Bruce in the USA - The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Thursday February 27, 2025 Time: 7:00pm
The Emerson Center Vero Beach, FL - Tickets Here
Submitted by Matt Ryan - Portrays Bruce Springsteen
Offer us a brief history about your band that may not be found in your bio supplied to us via your website.
We formed Bruce In The USA 20 years ago for a show on the Las Vegas Strip, titled. Bruce In The USA - Matt Ryan & American Dream. We created quite a bit of attention, as we were the only Springsteen tribute in the country, at the time, who impersonated the main characters visually as well as musically. It attracted promoters and agencies who toured us across the country and many parts of the world. Performing in theaters, concert venues, and corporate events. We also perform our show with the countries great symphonies. Titled, Symphonic Springsteen. It’s a beautiful music experience to be a part of.
What is the most interesting experience or story that you and your band have had over the time of your playing together?
When we toured the Netherlands, performing in theaters that were built in the 1700’s. Experiencing different cultures together, making friends all over the world.
Have you met any of the band members from the original group and if so, how have they reacted to your show?
We have had friendship and support from members of the East Street Band. Clarence and Jake Clemons, most of all. We have always presented a respectful show, performing and celebrating these great songs, and the decades of memories attached.
Tribute bands have become tremendously popular throughout the country and there are many covering the same original bands. What about your tribute band makes you stand out from the others that are out there?
There are many, but when we are started, I believe there may have been two in existence. No disrespect to all who are out there, keeping live music alive. Especially the music of Bruce Springsteen. It’s all so positive. Bruce In The USA would be classified as a national touring act, not as a tribute band. It’s a visual and musical recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. A show that performs in PAC’s and large concert venues. We are also completely live, with no recorded tracks. It’s a world class, seven piece band, all playing their instruments and singing live.
What is your favorite song from your repertoire and why? Do you play the same set list at each concert?
We do not play the same set each night. Thankfully, Bruce wrote a huge library of songs to pick from. So we keep the many backbone popular songs in all the time, like “Born To Run” and “Dancing In The Dark”. We mix up the rest of the set so nobody sees the exact same show. My favorite songs change over time. I would say that “Rosalia” and “Born To Run” are definitely up there, always. There was time the song “Factory” really spoke to me. It’s the beauty of the Springsteen lyrics. Depending on what you are going through in life at a certain time, there will be a lyric that Bruce wrote, that will make you think. I’m still finding things in the deeper cuts, where the real Bruce fans live. This music has depth and layers, songs that never get old. That’s an amazing thing to be a part of.
What led you to want to perform this music? Was this group one of your favorite groups growing up or was it just happenstance that led you to play their music?
I never owned a Springsteen album, in my youth. I loved a bunch of the great radio songs, and had a lot of respect for Bruce Springsteen, as a writer, performer, and as a great human being. I spent my early life as a musician, producer and performer in Toronto, Canada. I was offered an opportunity to create and perform the Springsteen character for the Las Vegas show, Legends In Concert. It was always a running joke in life, that I looked and sounded like Bruce, but I never imagined I would actually end up performing the character. That was 24 years ago, and the moment I bought every CD and video I could find. I started listening and studying what I had missed since the early 70s. It blew my mind! It was brilliant. I understood why so many of my friends were obsessed with Bruce’s music, and those amazing live concerts.
Anything new and exciting on the horizon for your group?
We are looking forward to performing with the countries greatest symphonies in 2025. Announcements will be made soon. We are excited to perform in front of 75 piece orchestras, in gorgeous symphony venues. It’s truly an honor.
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