MICHAEL CAREY - Drums and Lead Vocals
Michael brings 30 years of experience to "Cruise Control", having begun performing in San Francisco Bay Area clubs at age 15. Michael was featured as the young "Elvis" in Lieber and Krebbs' $1M production of "Elvis, I'll Remember You", both off-Broadway and in the touring company. Michael was the lead singer of the rock band Heroes, opening for Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, and Aerosmith. He starred as "Mick Jagger" in the national touring company of The Stoneshow. As a member of the touring act The Toons, Michael recorded two albums and had a video in rotation on MTV for two years. A whole new generation of fans have come to appreciate the "The Toons", with the re-release of their music on YouTube. Michael has been the drummer for The Spinners, Al Wilson, The Coasters, and Chubby Checker. He has even provided voiceover work for ABC's Laverne and Shirley. Since 1995, Michael has been busy playing corporate events, club dates, and doing commercial recordings with his band The Fabulous Cruisetones. Michael joined Yolanda King and Cruise Control in 2000 and has divided his time between land dates and seagoing performances aboard Princess, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Holland America and Celebrity Cruise Lines ever since.
JIM EWANCHOOK – Keyboards and Vocals
After leaving a career as an All Star Semi-Pro Hockey and LaCrosse player from 1965 -1978, Jim turned his attention to his other passion - music. He embarked on a career as a professional keyboard/vocalist and has worked throughout North America ever since. Jim became a Composition Major with honors on a scholarship at Capilano University from 1991 to 1995, where he studied Jazz, Classical Composition and Performance. Jim has also had extensive cruise ship experience, performing with various groups including The Bruce Gordon Trio, Jim's own After Hours Trio, and he is now the newest member of Yolanda King and Cruise Control.
GRANT EWALD - Keyboards, Bass Pedals, and Vocals
Grant has been performing professionally for over 30 years, playing acoustic piano, electronic keyboards and left-foot bass as well as singing lead and back-up vocals. Grant's vast repertoire includes all styles of music. His impressive resume includes appearances as the opening act for Eddie Rabbitt and Merle Haggard; backing Zella Lehr at numerous Las Vegas and other Nevada venues with his group Expression; performances at the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco's Cow Palace for six years; and most notably, working for three consecutive years with the legendary Chuck Berry at the Circle Star in San Carlos, Ca. Grant has also maintained the role of bandleader and arranger for the house band at Nick's Rockaway in Pacifica, Ca, for the past 12 years. His talents have seen him perform for audiences ranging from the small and intimate, to crowds of as many as 20,000 people, playing at fairs and touring in national shows. Grant has most recently added performances at sea, with contracts onboard Royal Caribbean and Princess cruise lines, working with Yolanda King and Cruise Control.
DAVE BADILLA - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Dave began performing as a teenager in the mid 70's and is known to local musicians and club goers as the versatile lead singer and guitar player in several successful Bay Area bands. In the 1980's Dave played extensibly throughout the western United States, Hawaii, Canada and Japan. His professional career has included performances with a roster of stars such as The Diamonds, Bruce Willis, The Coasters, The Drifters, Pete Escovedo, and Johnny Paycheck to name just a few. Dave has also had the opportunity to record with musicians from Santana and The Eddie Money Band. Dave's strong vocals and his ability and proficiency on both Guitar, Bass and Harmonica add great musical strength to "Cruise Control".
REAL FAGNON - Guitar and Vocals
Real brings with him over 25 years of writing, performing and playing experience, working in a variety of ensembles in venues all across Canada and the United States. Real plays acoustic and electric guitar and delivers wonderfully powerful vocals with his rich baritone voice. He has performed for such great Canadian recording artists as Terry Charrisse and Juno Award winning Country artist Michelle Wright. Real has also had the great fortune of sharing the stage with American legends of Country music such as Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He brings many years of cruise ship experience to Yolanda King and Cruise Control, with contracts aboard Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
