Ding dong merrily and pie.

Do you know, it seems only a year since last year's Cranberrys Christmas Cracker of Celebrations. Well it's that time again and we have a Xmas show that is bigger and better than last year. A lovely intimate venue. A well stocked bar...serving the delicious Cranberry Cocktail, which is guaranteed to put hair on your chest and a festive swagger....the men too. We have sandwiches, chips and mince pies to tantalize your taste buds. We have a fantastic raffle ....star prize a snooker table! We have music from all eras....in fact so much to play...that if they were presents, we would need miles of paper and tape ( Cranberry Christmas tip. Wrap your Xmas presents in baking foil...it's shiny, holds itself together round any object...and when present removed...you can use it to cook the turkey!. I love turkey...I always ask for the back legs. So join us and start chrimbo with a swing at The Park Risley....8pm start tickets only £5. It really wouldn't be Christmas without a good dollop of Cranberry.

Cherry on the Cranberry cake

To play in a stately home, is a privilege....to play in it twice is an honour. Kelham Hall deep in Robin Hood country...is a magnificent building, set in acres of beautiful grounds.  Two weeks previous, we had played for a vintage wedding Favre, setting up in a smaller room. Yesterday, we all hit the road at 7 am to play for the Vintage Fayre. Armed with gallons of coffee, we set up on the stage in the magnificent domed hall. Acoustically astounding, we started our first set at 10.30 am as the public flocked to browse the Vintage wares. They sang along to Minnie the Moocher. Jived to Jumping East of Java...and pleaded with the organisers for us to do an extra set!!!! Only willing to please, we went back on and did more great numbers. A jive demonstration class in a room further in the hall, decided not to.dance to backing tracks..but to join us in the main hall, giving an outstanding display of jump jive.A few of us went back with empty wallets, after buying shirts and coats and cake and sausage cobs. A great day for the Band...a truly entertaining day for the public. Cranberry Flick....coming to a town near you soon.

Spread a little happiness

Another fantastic gig at the Risley Park. The venue had forgotten to put the dance floor down.. but our audiences are very brave...and risked axminster carpet burns to boogy the night away. From waltzes to jive...everyone had a great time..New numbers trialled for first time...and you could sense the concentration in the orchestra pit...Fever and It had to be you...greatly pleased the crowd. One lady sat at a table...smiled all night. It was either the vodka, or the happiness we were spreading. More music to come at our Xmas extravaganza on Dec 19th. Live music. Sarnies...chips and mince pies...all for £5. Book your tickets asp as they are sure to.go faster than Santa's sleigh over Syria.

Big chief success

Sunday started grey and miserable as I rolled out of bed. I heard the sound of snap crackle of pop in the morning and that's just my knees. After a cold shower, I leapt into my Cranberry  outfit ( no not red, but the clothes I wear in the Band) loaded the car with bass and bone...and set off for the gig.....returning 5 minutes later to collect my amp. Today Cranberry  Flick were playing at Treetops Hospice in Risley. A vintage fayre, to raise funds for the hospice. For the first time in Cranberrys history, we played in  a tepee??? A duo were already playing, as we quietly set up behind them...not easy with a 7 piece band. On the stroke of 2 we launched into our first number...Jersey Bounce. On the first note...suddenly the sun came out. The audience were sat on bails of hay...the crowds left the various stalls as we provided a show , that was second to none. They tapped their feet to Tainted love....they swayed to Tequila...they sang along to Minnie the Moocher.....a 45 minute set that ended up nearly an hour-long. The most important thing...the hospice made more money than last year!!!. Cranberry Flick...not just a Band....but an experience.

Playing in the Park

Wow.Wow.Wow. Tonight's gig at the Risley Park ..was a real gamble. A new band..a new venue ..but hearts sank, as 15 minutes before the start of the dance...only 4 people in the audience...but the show must go on....but by 8pm we had a full house. Almost as if a coach party had turned up! The crowd were buzzing and the band on fire. From Jersey bounce to the finale of Valerie...the audience savored every last note. No dance floor...but people danced. The whole band were drenched with sweat, as they played their hearts out to a wonderful bunch of music lovers. Lots of lovely compliments at the end...with one recurring question...when will we be back....well just like Schwarzenegger...we will be...and very soon. Watch this space....now where's my motorcycle and Sun glasses...asta la Vista Cranberry Flick.

Countdown to Cranberry

Every crochet has been finally dissected. Every mimim has been played to its full potential. The staves have been polished. The  mezzo fortes honed to perfection. The codas are in place. Cranberry Flick are ready and raring to go. This Monday folks, live in Concert at the Risley Park. Join us for an amazing night of jaw dropping entertainment from the Midlands most exciting new Band on the scene. Retro rock romance and rhythm. Forget the Monday blues...come dance to the real blues,swing and jive. The fun starts at 8pm. Raffle and Bar.

Au naturale

A technical rehearsal for Cranberry tonight. The whole works. All PA all monitors all acoustic shields ...but no clothes. By that, I don't mean we will be playing Tainted love naked!!! But we won't be wearing our retro kit. Ted would have nowhere to store his wallet anyway . Joking apart. If you have a loose end tonight,! Why not drive to to down town spondon and a little beer distillery called The Vernon Arms and see how we put the flick  into cranberry. Would be great to see you for a pint. 8 don't be late.

The boys ( and girl) are back in town.

Very excited to be back in rehearsal next week with Cranberry Flick. We were going to be playing at the Sausage in Cider festival, but have withdrawn our Bratwurst, as they seem to be having a few communication problems. Our next gig will be on Aug 22nd at The Risley Park. We have new numbers to try. Old numbers to tweak..and a browse round Fugue Music in breaks. Musicians rehearsing in a music shop!!! Its like an Aladins cave of musical wonders...the only next best thing would be to rehearse in a pub....oh we are.  Coming soon to the Vernon Arms Spondon. Watch this space..you will be warmly welcomed to watch how we put a show together. You will be warmly welcomed to buy us drinks. You will be hugged if you buy a CD.

Going to the ball.

We are extremely excited as a Band, to be playing at the Risley Park on Aug 22nd. Formally known as the Blue Ball, the venue has been host to many exciting bands and genre of music. For over 20 years it has been the Residency of the renowned Risley Big Band and many top jazz ensemble's. With a licenced bar and superb restaurant, why not make it a special evening and dine before you dance. If successful, we hope to appear regularly on stage at this fine music emporium. Free to get in...free to get out. As Paul McCartney once said of Cranberries Bass player Glenn. Who ?

First Step.

A mighty blogging welcome to Cranberry Flicks new readers. My name is Glenn and I am extremely proud to be the Bass player within the mighty CF band. I am predominantly a trombone player and play both when required ( not at same time. I tried and broke my G string) Cranberry Flick was formed over three years ago by the foresight of  our Tenor player Ken and our vocalist Angie. The band play a cocktail of swing jive and blues and there really is something for everyone. I have only been in the Band just over two years and in that time have played for weddings, beer festivals , charity functions and xmas dances. This new a dynamic band has a much different approach to other bands with its flexibility of genre's of music. Cab Caloway, Amy Winehouse, Glenn Miller, Paloma Faith...Peter Kay!!! (Yes you read that right) to name a few. I hope to keep you informed about the bands journey and welcome you aboard to join us as we hit the highway on our musical adventure. X