Getting Down at D's Dog House

May 17, 2013

Russ and Tracey

Tracey, Patrick and Jim

Ladies & Gentlemen, This is CRUISE CONTROL

Tracey hitting a high note

You go, Girl!

Guest, Patrick Quimby with Russ

Guest, Claudia Babral

Patrick Barrett, Drummer

Jimmy's Parlor Trick

Mr. Q

May 17, 2013

MEET THE BAND:

"CRUISE CONTROL"

Russell "Russ" Goodwin [Bass, Vocals, Acoustic guitar] started to play the guitar about 22 years ago.  It took a while, but in 1997, he began to perform at open mics in Burlington, Vermont.   

After that, for about a decade he played open mics in Colorado, Oregon, California, Wisconsin.  He moved to Ketchikan, Alaska and played "The Monthly Grind" at a local tribal house. Later returning to Tillemock, Oregon, he performed at the "Time Out Tavern".   He returned to Vermont in 2008.

He has played many acoustic performances in Vermont with his friend, Patrick Quimby at local establishments in Warren, Waitsfield, Hancock, Barre, Waterbury and Stowe, to name a few!  He took up the bass when the band, Cruise Control started in 2011, and has proven to be a very fast study.

Everyone appreciates his dynamite vocals, especially as you hear the thunder of people get up to dance when he sings his set songs with the band.  Acoustically, Russ has a wide variety of talent and particularly shines with his choice of country music.

Meet the Leader of the Band, James "Jim" Goodwin [Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Vocals and Harmonica].  Jim began playing the guitar when he was about 12 years old, and judging by the monster sounds he extracts from his guitar, that practice has paid off.  His voice is clear, raw and strong.

He began playing local gigs in 1991 in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York with The John Lackard Band and then moved to Florida and played in a couple of cover bands for about 8 years. Then, for about the next decade, he has played at a variety of gigs to include during "bike week" at The Cabbage Patch with the Sauce Band.  He later joined the band, "High Tolerance" performing Jazz, Rock, Blues, and Reggae.  His band opened for such greats as The Drifters, Dr. Hook and James Cotton. 

Moving back to Vermont in 2010, he occasionally joined The John Lackard Band again, and played open mics, gigs at local establishments and private parties.  The band Cruise Control was formed (after a few name changes) in 2011.  He performs with his wife, Tracey (vocals) and brother Russell Goodwin (bass and vocals), and drummer, Pat Barrett.

To sum up Jim's passion for music in his own words:  "Music is what drives me...it's everything...it's who I am." 

Tracey [Cooper] Goodwin, a native Floridian, began her singing career after listening to her husband ("Jim" Goodwin) perform at various gigs.  At his encouragement, she began to sing at open mics, colleges and local taverns, performing only 4 or 5 songs a night.  In 2009 she entered, and not surprisingly, won the Caribbean Idol contest, on her birthday, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 

"The winner was announced at 7:30, Tracey Cooper recieved the 2009 Caribbean Idol Winner award with her beautiful music talents singing “Come to my Window” and “Bobby McGee” and her wonderful rendition of “A World Without Cancer”.  -November 15, 2009:  Yes2LocalNews.com - Link

To her, the contest gave her the opportunity to understand the professional aspects in the industry.  "I was inspired to inspire others.  You're doing what you want to do - female to female - in a man's world."

Tracey, small and statuesque; albeit, an all together no nonsense person, continues to shock and awe crowds with her amazing vocals.  She performs with her husband and brother in law and new drummer, Patrick Barrett, at local taverns and private parties.