Yolanda King

Yolanda is an extremely versatile vocalist. While she can get down with the best of them, delivering energetic Pop, Country, and Rock n' Roll performances, her diverse vocal stylings find her equally at ease enveloping audiences with her warm, sultry renditions of Soul and Jazz Standards. Her smooth delivery and easy-listening vocals have delighted a wide range of audiences over the past few years.

In 1991, Yolanda attended The Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California. After graduating with Honors and receiving the Most Outstanding Student Award, Yolanda began working as a demo singer. In 1993, she recorded a song for TV’s Guiding Light called "Let It Ride", which was included on a 'Soap Opera's Greatest Love Songs' compilation CD. Yolanda's version of the song was also submitted and went on to be nominated for Outstanding Original Song at the 1994 Daytime Emmy Awards.

After completeing her education in Los Angeles, Yolanda returned home to Vancouver where, with the support of F.A.C.T.O.R. and the Canadian Heritage Foundation, she recorded her self-titled CD. The CD was distributed to radio stations and retail stores across Canada and the lead single "I’ll Live To Love Again" began to climb the New Country charts in late 1996. In 1997, two of Yolanda’s singles "I’ll Live To Love Again" and "How Am I Gonna Stop Lovin’ You" were selected from over 200 entries, to represent New Canadian Artists on a two-hour special event sent via satellite to radio stations all over Canada. During that same year, Yolanda had the opportunity to tour with multi-award winning Universal recording artists, Farmer’s Daughter. A hectic summer schedule of bookings took her all across Canada, where she performed in front of huge audiences at clubs, arenas, and outdoor festivals such as the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

For the past number of years, Yolanda has taken her new Cabaret-style act on the road with her band "Cruise Control" , dividing her time between land-based performances and overseas contracts, which have included her appearing as a Guest Entertainer on several cruise lines including Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Celebrity Cruise Lines. One of the highlights of her show is a "Tribute to the Music of Nat King Cole". Her recent travels have provided Yolanda with unique opportunities to perform a wide range of music for international audiences, and she continues to leave a lasting impression on people from around the world with her beautiful voice and dynamic stage appeal.

Cruise Control

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.