TROUBLE at' MILL LANCASHIRE FOLK BAND - LANCASHIRE'S FAVOURITE FOLK BAND

TROUBLE at' MILL are a popular folk band who hail from the village of Gregson Lane which lies between Preston & Blackburn. The band consists of husband and wife team - Graham & Bernadette Dixon, Bass Player - Denis Wane and our newest member Guitarist/Vocalist John Cruickshank.

The fact that Graham & Bernadette have, for the past 20 years, been organisers of the very popular GREGSON LANE FOLK CLUB is testament to their dedication & enthusiasm in both performing and promoting folk music.

The band are very busy and always have a full diary with gigs in theatres, village halls, pubs, clubs and even shopping centres. These activities quite often involve giving 'Joe Public' his first taste of live Folk Music and consequently explaining about the delights of going to a Folk Club to see more of the same.

Unashamedly concentrating on the 'popular' folk songs, TROUBLE at' MILL always place the emphasis on entertainment and make a point of not taking themselves too seriously. Their goal is to send the audience home with both, a smile on its face and an urge to seek out more live folk music.

NEWS - New WALLACE & GROMMIT film to be entitled "TROUBLE at' MILL" (Thanks to Nick Park & Marie for the cartoon)

TROUBLE at’ MILL
Are a band from ‘Deepest Lancashire’ they sing all your favourite Lancashire and Irish songs, which, interspersed with a few gags and funny stories, makes for an extremely entertaining evening. This makes them the perfect choice for your event be it:-

A CONCERT IN A THEATRE, ARTS CENTRE OR VILLAGE HALL
Our testimonials speak for themselves. Although we have been playing together for a number of years, we are relatively new to the theatre scene - our second appearance at DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE was a complete sell-out.

A PUB SING-a-LONG
Real live music presented in a format that will make your audience go home with smiles on their faces

A FAMILY PARTY
Birthdays, Weddings and Anniversaries. We perform two very lively ‘Live Spots’ and can even finish off with a ‘Party Disco’ if required.

FUND-RAISING
TROUBLE at’ MILL are the perfect choice for your fund-raising event. The band can host a ‘Fun Quiz’ during the interval. This is an
excellent way of raising a few extra pounds.
POSTERS & TICKETS AVAILABLE

We have a first class 'BOSE' sound system but can play through your system or acoustically by prior arrangement.

To Contact
TROUBLE at’ MILL
Phone Graham on
01254 853929
07815522925
Skype troubleatmill1

Email
troubleatmill@btinternet.com

If you would like more details about an evening with TROUBLE at’ MILL please feel free to contact us. (No obligation)

I’d be hard pushed to think of anyone, who can match the total hours of ‘live stage work’ put in, over recent years, by Trouble at’ Mill. ‘Keep Music Live’ is Grahams mantra.

This was the fist time I’d seen Graham, Bernadette and Denis on a theatre stage and I knew from experience that this is a very different proposition to the ‘freewheeling atmosphere’ of pubs and clubs. From my earliest days in Skiffle and Rock and Roll, I’ve always preferred a ‘mobile’ audience (preferably dancing) I always find static audiences a real challenge. Graham Dixon and Co. have no such problems, once on stage, they launched into the same act and routines that they use in the clubs and it fit the theatre stage perfectly. I believe that the reason for this is an interesting one.

Since the ‘folk revival’, the folk movement, in general, has expanded and developed in various ways that are both celebrated and frowned upon. In one of these areas (the ground that Trouble at’ Mill now occupy) both traditional and contemporary songs are used, together with anecdotes and comedy routines, to form the basis of an act that fits comfortably into a theatre format, and good front men, like Graham, can build a rapport with the audience – which is akin to that of Music Hall.

The aforementioned love, of live music, and hundreds (probably thousands) of hours put in on stage, enabled them to both entertain and involve the audience as they cruised effortlessly through ‘Bright Lights’ - ‘A Sailors Life’ - ‘ Sylveste’ - ‘ Female Drummer’ and the well thought out ‘Uncle Joes Medley’ (a great favourite with the audience). Bernadette's voice ringing out ‘clear as a bell’ with support from Graham (usually in unison rather than harmony) and Denis’s Fender Jazz Bass laying down that ‘solid foundation’ that we all know and love, ensured a successful workmanlike performance that pleased this particular audience, they even applauded when Graham walked on stage to plug in Susan Faulkner’s guitar………………..

Harold Dearden
(Music Critic)

OUR SECOND VISIT TO DARWEN THEATRE

Whatever your views about the populist approach to folk music, a genre so pure that no one wants to hear it is useless, even to the purists themselves. Fortunately a group that rocks all the preconceptions is also one of our regions most hard working and popular. Trouble At Mill have created a wide audience for themselves, and if you told that audience that they were there to listen to folk music, they would look at you incredulously. They were there to be entertained, and the ‘Sold Out’ signs plastered across the posters said that a lot of people expected nothing less.

