"Lazy Day" by Peter Kruse - Music Video

Peter Kruse's music is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc. Featuring MarkGil Butchoy Buenviaje on percussion, Adrian Blackstock as actor / co producer, Rue Moyer on vocals and Graham Kemish on violin.

Short Stories and Writings by Peter Kruse

Remembering Uncle Rob Eggers

The Most Sophisticated Sport

Free Hugs

Electric Bike in a Tropical Storm - a China Experience

A Glimpse of Heaven - Short Story about 2011 Blizzard

Fake Churches

The Sunday Paper - Short Story

All Men are Superficial - Funny Short Story

I Need You Now - Funny Short Story

Error in Translation - Funny Short Story

A Bad Impression - Funny Short Story

Peeing on Trees - Funny Short Story

Unashamed Naked People - Funny Short Story

Awkward Dating Moment - Funny Short Story

"Monterey" by Peter Kruse - featuring Markgil Buenviaje and "Bro Philemon"!

Photo taken in Monterey, California by Heidi Olson.

Click Here to Purchase "Monterey"
Thanks for your support!

(My music is also available for free listening on Spotify)

Bro Philemon is featured on this song as a guest vocalist. Bro Philemon won the 2013 African Gospel Award for Artist of the Year in Asia! Bro Philemon recently traveled to England to receive the award and perform interviews for several radio stations and TV networks. I met Philemon at church, and was immediately struck by his incredible musicianship and positive demeanor

Since 2006, Mark Gil " Butchoy" Buenviaje has been performing drums 5 nights a week at the Terrace - the most popular band in Shenzhen, China. Mark was kind enough to lend his percussion talents to this song! 

Oh Mother How Pretty the Moon Looks Tonight - Chords, Lyrics and MP3

Chords, lyrics and description below  :-)


Click Here to Download this Song on Amazon

        C                                   C

Oh, mother, how pretty the moon looks tonight

              C           G7           C
She was never so cunning before

       C                                    C        

Her two little horns are too sharp and so bright

    C                      G7             C              C7
I hope they'll not grow any more.

   F                                   C

If I were up there with you and the moon

          F                                     C
We'd rock in it nightly, you see.

         Am                               C
We'd sit in the middle and hold to both ends

         C                G                       C
Oh, what a fine cradle 'twould be!

         C                                 C
We'd call to the stars to get out of our way,

          C                      G             C
'Lest we should rock over their toes.

        C                                           C
And there we would stay 'til the dawn of the day

         C                   G                  C       C7
And see where the pretty moon goes.

   F                                   C

If I were up there with you and the moon

          F                                     C
We'd rock in it nightly, you see.

         Am                               C
We'd sit in the middle and hold to both ends

         C                G                       C
Oh, what a fine cradle 'twould be!

          F                                         C

And there we would sit in that beautiful sky,

         F                                                          C 

and through the bright clouds we would roam.

        Am                                   C

We watch the sun set, and watch the sun rise,

       C                  G                        C

and on the next rainbow come home.

Information about this Song:

Peter Kruse is singing and playing ukulele in this song. Michael Aukofer is on upright bass, accordion, bells, background vocals and autoharp. This is an old children's song based on a poem that appeared in Eliza Lee Follen's book in 1832 (Link 1) (Link 2). Eliza Lee Follen can not be confirmed as the author, however, as she often included anonymous traditional poems in her book. My grandfather, who was number 9 of 13 kids, learned a version of this song at a barn dance in South Dakota when he was a child. He and his siblings remembered what they could, and taught their version to my dad, who taught it to my siblings and me.

Jesus Be the Center - Tab and Chords

For larger font or to print, right click on the tab and then click "open link in new window". Then in the new window, you can print out the tab, or zoom in to view it better.

"Sundown" - 8 New Songs

All songs written, performed, produced and engineered by Pete Kruse unless otherwise noted.

1) "The Night is Young"


Click Here to Purchase "The Night Is Young"

"The Night is Young" is a song I wrote while living in China in early 2013. This song is in an alternate guitar tuning called open-C, and it includes accordion and ukulele (in the chorus). The lyrics are about visiting upper-peninsula Michigan with my family at a camp called Gitchee Gumee. "Gitchee Gumee" is the Native American name for Lake Superior.

2) "Sundown"


Click Here to Purchase "Sundown"

"Sundown" features Atoi Glennette on background vocals and Michael Aukofer on percussion.

