1943 - 1961 I was born in Hastings New Zealand. Went to Mahora School, Hastings Intermediate, Hastings Boys High.

I did Prelim of Fine Arts, and Higher School C..... worked in the local music store, Sutcliffe's and had taken up the banjo with Bill Baxter... and was playing piano/banjo in my 2nd band called "the Downtown 4" with Ron Lowe on bass, John Threlful on Gtr, Mike Hurlihy on drums.

I also spent 3 yrs with the Hastings Citizens Brass Band. playing side drum in a drum corp.1962 went to Wellington Polytech and studied Industrial Design, Also won a national poster competition from Whitcombe and Tombs.

Played my first gig's at Mon Marie, coffee lounge playing Folk Music, as it was big at the time on the charts. 1963 Worked for the opposition Chez Paree... in Courtney Place.. formed a duo with Bill Watson, worked a few venues and private doo's, also at this time I was in a jazz band called Port Nicholson Jazz band, then started with the Windy City Jazz Band... and got to play for Acker Bilk who was touring.

I saw Louis Armstrong's show at the Wellington Town Hall.... immediately decided to leave art school that night, and decided there and then I will play jazz and do floorshows for a living.

1964 also started with an Italian Band playing mandolino/banjo and vocals....loved Italian Music.. I was working at the time in the Wellington Hospital's morgue, as a morgue attendant... doing post mortems and working with the district coroners office, attending murder investigation and accidents etc. I used to sing a song called Mortuary Blues...got good laughs.

Australia finally called.... I knew I had to get over there, so I left N.Z. on the 9th Dec 1964 on an airline called T.E.A.L (Tasman Empire Airlines)

1965 Was settled into Kings Cross by Jan... got a gig at the Folk Attick (where the Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar is today)... got 10 pounds a night for an hour's spot, and a couple of hours spruiking at the door, "10 cups of coffee free!... come and get folked for just 7 bob" ...got the chance to do my 1st floorshow at the Tabou, and "died" (by the fountain in the centre of the cross).

Started doing the rounds of the Talent Quests...wanted to be a cabaret performer. Decided that I should check out the Gold Coast, as I had a job offered to me by the guy who ran the Chez Paree in Wellington. I worked the Ci Pango, (a folk place, with the string ceiling, in Orchid Ave) It was good, but there were places, I wanted to be in.

I met Bill Rawle from Bill Rawles Hideaway, Cavill Ave (the man who guided me into many venues, over the years)... and he got me the gig at the Beachcomber / Tikki Village for Bernie Elsey. I did 5 shows a week including the famous Sunday Luau, where I had to learn to Compere, walk fire, Polynesian Dancing, and do my own act...all for $60 per week. There were 32 in the cast, including the waitresses.

I also did the shows at the Playroom at Tallebudgera, for Claude Carnell, along with Johnny O'Keefe, Normie Rowe, and all the rockers of the time. Then I did the Late shows for the Night Clubs, including Georges Cabaret and Bicky's Night Club.... things were hectic!

1966 Decided to go to Melbourne as it was the heart of television. Got a job at John Roy V. Allison’s funeral directors, to learn embalming, and the funeral trade…. Ended up becoming a ‘celebrity’...amongst the trade, for the funny things I did. I was known as the ‘Toff’… I don’t know where it came from.

I won New Faces on GTV 9, and was a guest on In Melbourne Tonight, compared by Philip Brady. Graham Kennedy saw the show, and contracted me for 5 years for his shows. Geoff Brookes, (one of the judges on New faces) who owned the Steak Cave, gave me 4 nights a week doing Cabaret. He also sold me out to many venues, and other TV stations, inc the Jimmy Hannan Show, the Club Show, with Mary Hardy.

The Gold Coast called again… went back “home”.

1967 Married a Meter Maid, Kathy Wells (from England). Bill Rawle tied me up to a lamp post for 8 hours in the heart of Surfers Paradise, on my bucks night… I think he knew more than me. A year later I had met Frankie Davidson, one of Aussies’ favourite Mo Award performers. He started me off in Sydney... even put me up for awhile.

