TV beckons young man’s digital music
One of the great joys of journalism is being able to bring you exciting news of young people who are making a real difference in the community.
Cru Egeland is one of these success stories.
On Tuesday afternoon, I drove to a Spokane Valley home and listened in slack-jawed amazement as the 15-year-old Central Valley High School freshman performed a Brenda Lee holiday chestnut by squeezing musical tones out of his hands.
Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop.
“Squeak-a-squeak squeak, a squeak-a squeak…”
That is definitely different.
“Oh. My. God. That’s the best one he does,” said a proud Shelly Egeland of her son’s yuletide rocking.
Please. A little respect here. Cru’s hand-squeezing virtuosity may not win him a scholarship to one of those snooty music conservatories, but there are far greater rewards than that.
Today, the four members of the Egeland family leave for Burbank, Calif., where Cru has been booked for something not even Mozart accomplished during his lifetime: A Friday hand-squeezing appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
“It’s not really hit me yet,” said Cru when I asked him if any pre-show jitters had set in. “But I know it will.”
Cru’s dad, Kevin, had a lot to do with his son landing the “Tonight Show” gig.
A professional video producer, Kevin put together a hilarious DVD of his son’s unusual talent and sent it off to the show. The short film also features a cameo appearance by Ashley, Cru’s older sister. You can watch the video at spokesmanreview.com/dougclark.
According to the show’s Web site, Leno is always looking for a young guest with a clever invention, weird collection or a unique talent that would play well on TV.
Kevin said that he was told that Cru will perform in a segment called “Teenage Wasteland,” which will supposedly feature a pianist who plays upside down and another kid doing something bizarre with a wheelbarrow.
If this isn’t ratings gold, then I’ve wasted a lot of couch time in front of my television.
“The Tonight Show” receives untold thousands of requests from people itching for a fame fix. Although few make the cut, Cru had the right stuff.
I believe I speak for music educators the world over when I say that it’s about time that a hand squeezer got the recognition that is so long overdue.
Cru would be the first to tell you that he is no overnight success.
It was way back in second grade, in fact, when Cru discovered this unique talent he possessed. He could produce surprisingly loud flatulent noises by cupping his palms and pressing them together.
“At first I thought it was terribly annoying,” noted Shelly.
Beethoven, too, was probably misunderstood in the beginning.
Many boys would have been satisfied with the envy and status that comes with being a one-person whoopee cushion.
Not Cru. He spent years practicing and searching for more. The big breakthrough came two years ago when Cru managed to squeeze out a pitch-perfect rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Then came others like “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Jingle Bells” and the Central Valley High School fight song.
“Axel F,” the frenetic song from the 1984 hit movie “Beverly Hills Cop” is Cru’s showstopper. He will probably perform it Friday night.
Aside from all this, Cru appears to be an unaffected lad with the normal interests of youth: golf, drumming with the pep band and playing Texas Hold’em hour after hour with friends.
When the weather warms, Cru runs his own Cru-Cuts lawn-cutting service. He also looks forward to his first job as a wedding musician when he can squeeze out a soulful “Here Comes the Bride.”
Yes, the future looks wide open for this musical hand squeezer. Plus, it’s not like there’s a lot of competition.
As Dad Kevin noted:
“Friday, Leno. Next week – who knows?”