3) "Where You'll Find Me"
  Click Here to Purchase "Where You'll Find Me"

"Where You'll Find Me" is my newest song, and was written in China with a ukulele I purchased here recently. This song is inspired by several trips with some close friends to a local beach (Dongchong Beach in Shenzhen), where we attempted surfing for the first time.

4) "Walk With Me"
  Click Here to Purchase "Walk With Me"

"Walk With Me" is meaningful to me because it includes guest performances by most of my siblings and my friend, Michael Aukofer. It features Caleb Kruse on harmonica and background vocals, Aubree Kruse on vocals, Lauren Kruse on vocals and Michael Aukofer on percussion.

5) "A Thousand Miles"


Click Here to Purchase "A Thousand Miles"

"A Thousand Miles" is also very meaningful to me because it reunites members from my old band, Rufus Tree. It features former Rufus Tree members Ashley Vargas and Jed Harrison on vocals. Also performing on this song are Michael Aukofer on vocals and accordion and Kyle Baker on vocals.

6) "Hide Away"


Click Here to Purchase "Hide Away"

"Hide Away" is a hammered dulcimer instrumental with acoustic guitar and cello providing some musical "color".

7) "Shoreline"


Click Here to Purchase "Shoreline"

"Shoreline" is a co-write hammered dulcimer duet Michael Aukofer and Pete Kruse.

8) "July Sun"


Click Here to Purchase "July Sun"

"July Sun" is an acoustic guitar instrumental similar to my previous song, "Copper Harbor".

Original Tropical Songs by Peter Kruse - Thanks for Listening!

1) "Where You'll Find Me"

Click Here to purchase "Where You'll Find Me"

"Where You'll Find Me" was written in China with a ukulele I purchased here recently. This song is inspired by several trips with some close friends to a local beach (Dongchong Beach in Shenzhen), where we attempted surfing for the first time. 

2) "Monterey"

Photo taken in Monterey, California by Heidi Olson.

Click Here to Purchase "Monterey"

This song is about a city called Monterey, located on the beautiful Pacific beaches of central California. It features Ghana recording artist "Bro Philemon" and Filipino drummer virtuoso Markgil Buenviaje.

3) "Lazy Day"
 Click Here to Purchase "Lazy Day"

Written by Peter Kruse on the beaches of southeast China, this tropical ukulele song is about spending a lazy Saturday in the sun. Featuring MarkGil Butchoy Buenviaje on cajon, Rue Moyer on vocals and Graham Kemish on violin

4) "Sundown"



Click Here to Purchase "Sundown"

"Sundown" features Atoi Glennette on background vocals and Michael Aukofer on percussion.

5) "Walk With Me"
  Click Here to Purchase "Walk With Me"

"Walk With Me" is meaningful to me because it includes guest performances by most of my siblings and my friend, Michael Aukofer. It features Caleb Kruse on harmonica and background vocals, Aubree Kruse on vocals, Lauren Kruse on vocals and Michael Aukofer on percussion.

"A Bad Impression" - Funny Short Story

Here in China, not too long ago, I was meeting a girl near the local university campus for some tea. As I was standing there, a man to my left walked up and started shouting at someone. He was getting closer to me, but I could tell he was angry at someone else near the university gate (to my right). Eventually he walked away and a different man came from behind the gate and started shouting back at the the first man. After a few minutes, the 2nd man walked away and the original man came back, this time waving two large knives in the air (I later found out that he had just stolen the knives from a local restaurant). Around that time, I decided I should probably choose a different place to wait. Yet I was too late. The guy with the knives started walking towards me, and in Chinese he asked for my phone. As I was handing him my phone, about a dozen policemen showed up. The man kindly gave me back my cell phone and dropped his knives, knowing he was outnumbered. Yet the cops noticed the man giving me something, so they also thought that I was somehow involved, and they were also getting ready to arrest me. Fortunately, the guy with the knives defended me (verbally). Yet I could tell that the cops weren't completely convinced, and they started approaching me again. The guy who was being arrested looked my way and told me to "Go! go! go!". So I did, and as I was running from about a dozen cops, my date shows up. Fortunately, the cops were more concerned about the guy with the knives than with me, so they didn't pursue me much. But I'm not sure I could have left a worse impression with the girl I was meeting!

by Pete Kruse

Kesha "Die Young" tabs - Sungha Jung style

"Die Young" by Kesha (CAPO 4)

Arranged by Pete Kruse

New Song! "The Night is Young"

I wrote this song about my family's trips to Gitchee Gumee Bible Camp in Upper Peninsula, Michigan. It's a beautiful part of the country! I hope you enjoy it!

