THE GRAND Theatre will swing to the sound of big band hits on Sunday when band leaders Andy Prior and John Miller go "Big Band Crazy".

For Andy, returning to Blackpool where he cut his band leading teeth is particularly exciting because The Grand is the launchpad for this brand new touring show.

The evening features plenty of big band numbers from Glenn Miller, Ted Heath, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and many more.

Both Andy and John -- who is Glenn Miller's nephew -- wanted to do something different. "Basically it's just me and John Miller enjoying ourselves!" laughed Andy.

"I was sitting with John listening to records and I had my pile of CDs and he had his. He would put something on and say, 'Listen to this' and I would do the same. And I thought, 'Hang on a minute, what a great idea for a show'. But instead of having a CD player, we have the band."

Andy described fellow band leader John as "completely barmy". He said: "I mean that in the nicest possible way. He is so easy to work with."

He said band leaders are so busy organising that when they start a show they are too tired to be pompous. "You are exhausted, so all you want to do when you get on stage is have a bit of fun."

Although Andy has had a quiet few months, he has noticed a big band music revival, including a trend towards pop stars such as Robbie Williams working with big bands.

He said: "Big bands are hip now, whereas when I started out it was the most unhip thing."

But he is glad he persevered. "I love the music, but there have been some bad years. It's feast or famine and always has been in the big band industry. "

His passion for big band music was inevitable. His father was a fifties band leader and his mother a trained opera singer. At six years old, knitting needle in hand, he was conducting everything from Prokofiev to the Ted Heath Orchestra on his record player.

He is pleased that big band music is getting a good airing in Blackpool and is looking forward to his dates in the town. He said the locals are "wonderful", and added: "We rarely get holiday makers, so we are hoping to get a holiday crowd, too".

Big Band Crazy is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on August 12 and 19 at 7.30pm. Phone the box office on 290190.