There’s more than a touch of music hall about Bernadette and Graham Dixon, and Denis Wane. Their personalities fill the stage. Graham’s stories and gags occupy the spaces between the songs. Bernadette’s clear, strong vocals fill the auditorium. Denis wanders around as if unconnected to the group, a man of few words and eccentric dress, but his bass completes the accompaniment as well as providing the odd sound effect. The first half began with the traditional ‘I’ll Tell My Ma’, and included ‘Poverty Poverty Knock’ and Richard and Linda Thompson’s ‘I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight’.

Despite the fact that the group were up on stage, rather than their more usual closeness to the audience in pub or club, they connected easily with their listeners, and had them responding then joining in, verse and chorus, on more familiar songs. And if you need a measure of how the audience enjoyed it, I heard several whistles and hums of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ in the corridors, and the ‘gents’, during the intermission.

Darwen Library Theatre is large enough to have a real theatre feel to it, yet small enough to allow the intimacy between performer and audience. Brett, the sound engineer, produced a clear and musically balanced sound that took full advantage of the theatre’s own equipment.

Trouble at Mill began their second half with a rousing version of ‘The Irish Rover’ and included ‘Three Drunken Maidens’, ‘Dirty Old Town’, and a remarkable 13-minute medley centred on ‘Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls’. The concluding song, an encore, brought Wench All back on stage for ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’. It’s a practised and polished performance, but with enough roughness around the edges to have a common touch that involved the audience throughout.

Trouble at Mill’s mixture of Lancashire and Irish songs, old and new, punctuated by tall tales and humour, provide a rich evening’s entertainment. It’s pure fun. The trump card is that even though the songs may be familiar, and they may be traditional, they entertain; they make people sing and laugh. That’s what really matters. Just don’t tell the audience they’re getting folk music……

Review by Don Moore.

TAKEN FROM THE AUTUMN & WINTER 2003 PROGRAM - DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE

Graham (and the gang)
in the words of J Bowen,,
Super Smashing Grand!A great night, well received, and you would be welcome back here anytime.
Roger Carter (Hornby Institute)

I got married 5 weeks ago, in Silverdale on 18th May 2002 and we hired Trouble at Mill for our evening entertainment. They were absolutely fantastic. They brought the evening alive, like they promised, and got everyone to join in. As it was a wedding, people were circulating and chatting, but found they couldn't resist getting up for the odd jig with those that never left the floor! It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves so much, including my young nieces and nephews, who are only really into pop music! Even they sang along to a couple and got coaxed up by the band to play along on percussion instruments!
It really was a fab evening, so thank you Trouble at Mill for helping make my wedding day a real day to remember. I would recommend them to anyone for a wedding or any other function.
I have seen a lot of bands in my time and these really have the spark to create a warming and enjoyable atmosphere, as well as providing excellent foot-tapping music!!!!
Thanks to you all and may you continue providing us all with your music for years to come.
Tracy Upton Hill

Thank you for a wonderful evenings entertainment - I personally enjoyed every moment. We look forward to seeing you back some time in the future.Joan Adaway,
Secretary Chorley Little Theatre

"You are the biggest draw at this place!"
Jim Bowen at The Royal Oak - Hornby

"I Thoroughly enjoyed that!" Jack Straw (Foreign Secretary)
After performing with the band in Blackburn.

Dear Graham, Bernadette & Band
A belated ‘Thank you’ for the wonderful evening you gave us at my 60^th party the other weekend. It is still the talk of the town and everybody who went, bar none, is still raving about the quality of the entertainment.
Kay Bamford

Thank you for giving us a wonderful evening and contributing to a most successful charity fundraising event
Shirley Higham
Fence NSPCC

Dear Graham & All
I am writing on behalf of the committee to thank all of Trouble at' Mill for a wonderful evening -
- We have had tremendously positive feedback & I am confident that we will book you again for a future event.
Teresa Taylor
Treasurer Samlesbury War Memorial Hall

TROUBLE at' MILL have played at hundreds of venues, including: -

THE CHARTER THEATRE - PRESTON GUILDHALL
THE PENDLE HIPPODROME THEATRE
DARWEN LIBRARY THEATRE.
THE REEBOK - BOLTON
THE PHOENIX CENTRE - BOLTON
THE DUNKENHALGH HOTEL BLACKBURN
ORMSKIRK CIVIC HALL
NORTH EUSTON HOTEL-FLEETWOOD
BLACKPOOL FOLK CLUB (CLARENCE)
THE ROYAL OAK—HORNBY
FULWOOD CONSERVATIVE CLUB
CHORLEY LITTLE THEATRE
KNOWLE GREEN VILLAGE HALL
THE DOG INN _ WHALLEY
TALES OF ROBIN HOOD-NOTTINGHAM
KNOTT-END GOLF CLUB
FYLDE FOLK FESTIVAL
COPPULL FOLK FESTIVAL
LOWTHER PAVILLION LYTHAM
CLITHEROE GOLF CLUB
HOGHTON TOWER
WALTON le DALE CONSERVATIVE CLUB
GAWTHORPE HALL
LONGRIDGE GOLF CLUB
SAMLESBURY HALL
THE CHADWICK HOTEL - ST ANNES
CHORLEY MASONIC HALL
RAWCLIFFE HALL
HOGHTON VILLAGE HALL
THE NEW HALL TAVERN—SAMLESBURY
CHIPPING VILLAGE HALL
RIBBLE CRUISING CLUB
HASLINGDEN CONSERVATIVE CLUB
BRINDLE VILLAGE HALL
HORNBY INSTITUTE
GOOSNARGH VILLAGE HALL
HUTTON VILLAGE HALL
THE GREEN MAN AT INGLEWHITE
THE TALBOT HOTEL AT CHIPPING
THE LIVER BUILDING LIVERPOOL

