Gary Miller Songs

In October 2017, Gary was approached by the DLI Research and Study Centre at Seven Hills, Spennymoor, County Durham, England, asking for permission to use his song 'The Durham Light Infantry' in 'When the Bugle Calls', a travelling exhibition about the music of The Durham Light Infantry.

‘The Durham Light Infantry’ was only the second song Gary ever wrote for The Whisky Priests back in 1985 (it was eventually recorded and released as the final track on the band’s debut album ‘Nee Gud Luck’ in 1989).

Gary made the important decision to revisit this old song and bring it more up-to-date with revised lyrics and a brand new arrangement for brass. Working with his regular producer Iain Petrie at Awake Music!, a brass arrangement was created and a complete score, written by Iain and professional music scorer Sam Lord was presented by Gary to the Ferryhill Town Band, who took up the challenge of performing the piece specially for the project.

In the meantime, Gary presented another song, 'Euphonium and Cornet', to the DLI Research and Study Centre for consideration, which led to further songs being commissioned, including : -

• 'Euphonium and Cornet’, a personal song telling the fascinating tale of Gary’s great-uncles Joe and George Mains, Colliery bandsmen as well as DLI Bandsman during WW2.
  

• ‘The Final Letter of Jimmy Durham’, delicately chronicling the incredible story of James Francis Durham, DLI Bandsman and the first regular black soldier in the British Army.
  

• ‘Ballad of Lance Sergeant William Stones’, detailing the tragic story of Joseph William Stones, a previously-decorated DLI soldier from Crook who was executed in WW1 for alleged cowardice.

Following the theme of true stories of individuals connected with the Durham Light Infantry, as presented in the above songs, Gary and Helen gave themselves the challenge of expanding the project into 'From Coalfield to Battlefield', a full album and deluxe book of illustrations, lyrics and accompanying text (in a similar vein to 'Mad Martins'), drawing on further personal stories of their own family members, friends' family histories and other storiesthat chart the history of the DLI to create a further batch of songs (see below for some examples of these), throwing themselves passionately into the project throughout 2018.

'When the Bugle Calls' is a year-long touring exhibition, featuring sounds and objects from the DLI Collection, starting at Bishop Auckland Town Hall in December 2017. After 4 months there, the exhibition will visit several other venues throughout different parts of the County Durham region.

Telling the story of the Music of the Durham Light Infantry, a section of the exhibtion is devoted to The Whisky Priests and Gary and Helen's own contributions to the project. Furthermore, recordings of two of Gary's songs, 'The Durham Light Infantry' (featuring Ferryhill Town Band) and 'Euphonium and Cornet', were chosen to be included on listening posts at the exhibition.

The launch event for 'When the Bugle Calls' was held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on 5th December 2017. Accompanied by musician friends Mick Tyas on bouzouki and backing vocals, Iain Petrie on bass and backing vocals and Jake Lucas on drums, Gary performed the four songs he had written for the project to date, as well as a fifth song, 'The Boys of Durham' (a pub song written by a soldier of the DLI during World War 1) featuring Mick on lead vocals, to an invited audience of V.I.P. guests. Two members of Ferryhill Town Band, Steven King (euphonium) and Andrew Potts (cornet) also joined Gary on stage for 'Euphonium and Cornet'.

"Thank you very much for your contribution and the work of Helen, Iain and the rest of the team. The performance was fantastic and we were very pleased to include your story in our exhibition and document your story as part of our DLI history." (Gillian Kirkbride, Museums, Heritage and Collections Manager - Growing and Learning)

The first advance release from 'From Coalfield to Battlefield' is : -

Gary Miller & The Ferryhill Town Band 'The Durham Light Infantry'

The backing track by Ferryhill Town Band was recorded live at Mainsforth and District Institute, Ferryhill, on 28th November 2017. Gary added lead vocals at Awake Music! Studio, Spittal, on 30th November. The sessions were engineered and produced by Gary's regular producer Iain Petrie.

Illustration by Helen Temperley.

Lyrics and further information

The second advance release from 'From Coalfield to Battlefield' is : -

Gary Miller 'Ballad of Lance-Sergeant William Stones'

The song, featuring Gary solo on vocal and acoustic guitar, was recorded live at Awake Music! Studio, Spittal, in October 2017. The session was engineered and produced by Gary's regular producer Iain Petrie.

Illustration by Helen Temperley.

Lyrics and further information

The third advance release from 'From Coalfield to Battlefield' is : -

Gary Miller 'Euphonium and Cornet'

The song was recorded at Awake Music! Studio, Spittal, in October 2017. The session was engineered and produced by Gary's regular producer Iain Petrie.

Illustration by Helen Temperley.

Lyrics and further information

The fourth advance release from 'From Coalfield to Battlefield' is : -

Gary Miller 'The Final Letter of Jimmy Durham'

The song was recorded at Awake Music! Studio, Spittal, in October 2017. The session was engineered and produced by Gary's regular producer Iain Petrie. 

Illustration by Helen Temperley.

Lyrics and further information

The story of drummer boy Robert Robinson who became Florence Nightingale's errand boy, and later protege, during the Crimean War.

The story of Whisky Priests bass player Michael Stephenson's grandparents