and rock ’n’ roll.