Warrington Collegiate student band steps into the limelight
Mike Ward, 23, from Sutton, St Helens and Paul Wilson, 31, from Great Sankey are two Performing Musician students at Warrington Collegiate who have a lot to play for. They met on the course in 2010 whilst auditioning for the band to play for the college pantomime, Aladdin. They were both successful and Big Brown Boot was formed.
The talented duo and 3 friends were soon playing gigs and getting noticed. They were invited to provide lounge entertainment in Buckley’s, the college fine dining restaurant as well as performing at outside venues including Bank Quay House, where they created the ambience for the Warrington Collegiate Art Exhibition, Summer 2011.
The name was inspired by a Jazz night in Buckley’s. Paul explained, “I was thinking of music to play, and the song Little Brown Jug came to mind, then the name just came to me”
Paul is a great devotee of the Beatles and when Buckley’s decided to hold a Beatlemania night, the Wannabe Beatles, the not-so-Fab-Four were born. After 3 shows in two days the lads found that they were in demand. Mike said, “We were delighted to receive a booking for a wedding as well as playing at smaller venues in and around Warrington.
Dan Turner, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality and Catering was impressed by the professionalism of the band, commenting, “Beatlemania was a very successful night, the customers loved it.”
Five became two but Big Brown Boot, as Paul and Mike marched on turning their hand to many different music genres, some influenced by the talented duo’s own preferences. Paul explained, “I’m a Pink Floyd fan, but Mike goes more for white metal and heavy rock.” Mike added, “We’re also looking to reform the Wanna Beatles. We’ve got sufficient talent in college to form a really great band.”
Paul and Mike paid tribute to the course that brought them together saying “The great thing about the Performing Musician course at Warrington Collegiate is that instrumentation plays a big part in the course and the tutors really get involved, helping you develop your skills and see things through to a really good result. The support is tremendous and the atmosphere relaxed and creative. Without the course Big Brown Boot wouldn’t have happened.
Austin Fitzsimmons, lecturer in Music and Performing Arts commented “Mike and Paul take on board everything they learn on the course and apply it in real life, which is evident in the band they have set up. They are an excellent example of how the Performing Musician course at Warrington Collegiate is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to make a living as full-time working musicians or to continue their studies at University.”
Mike and Paul are now in their second year and looking forward to the future. Paul is keen to go to University and is considering a Contemporary Music Degree at Bristol or Manchester as he ultimately plans to play for live TV and Theatre performances. Mike is leaning more towards song writing and going straight into the industry after finishing the course. However both are sure that Big Brown Boot has a real future in performance.