Click Here to Purchase "Gitchee Gumee"

new "A Gain of Ten" album called "To You" released today!

The new "A Gain of Ten" album titled "To You" is out on iTunes, Amazon, etc. for only $8.99! I was happy to get to perform bass guitar, hammered dulcimer and some acoustic for this album.  Here are the links as well as a short video with some clips from the new album:

iTunes - Click Here
Amazon mp3 - Click Here

New Video "Sundown"

New Song "Sundown"!

"Sundown" (featuring Atoi Glennette and Michael Aukofer) by petekruse

Click Here for iTunes Link

Click Here for Amazon mp3 Link

"Hide Away" by Peter Kruse Featured on "AbletonOP"

"Hide Away" is one of my original hammered dulcimer songs from my album "Sundown". A while back I noticed it had been garnering hundreds of listens in a short time, and I had no idea why until today. A comment was left on that song which said that www.abletonOP.com featured my song in a tutorial. I encourage you to check out that tutorial if you use Ableton software and are looking for a good hammered dulcimer sound (Link)!

Click Here to purchase "Hide Away"

This reminds me of when the giant social news blog Mashable used my band Rufus Tree's song to announce the release of Xanga Audio (Link). When Mashable initially announced the release, they used a Rufus Tree song I wrote on their blog. Since then, Xanga has gotten rid of their audio feature, so the link on Mashable is broken. But here's the old Rufus Tree song that Mashable featured:

Peter Kruse Audio

All of the below songs are available for purchase in Peter's Music Store. Thanks much for listening! All songs copyright Peter Kruse.

"Sundown" (featuring Atoi Glennette and Michael Aukofer) by petekruse
"Sundown" features Michael Aukofer on percussion and Atoi Glennette on BGV's

 This I Know by petekruse
This I Know features Michael Aukofer on percussion and Keys and Aaron Graunke on BGV's

Shoreline (cello and hammered dulcimer) by petekruse
Shoreline is a co-write by Pete Kruse and Michael Aukofer. Features Michael Aukofer and Pete Kruse both on hammered dulcimer.

A thousand Miles by petekruse
"A Thousand Miles" features Michael Aukofer on accordion and additional vocals. Also features vocals by Jed Harrison, Ashley Vargas and Kyle Baker.

Hide Away - Original Hammered Dulcimer by petekruse

"Walk With Me" by petekruse
Walk With Me features Lauren Kruse on BGV's, Aubree Kruse on BGV's, Caleb Kruse on harmonica and BGV's , Michael Aukofer on percussion

"Walk With Me" by Pete Kruse

Features Michael Aukofer on percussion, Aubree Kruse and Lauren Kruse on BGV's and Caleb Kruse on BGV's and harmonica. By Pete Kruse

Click Here to Purchase "Walk With Me"

New Single! "Walk With Me"

I'm excited to announce a new original song! It features Caleb Kruse on harmonica and background vocals, Aubree Kruse on background vocals, Lauren Kruse on background vocals and Michael Aukofer on percussion. I hope you enjoy it! :) 


This song is also available on iTunes and Amazon mp3 for anyone interested. I pasted the links below. Thanks much for listening!

Click Here to Purchase "Walk With Me"

"Christmas Eve in Sarajevo" Trans-Siberian Orchestra Cover

Peter Kruse Bio

Hammered dulcimer, ukulele, banjo, accordion, mandolin and harmonica are some of the instruments you will hear when listening to the music of Peter Kruse. Artists such as Jack Johnson and Iron and Wine might come to mind when listening to Peter's honest and organic sound. 

Many guest musicians have lent their talent to Peter's songs, including Ghana award winning artist Bro Philemon, award winning composer Michael Aukofer and popular Chicago singers Atoi Glennette and Aaron Graunke

Peter Kruse has been blessed with a rich musical experience in Chicago based bands "Rufus Tree" and "A Gain of Ten". During Peter's time in Rufus Tree, he had the honor of performing oversees for U.S. troops and opening for many artists such as Life House, Sonic Flood, Blind Melon and the Normals. Also, Grammy nominated guitarist Phil Keaggy performed on two songs from the band's "Dying to Live" album. Dove Award winner Mitch McVicker also sang on two tracks from that album. 

