The latest news
Hello and welcome to the latest ‘Cliff As If’ blog.
We are fast approaching Christmas once again although it hardly seems like the last one has passed! Still, it’s always an exciting and busy time for me so I’ll be hoping that I’m on top form.
This year has been another one of growth for ‘Cliff As If’ and the new opportunities that have come my way certainly have opened up my mind to new possibilities in the future. One of those developments has been the coming together of the ‘Cliff As If’ band. It all happened quite by accident really, but thanks to the dedication and hard work of some professional and top musicians I now have a group that is ready to tour with me as required. I’d like to thank John Montague, Nick McNulty, Alex Warick and Keith Brookes for working their socks off with me to produce a superb sound. I’m really excited about the prospect of working with this group more often. As much as I enjoy performing with backing tracks there is really nothing like having a great live band backing me. I have also had the great pleasure working with some more Shadows tribute bands this year, and it looks like I’ll be working with a few more in 2015.
On a sad note I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family and close friends of Alvin Stardust who passed away recently. I was privileged to be his warm up act at the Lincolnshire Showground Motor Home Show Finale at the end of September. We shared a dressing room. Clearly Alvin was very unwell and I had the opportunity to pray for him. He was such a lovely and gracious man who will be sorely missed. The consolation is that he passed on with a strong Christian faith having been introduced to Jesus Christ through Gerald Coates after Cliff Richard had taken Alvin along to a meeting.
So back to this year. I have visited Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Portugal as well as travelling extensively across the UK. I am hoping to go further afield soon, to Australia and New Zealand to be precise as I have offers on the table to consider. My first trip abroad in 2015 will be to Benidorm, Spain in February where I am doing two shows with Tony Christie. Jukebox Promotions have currently left Spain to be back in the UK. Fortunately they have picked up over here from where they left over there and I am enjoying working with them very much. Our shows have included some other amazing tribute acts such as Nige Clarke as Engelbert Humperdink and Tony Lee as Roy Orbison/Gene Pitney. I will be returning to Spain later in 2015 so watch this space for details.
I’ve had some amazing experiences with ‘Cliffagrams’ this year meeting lovely people along the way. I have done birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, hen parties and retirement functions to surprise the unsuspecting celebratees. The usual and wonderful reactions were most memorable and lots of great fun has been had.
All in all 2014 has been a good year for ‘Cliff As If’ and I am optimistic of a bright future for me and all connected with the act.
You can find me on Facebook to keep up to date with all my news: https://www.facebook.com/cliffasif
Finally and more importantly I’d like to thank everyone who works with me behind the scenes and on stage and all those dear family, friends and promoters/agents who continue to support ‘Cliff As If. I could not do it all alone and without the support my act simply could not exist and so I am and always will be eternally grateful.
Thank you for looking in today. God’s peace and blessings be with you always,
Will Chandler
‘Cliff As If’