1969 finally got to go to Sydney....the big time!!! Frankie Davidson booked me into the Mandarin Club for a week, and did good business out of it...Bookings....a 6 week stint at South Sydney Jnrs in The Minstrel Show with my hero Freddy Morgan—Banjoist, from Spike Jones fame, then support act for Neil Sedaka.

Booked for the Famous Red Garter at the Texas Tavern. Played in the gig for 5 yrs for 9 hours a night at the beginning for 4 nights a week , then did Clubland for the weekend... Maybe 3-5 gigs... My agent was Tony Brady...All Star Artists: Started as a regular on Don Lane Show TCN91970 Mike Walsh show, was the biggest supporter of cabaret artists.... did 5 yrs with the show.

Also started doing commercials for TV and Radio. v/o for many radio commercials and 100%ers TV like: Ajax, Dexsal, Bankcard, Aeroguard, Arnotts, Cambridge. TV Guide. Also cameo roles in ABC Drama, Young Doctors....now established on the lucrative club circuits as a Comedian/Multi Instrumentalist/vocals/Compere.

Toured South East Asia during the Vietnam War time... did all the military bases in Phillopines, Guam, Okinawa, Taipei,... but was cancelled out of Saigon, because I had a change of Personnel in the show, 2 days before my show...The Red Garter from Down Under Show, had to leave Guam…

1972 Married for the second time to Ann Knowland....just doing the rounds, a lot of flying to gigs in the bush....Did a week at the Motor Club... more clubs.

1973 My first child was born, Peta Francine Berry... still at Red Garter.... started doing little jazz gigs.... still doing the clubs.

1974 my second child was born Adam Craig Berry. Headlined at the prestigious Wrest Point Casino for a week. toured extensively with Frankie Davidson (7yrs), Jade Hurley, Brian Davies, Sandy Scott, Col Joy.

1976 Started back into some entertaining Jazz at Forestville RSL on a Sunday morning. The line up was the late Ken Herron, tuba trb, Paul Furness, Clt, the late Tom Baker, trp, tuba , Vonny O’Neil, pno, and myself on bjo/gtr. The Bandwas called “Dr. Fetish and his Marching Orchestra" The cd is available on the "product" page of this site...did 4 yrs, before moving back to the Gold Coast. In the next couple of years, nothing out of the ordinary was happening… just going thru the motions of ‘clubbing’, band gigs, commercials, started a steam cleaners manufacturing franchise with a partner, a heavy from Vegas. Got left holding the baby.

1981—1986 Headed back ‘home’ to the Gold Coast. Did Real Estate, with La Parker Real Estate. Sold a few…. But within weeks had a Sunday gig at Grundy’s Paradise Centre, Paradise Centre, fronting the band…. Was one of the funny times of my life, Mal Badenoch ? had the band, on piano, the late Harry Tuckey, bass . The late Les McGrath, sax/clt and a trumpet player ???? Drummer ???.

In April, got offered the Broadbeach Hotels, Celebrity Room, in a Tits n Feather show, London Follies, ran for a year, did the next 4 years, in 3 other shows there. I completed 487 shows without a night off… thanx to Brian Grant, and Robbie, the stage manager and the cast of 7 dancers. I did an hour of stand up comedy and playing the banjo/balalaika and singing 6 nights a week. And played some jazz when I could.

Also worked in all the school holidays at Dreamworld, playing banjo on the paddle steamer, going around the river. Tyring work.. With screaming kids all day...

1987—1996 formed Craig Berry’s Jazzmania, a 6 pce showband. Players over the 10 yrs duration of the band are: Alan Murray, Andy Macintosh, Vern Moore, Harris T. Tuckey, Geoff Allan, Mike McCormack, Les McGrath, Lothar Shildhorst, Joe Epps, Tommy Nicholson, Col Jones, Peter Uppman, Rudy van Plucking (van Egmont) Denis Ashton, and 35 drummers, and the rememorable are: Geoff Allan, Rick Kent, Moss Carpenter, Bob Watson, and myself on banjo/guitar vocals/funnies.