Peter had the privilege of headlining a show at the legendary Metro venue in Chicago with his previous band "A Gain of Ten". Around that time, they were asked to record a song for a CD honoring the late Deep-Purple guitarist, Tommy Bolin. This CD was reviewed positively by many publications including Yahoo Music and Classic Rock Review.

In China, Peter opened for the best selling artist in Chinese history, 费翔 as well as 费玉清. Peter was also recently featured on 102.3 FM, a popular Chicago radio station.

• 2021 - Original song "Walk With Me" featured in documentary about Rich Mullins.
• 2019-2020 - Created several new original music videos as well as videos for Spraycan Picaso. Performed all over Chicagoland with James Bruebach.
• 2018 - Published first book, "2 and 3 Chord Ukulele Songs!" Performed live with James Tan on 102.3 FM for a benefit concert. Peter Kruse and Michael Aukofer's original song "Shoreline" was featured in "Dulcimer Player News" magazine's February issue. 
• 2017  - Finished 5th studio album "Ocean View." Made music video for Ocean View, filmed in China.
• 2016  - Finished 4th studio album "Breath of Life." Engineered and co-wrote songs for bands "Spraycan Picaso" and "Penitent Thieves."
• 2015 - Co-wrote 2 songs with top Ghana Gospel artist Bro Philemon. In China, opened for the best selling artist in Chinese history, 费翔 as well as 费玉清 (link). Released three music videos. Featured in Shenzhen's biggest English newspaper, Shenzhen Daily (Link).
• 2014 - Released 3rd solo album, "Sundown". This album featured a hammered dulcimer co-write "Shoreline" with award-winning songwriter Michael Aukofer. Produced and engineered songs for upcoming artists Zach Olson and Carly Fraser. 
• 2013 - Performed Christmas concerts with Leonard Ahlstrom from Grammy nominated band New Song.
• 2011 - Headlined at the legendary Metro venue in Chicago with A Gain of Ten. Performed acoustic and bass guitar on a Gain of Ten's album, "To You."
• 2010 - Performed on one song of the album "Mister Bolin's Late Night Revival." This album received recognition from many publications  including Yahoo Music (Link).
• 2009 - Released 2nd solo album, "A time and a Place".
• 2007 - Earned Bachelor's Degree in music from Judson University.
• 2006 - Released first solo album, "Not that Far". With band Rufus Tree, opened for Grammy-nominated bands Blind Melon and Lifehouse.
• 2005 - Performed Christmas concert for US Navy in Japan for 2nd time. Wrote and recorded songs for Rufus Tree's 2nd album, "Dying to Live". This album featured Grammy-nominated guitarist Phil Keaggy and Dove Award winner Mitch McVicker.
• 2004 - Invited by the US Navy to perform for troops in Japan with band Rufus Tree.
• 2003 - Opened for popular Christian artists Sonic Flood, the Normals, Satellite Soul and Derek Webb from Caedmons Call.
• 2002 - Rufus Tree featured in Chicago's Daily Herald (Link).
• 2001 - Wrote and recorded songs for Rufus Tree's first album (self titled). This album featured Alathea, Michael Aukofer and Sixpence None the Richer / DC Talk's engineer Russ Long.
• 1999 - Earned "Louis Armstrong Award for Musical Excellence" in High school Jazz Band.
• 1996 - Met the late-great Christian artist Rich Mullins and became inspired to begin learning the hammered dulcimer.

How I Got Into Music

Growing up, my family would have "devotions", which was a time set aside to read the Bible and sing some hymns. My dad would always play guitar, and sometimes, I would try to strum along, though I didn't know any chords.

When I was thirteen, my oldest brother David came home one night with an ugly hot pink electric guitar that somebody was trying to get rid of. Fortunately for me, the guitar was so ugly that he also eventually wanted to get rid of it. A good friend of mine happened to have some drum sticks and some tin cans, and we immediately started writing "music" together.

Around that same time, my brother Caleb encouraged me to audition for bass guitar in high school jazz band. I was excited to make the band, and this began a long tradition of Caleb and I performing music together. After four years of being in jazz band, I earned a Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for “musical excellence”.

This helped encourage me to continue to pursue music, so after high school I studied music at Judson University in my home town of Elgin, receiving a bachelor’s degree with a focus on Music Performance in 2007. During this time I completed my internship under award-winning composer and respected producer Michael Aukofer. I have had the privilege of co-writing some songs with Michael, most notably "Shoreline (cello version)"

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Peter Kruse

July Sun - Original Instrumental and Photography