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Cranford & Sons

Rank #1 Hilton Head Island, SC Rock / Lowcountry Stomp

50% of sales go to the charity Fender Music Foundation.

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About

Members: John Cranford Vox/Guitar, Eric Reid Fiddle, Phil Sirman Bass

Sounds Like: Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Mumford and Sons, The Black Keys, Johnny Cash

Label: Swampfire Records

Manager: Nick Castricone

Bio: Fiddle, Big Bass, Foot Stompin Drums and Resonator Guitar.
Dirty Grit Rockabilly-Blues-Folk-Explosion.
Straight from the heart of the Lowcountry...

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Status

: Photo: Kitty. http://t.co/FaxysAssfH

Press

"what they're doing is regularly filling crowded bars full of revelers eager to dance along to their energetic, fiddle-driven sound. "

— Stratton Lawrence, Charleston City Paper

“Cranford and Sons was inspired by Sanford and Sons, not Mumford...”

— PATRICK DONOHUE, Island Packet

“All lifelong musicians, the four had settled on Hilton Head Island with regular gigs in different bands. But they joined together to start a group that had a foot in the past. They write many original songs in the bluegrass or blues tradition and also refashion old tunes. Their upcoming album, expected to be released shortly, was recorded on tape, not digitally. It gives it a vintage sound the band goes for. The instrumentation is basic. Aside from some amplification, it's just them and their instruments on stage when playing live. "It's very raw," Cranford said. "That's what I like about this band." ”

— JUSTIN PAPROCKI, The Island Packet

“And what they're doing is regularly filling crowded bars full of revelers eager to dance along to their energetic, fiddle-driven sound. Bassist Phil Sirmans often plays a custom "banjo" bass named Jamama, while Randy Rockalotta handles drum duties ("Rockalotta" isn't his birth name, but Cranford claims that the drummer holds a checking account with the adopted moniker). Violinist Eric Reid adds the Celtic and bluegrass touches to Cranford's originals, which vary from fast-paced, Flogging Molly-esque rock-jigs like "East Virginia" to more pop-country tunes like "Radio," a tune with shrimp boat, Gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Katrina imagery that's chock-full of a hit song's catchy-vibes, even on the first listen.”

— Stratton Lawrence, Charleston City Paper

“Here’s the cool thing. I was fortunate enough to watch the crew play live and unplugged during their photo shoot, set along the May River, with Spanish moss dripping from every tree limb, only furthering the mystique of their sound. Cranford’s vocals are, in fact, gritty and gravely, with an old 45 record quality to them. And I mean that in a good, no, in a great way. Cranford was indeed stomping his foot to the beat of the song. Reid played his fiddle with his head tucked, while his fingers moved deftly. It was as if he was also watching his instrument for its cues. His voice, paired with Cranford’s, speaks to the old-fashioned sound that they are working so hard to re-invent. Standing tall with his banjo bass is Sirman. The two could almost be dance partners—musician and instrument both showing off their chops, shining, and then receding in deference to each other. With a crooked grin on his face, Rockalotta plays his drums, He is clearly having fun.”

— Courtney Hampson, CH2

“The term “sons” also works in the ancestral sense of the musical origins they draw from and their commitment to embrace the music of their grandparents and generations passed, Cranford said. “That music is the foundation of everything being played right now, and it even goes further than our grandparents — it goes to our ancestors. Eric’s fiddle playing is heavily influenced by Celtic and Appalachian music. Phil’s upright banjo bass is a throwback to handcrafted mountain instruments. It’s important for us to remember where our roots lie.””

— Shawndra Russell, Savannah Now

“Cranford & Sons is producing a different sound, one you haven’t heard since your grandparents were spinning their old 45s in the basement. It’s an unexpected sound that speaks volumes about the men of the band and their mindset. So in 2011, some may find it odd that a gang of 20-and 30-somethings are dusting off the tunes of the dust bowl. Especially when, like the rest of us, they are living on “island time” where the flavor of the day at most bars is beach music, Buffet, and the requisite Sweet Caroline. Instead of going with the flow, Cranford & Sons is swimming upstream, to the beat of an 1845 fiddle (no kidding), all in an effort to make people feel something. Their generation (our generation) is suffering. We’re in the midst of our own depression/recession—whatever the pundits call it—so it only seems apropos that Cranford & Sons sing about it.”

— Courtney Hampson , CH2 Monthly

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Wed
May 22

The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US | 10:00pm
The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US
Wed May 22 10:00pm
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Summer Residency at The Boardroom.
Wed
May 29

The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US | 10:00pm
The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US
Wed May 29 10:00pm
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Summer Residency at The Boardroom.
Wed
Jun 5

The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US | 10:00pm
The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US
Wed Jun 05 10:00pm
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Summer Residency at The Boardroom.
Wed
Jun 12

The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US | 10:00pm
The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US
Wed Jun 12 10:00pm
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Summer Residency at The Boardroom.
Wed
Jun 19

The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US | 10:00pm
The Boardroom
Hilton Head Island, SC, US
Wed Jun 19 10:00pm
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Summer Residency at The Boardroom.

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Comments

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Smith III
Hi, Congratulations! Great music! Could you drop by sometime and support or listen to ours? Put A Stamp On It! Smith III
CHRIZT DIZCIPLE
Great Music!!! Sup Eric!!!! @MrDizciple
MITCH TRU
Sounds real good. Wishin' you all the best!
Lissa Owens
Amazing Fellas! Love love love to my old pal Randy ;-)

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Questions

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Q: live up here in pottstown pa. how can i purchase youre cd's.

A: Sorry for the delayed repsonse...what is your address and we will send you one and you can send a check back or you can download us on itunes ! Thanks for the support !!!!

Asked by anonymous. Answered on Thu May 02 2013

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