Blues at Barleylands are marking the Fourth of July Independence Day in their own style with Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective supported by The Jackson Line.
With three lead vocalists in the shape of Keith Porter, Jamie Cook and Claire Williams harmonies were always going to be front and center in The Jackson Line, who deliver a modern take on classic Country and Americana. Storytelling, harmonies and guitars (Jamie Cook and Jim Cross) are at the heart of what they do.
The band are comfortable with the tag of ‘modern country’, but with each member bringing a wide range of differing influences to the table they create thoughtful, melodic songs, which capture the essence of country while allowing their other influences to permeate.
Following The Jackson Line are a band who are regulars on our little stage - Jamie William & The Roots Collective
Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective are Jamie Williams on vocals & rhythm guitar; Dave Milligan on lead guitar; Jake 'The Dude' Milligan on Bass & James Bacon on drums. They exist on an imaginary tightrope stretching between Tom Petty & The Rolling Stones.
Settled into the current super-tight line-up after many years and hundreds of shows the band is now on fire, playing their own style of Country Blues, Rock & Americana at festivals, venues, clubs & pubs including a couple of rapturous nights at London's legendary 100 Club, their ethos is always to have fun and make sure the crowd does too. This is not a band that stands onstage staring at their (red) shoes.
They’ve shared line-ups with likes of Wilko Johnson, The Blockheads, The Darkness, The Pretty Things, Los Pacaminos, The Quireboys, Dr Feelgood, the Yardbirds, Eddi Reeder & the Animals to name a few.
Jamie is a prolific writer of accessible songs that people love; songs good enough to hold their own in a solo acoustic setting, which really light up when the band add their own brand of energy & musicianship to the arrangements.
Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective are like the classic touring bands of the 70s: they are almost a travelling circus; a dysfunctional family of a band. They're tight without being boringly slick; leaving just enough rough edges to become one of the most exciting and fun 'originals' live bands on the circuit today. Their ethos is ‘it's not just a gig, it's a night out’. This is a band who love to entertain people and to make them smile; to inspire them to dance and sing along.
With lots of UK & international air play, the band is gathering a worldwide following of loyal fans some of whom travel a great distance to see them play.