Did 7ys at Seagulls, 5 yrs at Twin Towns, 3yrs at Club Banora, Jupiters Casino 4 yrs, and 4 yrs at the Wallaby Hotel, 3yrs at Surfers RSL, 2 yrs at Gypsies, 3 yrs at Pacific Fair….opened many many businesses, toured New Zealand, P.N.G., toured NSW, played all the major hotels: Conrad Jupiters Casino...even built our own “ Riverboat set” for conventions, Marriott, Royal Pines, Radisson Resort.

1997 Set myself up in computers and electronic music, this was taking over with the advent of the one man band syndrome. I did lessons for 6 months, in Brisbane, with Peter Peterson. I started at the Don Murphy’s Woodchoppers Inn, Mudgeeraba. I did 3 nights a week, Jazz on a Sunday, and did a stint as Presenter, for 4 yrs on Jazz Radio 94.1 fm, Sanctuary Cove, on a Thursday Drive Time spot.

I renewed the jazz band, and came up with a new group of youngies, called Da Boy’zn Berry Blues Band, featured young Ashley Lewis trombone, and Aaron West, on guitar… both brilliant players for their age… as well as wanting to have a go at the business, and Brian Leechie, on bass. This band worked the Hope Harbour International Resort, Sanctuary Cove. Every Sunday for 3 yrs, then onto the Hyatt Hotel, Sanctuary Cove, for 2 years.

2001 - 2003 nominated for the 4th time for Queensland Entertainer of the year, and won Instrumentalist Performer at the Wallace Awards. Other awards: Gold Coast Pro Musicians Awards 1996 & 1997, Wallace Awards 1999, Instrumentalist of the year. Doing my one man band thing….things going good .

Still at Woodchoppers Inn, still a drivetime presenter on 94.1fm our Gold Coast 24 hour Jazz station. Jazzmania Showband ...still booked each year for The Christmas Lunch, about 800 people, at Jupiter's Casino… at this stage, I think it’s the 14th year this time….(ended up doing 19 Xmas Shows....Must like us. Picking up some good addresses to work, The Grange Golf Club, Marriot, etc

I had, had enough of peoples bad manners, and the so little respect there was in the community, for entertainers.

...and on the Sat 22nd November, 2004, I retired.

2005—2006 I started my dream, to put together a recording studio, that was compatible to jazz. July 2006 I was able to record my 1st live band, . Doing commercials, and Midi Tracks for backings, produced a ‘nice’ CD for Garrick Worboys, also Bassist Wayne Newey, Bill Alexander, got trax done, and CD.

...Started at the Radisson Resort, Gold Coast with Jazzmania Reunion, with Alan Murray, Lothar Shildhorst, Big john Edwards,…. This led to my coming slightly out of retirement, once a month at the Radisson Resort, and to be able to present my favourite Mates and Musicians.

2007 - 2008 started at Southport Sharks AFL Club... with a re union of da BOYZ'N' BERRY BLUES BAND... with Ashley lewis: Col Jones/Mal Woods, Lothar Shildhorst/Bruce Johnson,Mal Sellars, Big john Edwards/Justin Bliss,and myself. Working to a “want to be there! Audience", eating fine food and drinking fine wine, and LAUGHING! Then my job in life is completed!

I love my space at my property, “VILLACOSTALOTA”… 30 acres of freedom.. and living with my son Adam, & my 'wife' Lucky the dog.

Peace to you all!

1993 - Friend Bernie Stahl - On Russian Cruise-liner
'Taras Chevchencka' (We couldn't afford the Fairstar!)

1993 - Surfers RSL with Graeme Bell and Ed Wilson from Daley Wilson Big Band

1994 - Became an Australian Citizen. Had Kiwi brain removed and Tasmanian brain inserted!

1995 - 'Sidesplitters', The man I look up to -
Mr Bill Newman

1995 - My Mates Ted Egan (Adjusting himself) and Terry Gordon (stroking his arse)

1999 - Wallace Awards for Instrumentalist of the Year (Nominated four times for Entertainer of the Year)

2002 - 'Sheik My Dick' Jazz Breakfast at Berry's,
with Fiance 'Lucky'

2002 Craig with the Jurking Gurkahs

My onemanband @ the ol Teahouse Gallery 2007