Clint & Co. News and Reviews

News and Reviews

Apparently Clint Cunningham has been around forever, but I haven't encountered him before. My loss. What an entertainer! Many a youngster starting out will envy his effortless rapport with the audience, the charm and charisma he puts into every move, the hearts he captures with every infectious grin. But it's not all about Clint. The Co is just as important and he makes sure you know it. If he says "what a band" once, he says it 20 or more times. And every time it is more than deserved. This is a tight team effort, from the musicians to the stage crew, with excellent sound and lighting, totally spot on, and polished performances. For Midnight Hour the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace is turned into a supper venue, like the old and mourned Sound Stage, with the audience sitting comfortably at tastefully decorated tables. The evening can start with a buffet carvery with an expansive spread of dishes and desserts to die for. Alternatively you can arrive later, get a drink, relax and enjoy the music. The show itself runs for more than two hours with interval, but it feels much shorter. There is plenty of variety in the numbers chosen and everyone has their chance to shine. Some are covers, others are Clint originals, such as Cry Baby Cry and his humorous Little Pub Singer, written about his many years playing on rickety stages in pubs and clubs. It was Richard Loring who recognised the pull of his quirky stage presence. Midnight Hour was first staged at the Sound Stage in 2006 to great acclaim. Now it is back with much the same cast. Peter Hanmer plays guitar and he's a wizard. He even pulls off Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, a number, as Clint points out, written for a full orchestra and a choir. On bass guitar is Mike Dorea, also a maestro, with Larry Rose on drums. These musicians are not spring chickens. They've also been around forever - and it shows. Connie Friedmann joins in on keyboards and sax and two gorgeous girls with sexy outfits and dance moves complete the ensemble. Unlike many bands, Rene Mabotha and Liezel Pieters are not just eye candy gyrating behind mics in the back row. Both have big numbers of their own and prove that they too have more than what it takes to entertain. Probably my favourite number is Total Eclipse of the Heart, rendered movingly by all three singers. Otherwise we are treated to numbers like Midnight Hour, Pinball Wizard, a wonderfully remixed virtuoso performance of Volare, Hotel California, Bed of Roses and many more. Liezel shines in Mercy and Rene goes African with Jabulani and the Brenda Fassie number Vulindlela. There are plenty of brilliant guitar and drum solos too, all linked by Clint's often naughty comments and stories. He was once a "little pub singer, trying to be bigger", he says in his own song, "... a joy bringer". Now that he is indeed.

Clint & Co.’s Midnight Hour will rock you 11 December 2009 Jennifer de Klerk, Artslink.co.za

Thunderstruck June to August 2011 The Globe, Gold Reef City Thunder rumbled in at The Globe at Gold Reef City Casino South African rocker Clint Cunningham led a dynamic band of talented rock musicians for Thunderstruck, a thunderous celebration of rock at The Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City Casino. The show ran every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for 12 weeks!

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Clint Cunningham and Co are Thunder Struck Review by Alberton Record 3 August 2011 The RECORD gets up close and personal with.... CLINT and Co came into existence nine years ago after they were originally called Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band. Clint and his band grew very close over the years and they later became known as Clint and Co. “The name stuck,” says Clint. They do about 150 to 200 shows a year. Currently they are performing at Gold Reef City’s Globe Theatre. The show is called Thunder Struck and is a show not to be missed, with Clint’s wonderful stage presence and the band’s talents you will be left in awe. One of his many fans, Johan Kruger, has seen Clint’s show three times already and is looking forward to seeing it again. His passion for music comes from deep within. “It is who I am, why I was born and what I love the most,” says Clint. The public and Clint’s fans can expect a TV show about a Travelling Band. Other than the busy life he lives on stage, Clint is a dad and an adored father to his girls. He also finds time to look at the wild side. A keen motorbike enthusiast he says, “I am nuts about bikes, especially BMW adventure bikes and trans Africa trips with my tent and fellow bikers. I have just come back from Lake Malawi.” Talking about lakes, there is a lake in Zimbabwe named after Clint’s family, Lake Cunningham. He is also directly related to General Koos de la Rey. He lives by his own motto, which could inspire not only Clint, but many others, “There is only one person responsible for my present set of circumstances - me,” says Clint. When he was asked what makes Clint, Clint replied, “My family and the stage.” _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

The hit show, Travelling Band was a first time Barnyard production with Clint & Co., featuring songs and stories about being on the road and rocking down the highway. Travelling Band featured Clint with his four-piece band together with Connie Friedmann (keyboards and saxophone) and Rene Mabotha (lead female vocalist and dancer). The show ran at Menlyn, Pretoria and Cresta, Randburg Barnyards and played 6 nights a week for 7 weeks!

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Best of Clint & Co. 3 February 2012 - The Lyric Theatre Gold Reef City, Johannesburg

Best of Clint & Co. 12 November 2011 - Winston Churchill Theatre, Pietermaritzburg _____________________________________________________________________________________ A passionate and wonderful entertainer with a massive voice, Clint Cunningham is here to stay. "Ultimately, Cunningham`s mission to create great rock music in the name of fun is a refreshing change in a world of pop idols and posturing. With boy bands and wannabe singers dominating our air waves, Cunningham and his sidekicks are emerging as one of the few real-deal, no frills bands on the local music scene."

This highly entertaining show has proven to be a great success at various prominent musical theatres across Southern Africa. Many corporate functions have been brought to life by the party atmosphere and musical talents of these highly skilled musicians due in part to their uncanny ability to sound like the original Creedence Clearwater Revival Band. The deep South roots and swamp pop rockabilly sounds are brilliantly captured as one is swept away by “Bad Moon Rising”, “Proud Mary”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and many other old favourites. This show has proven to be a great success at many entertainment venues with well over a 300 shows under their belt, performances at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, The Showcase Theatre North Riding, The Performer Theatre Pretoria, all the Barnyard Theatres, Richard Loring's Sound Stage and many high profile corporate events, from Sun City Superbowl to La Toscana at Monte Casino. Clint & Co. has entertained patrons in Maputo in Mozambique, the Aardklop Music Festival in Potchefstroom, KKNK in Oudtshoorn, InniBos in Nelspruit and performed to over 3500 people at the Celebration Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. 38 Years after the original CCR brought their unique brand of music to the world, Clint & Co. is keeping the torch burning.

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