Music: Brooks Williams

Thursday 8th July 2010

Mill music audiences are in for a treat on Thursday 8th July, when renowned US musician Brooks Williams unexpectedly brings his full band to the intimate East Devon venue. This is a 2nd visit for Brooks, who is one of the finest singer/songwriters on the roots blues Americana scene. Brooks will now be joined by band-mates PJ Wright, Keith Warmington and Dave Griffiths for a very special concert in the Mill's magical outdoor setting.

For 23 years, Brooks has been wowing audiences world-wide with his mix of blues and Gospel-inspired finger-style guitar, soulful songwriting and pearly singing. A self-taught guitarist, he was inspired by John Renbourn, Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna, and Ry Cooder to develop his own unique style, that defies categorisation. "He possesses a melodic virtuosity on the guitar that runs like liquid from his fingers and blows the socks off any other player you could name." The Irish News.

Band member PJ Wright is a master of steel guitar and dobro. His musical roots are in R'n'B and American country-rock although his career has spanned everything from a singer/songwriting spell in California to backing touring acts such as Del Shannon and the Coasters. During the 1980s and 90s, PJ regularly recorded and toured as lead guitarist with the Steve Gibbons Band. Since 1999, he has been lead vocalist and guitarist with five-piece folk-rock band Little Johnny England as well as performing as a solo singer-songwriter. In 2006 PJ released Hedge of Sound, his first solo album, and since 2007 has been touring with Dave Pegg on a successful duo project "A Night Off with Peggy & PJ".

BBC Radio Bristol presenter Keith Warmington is a soulful singer of blues, guitarist and virtuoso harmonica player. One of his old bands, The Parole Brothers, where he worked alongside Steve Payne, was a major force on the music scene in the 1980s and made Keith a veritable legend on the local circuit.

The fourth member of the quartet is Dave Griffiths, a renowned blues, choro and jazz mandolin and double bass player. He started playing mandolin in the 70's influenced by blues, ragtime and jug band music. He added Folk and Italian romantic music to his repertoire and ventured into the classical arena with the Beethoven Sonatas at Ashton Court Festival in 2002. He has played with Blues men Eddie Martin and Dave Peabody and is a regular member of the duo SMILE with Jim Reynolds.

Brooks and his band will play a mix of material from his stunning new album Baby O! (his 17th!) and a range of songs from his back catalogue. 

To listen to Brooks' music, click here.

Tickets:  £11.00.

To book, please call 01395 568521, or visit our craft shop in the Mill building.