WHISKEY IN THE JAR	OLD PENDLE	IRISH ROVER
DO YOU WANT YOUR OLD LOBBY	BIG JIM	COME LANDLORD FILL THE FLOWING BOWL
BAREFOOT DAYS	EARLY IN THE MORNING	THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL
SLOOP JOHN B	LEAVING ON A JET PLANE	MORNINGTOWN RIDE
I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS	WILD ROVER	UNCLE JOES MINTBALLS
BLACK VELVET BAND	I'LL TELL ME MA WHEN I GET HOME	DUBLIN IN THE RARE OLD TIMES
COMING 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN	DIRTY OLD TOWN	ROSE OF ALLENDALE
BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT	WILD MOUNTAIN THYME	CALEDONIA
ROSSENDALE	WALL OF DEATH	ILKLEY MOOR BAH'T 'AT
MY BROTHER SYLVESTE	FIELDS OF ATHENRY	FLOWER OF SCOTLAND
FIELDS OF ATHENRY	AULD LANG SYNE	MOLLY MALONE

WE NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE OUR CUSTOMER AND WE WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO CATER FOR YOUR NEEDS. WE PLACE A LOT OF IMPORTANCE ON PUNCTUALITY AND ENSURING THAT NO PART OF OUR PERFORMANCE CAUSES ANY OFFENCE TO ANYONE IN OUR AUDIENCE.

MOST OF OUR BOOKINGS ARE THROUGH 'WORD OF MOUTH' SO IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO US, AS IT IS TO YOU, THAT AN EVENING WITH TROUBLE at' MILL IS AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

ALL OUR EQUIPMENT COMPLIES WITH THE 'PAT' (PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING) REGULATIONS.

THE ROSE of THE RIBBLE VALLEY by GRAHAM DIXON was in print from 2002-2005 and sold over 1200 copies

Folk Singer, GEOFF, is the ‘Front man’ with ELDERFLOWER PUNCH – a four-piece musical group who, when they perform, pack the pubs and folk clubs of Northwest England. WAYNE plays bass; CHLOE, a student archaeologist is the singer and LUTE is the mandolin player.
The band are plagued with cancellations, due to the ‘ridiculous’ law which allows no more than two performers to play at any one time, in venues that do not hold a very expensive ‘Public Entertainment License
BRIAN CLAYTON, an old folk-singing friend comes to the rescue when he opens a new ‘Live Music Venue’ in the area.
Brian’s wife TINA is from a ‘well to do’ family, her father FRANK CROXLEY and her devious brother STANISLAW run a large company and own much of the land and property in the Ribble Valley. The Croxleys have many secrets and past indiscretions locked away with other skeletons in the family cupboard.
The beautiful ROSEMARY appears to Geoff, first of all in a vivid dream experienced after sampling a strange drink made from the rose petals collected from Croxley’s Wood, and then (apparently) in the flesh on a car park after a gig. From the ensuing conversation it appears that Rosemary is a ghost and has been dead for almost three hundred years.
Rosemary is trying to find out what happened to her fiancé BRYAN of CLAYTON who was an eighteenth century street musician come minstrel and the author of the song THE ROSE OF THE RIBBLE VALLEY.
The story, sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic sees Geoff and Chloe getting mixed-up in a clever illegal drugs operation as they try to solve the mystery of Bryan of Clayton and his beloved Rose of The Ribble Valley.

EMAIL	WHAT WE DO	TESTIMONIALS
SONG LIST	SEE US PLAYING AT (NB PRIVATE BOOKINGS NOT DISPLAYED)	PLEDGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS
CD & BOOK SALES	WHAT'S ON CALENDAR N.W.	HEAR US PLAY
CONTACT	LANCASHIRE DIALECT DICTIONARY	SING FOR SOMEONE ELSES SUPPER

	"WHEN WE WERE 3" A collection of songs recorded during our early days as a trio :-She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain Medley - Poverty Knock - They Don't Write E'm Like That Anymore - Three Drunken Maidens - Irish Rover- Fields of Athenry - I'll Tell Me Ma - A Mon Like Thee- Bright Lights - Whiskey In The Jar - Morningtown Ride - Uncle Joes Medley
UK & IRELAND £6.00 Inc P & P
Europe Inc £7.50 P & P
Worldwide £9.00 Inc P & P