The Crooners

In their existence, The Crooners have brought their interpretation of roots rock to no less than 11 countries and 14 states. Combining American traditions of blues, swing, folk and country in a performance that is pure rock ‘n’ roll, the group has hotfooted around the globe gaining the respect of it’s cult-like fans one at a time on street corners, in cafes, and concert halls.

Longtime friends since 1998 where they met at Cornell University, Nyles Fitzgerald (washtub bass), Kevin Denton (guitar) and Chris Merkley (guitar & harmonica) evolved into The Crooners following a number of collaborations on various musical projects. While studying abroad in Paris for a semester in 2001, Nyles came across Danny Fitzgerald, his great-uncle, the undisputed European “granddaddy of the buskers” and longtime band leader of The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band, arguably one of the most successful street acts in history. He was immediately drawn to the culture of street performance (busking) and soon shifted his studies to a film project called 'A Busker's World'. After following Danny and his band around in the streets of Paris, conducting interviews and shooting footage of performances, Nyles brought his experiences home with a proposal to Kevin and Chris to start a band.

The Crooners started out on the streets of Paris in 2002, but soon brought their high-powered arrangements of blues and swing classics indoors back in the states. They released their first, self-titled album in 2003 followed by a live album in 2004 both accompanied by relentless European tours.

2006 saw the release of The Crooners first all-original album, “So Many Places.” Recorded at the band’s loft in Brooklyn and mastered at Electric Wilburland Studios in Newfield, NY, the album showcases the band’s songwriting and production talents. The album also echoes the band’s of diverse musical interests from Robert Johnson and Fats Waller to Neil Young and The Beatles. “So Many Places” has brought The Crooners acclaim from the press and radio play across the United States and Europe.

In 2007, The Crooners path came to an abrupt halt when Nyles was killed in a New York City subway accident of unknown circumstance. In the years since then, Kevin and Chris have been working with Thomas Bryan Eaton (guest musician on 'So Many Places' - pedal steel guitar) to carry on the spirit of The Crooners while seeking out new directions for the music and experiences gained.