Music
Tom Mills – “Full Strings Ahead”
Tom’s New CD.. Tom recently released a new CD entitled “Full Strings Ahead” which is a mix of original open-tuning instrumentals that add a flavor of Celtic, Cajun, Appalachian and Blues all in one.
This style of music is popular amongst guitar players worldwide including those famous for playing “air-tap” and “open-tuning” styles of guitar finger picking like Dylan Ryche, Erik Mongrain, Andy McKee, Don Ross, Tony McManus, Tommy Emmanuel Chet Atkins, and Merle Travis to name a few. You will find many styles of open tunings at festivals in North America including our own Celtic-Colours in Cape Breton.
Purchase The New CD “Full Strings Ahead” on CD BABY, or by contacting Tom – info@tommills.ca or call 902.304.1302
Bookings or Sales: 902.304.1302 or info@tommills.ca
Digital Downloads: CD BABY!
Digital Publishing Rights..
This type of open-tuning music is great for concerts or backing tracks for Documentaries, TV or Commercials. If you want to use any of Tom’s tracks for TV or Commercial backing tracks, contact Tom at info@tommills.ca to get the digital publishing rights –
902.304.1302 or info@tommills.ca
Previous Recordings by Tom Mills
Songs of Steel Coal & Protest
Protest Songs Project.. Tom was asked to re-record his song “Steel Winds” for the “Songs of Steel, Coal, & Protest” album released in 2016 by Richard MacKinnon (CBU professor).
It tells stories about the struggles to survive strikes and hard times, the courage of workers wives, the fight by trade unionists and the oppression of international company owners. It is a collaboration between Richard MacKinnon and Cape Breton musicians to record and promote songs of steel, mining and protest songs of the region (Cape Breton) – http://protestsongs.ca/volume-2
This is part two of a program to preserve, promote and make available the steel, mining and protest songs of the region. It tells stories about the struggles to survive strikes and hard times, the courage of workers wives, the fight by trade unionists and the oppression of international company owners.
In 2012, the Centre released the CD “Cape Breton Island Protest Songs, Volume 1” along with an accompanying web site (www.protestsongs.ca). It was also a collaboration between MacKinnon and Cape Breton musicians to record songs that were originally published in Cape Breton newspapers such as the Maritime Labour Herald, The Steelworker and the Steelworker and Miner from the 1920s through to the 1950s. MacKinnon found the words and the musicians created the arrangements and music.
Wills Addiction
Tom’s Previous Work.. 8 years with WILLS ADDICTION playing After-Work-Party sing-along roots style sessions, festivals and concerts all over the Maritimes! Wills Addiction (Tom Mills / Phillip Williams) play a very upbeat Maritime Roots style of music and cover such artists as Stan Rogers, Jimmy Rankin, Great Big Sea, Tim O’Brien, and Dave Gunning along with a complete album of original music.
Tom Mills and Philip Williams first met at a house party in Westmount in 2008 across the water from the Big Fiddle in Sydney. After playing together until the wee hours of the morning, they realized they had a passion for the same type of song. So “Wills Addition” was born. It is a match which was meant to be. The harmony and multi use of instruments is a delight to both the young and the old.
Hard work and determination over a three year period brought forth this, their first CD. Some of the songs will be familiar, but with a mix of their own material including one about the Big Fiddle, which towers over the beautiful harbor of Sydney. They proved that if there is a “Will” there is a way. Both armed with a “GET ER DONE” attitude made this dream come true. So sit back and enjoy “Wills Addition” and you too will be truly addicted. The guys are best known for their strong harmony vocals as well as multi-instrumental work on guitar, mandolin, & banjo.
Here more songs on Folk Alley – http://openmic.folkalley.com/TomMills
The Mizzen Men
Tom recorded and played with the local Maritime group “The Mizzen Men” (Wayne Burke, Chris Burke, Ray Carrier, Tom Mills) back in 2007. The boys still get together from time to time and play private parties and festivals at various location throughout the Maritimes.
The group, which are all multi-instrumentalists, consists of Wayne Burke on Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar and Bodhran; Tom Mills on Lead Guitar, Mandola, and background/harmony vocals; and Ray Carrier on Bass Guitar, Harmonica’s, Whistles and background/harmony vocals… Their repertoire consists of many original compositions, rollicking Sea Shanty’s, haunting Folk songs, along with a wide variety of tunes from many genres… The Mizzen Men have been entertaining audiences all around Atlantic Canada since 1999, most recently at such venues as “The Stan Rogers Folk Festival”, “The 2006 East Coast Music Awards”, and the 2006 Canadian Country Music Awards”.
The lads have just completed recording their third and new CD “Folk Songs & Sea Shanty’s”, at The Sound Expression Studio’s in Lake Utopia, NB with Producer Christian Gay… With a busy and exciting summer ahead of them, The Mizzen Men plan to focus their efforts toward concerts and the Festival circuit, as this is where their true passion lies… Getting their audiences involved in their “Maritime Kitchen Party” shows, has made The Mizzen Men a favourite among convention organizers and concert goers all around the Maritimes… So prepare to tap your toes, clap your hands and sing along, as this trio invites you into their kitchen for a good ole’ fashion Maritime Ceilidh…
