The Wes Miller Band: In the Press

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WES MILLER - HURTS MORE TO STAY - CD REVIEW.

Wes Miller has been building a reputation as one of the top bluegrass bands in the midwestern United States, and the contents of this latest production certainly proves this.

Miller’s husky vocal style is ideally suited for a bluegrass setting and stands out on such pieces as his own “Heartbroke And Lonesome,” “Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake,” and Pete Goble’s “Back to Hancock County.”

Wes’s sister, Janet Foster, contributes several pieces including the title song “Hurts More to Stay”, plus “Ole Rube” and “Ty’s Ferry Bridge.”

This is hard-driving bluegrass performed at a high-level of perfection and an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the music of Wes Miller.

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LOCAL MUSICIAN EXPANDS HIS HORIZONS. WES MILLER JOINS NASHVILLE, TENN BOOKING AGENCY.

Frank Denzler
Staff Writer

Falmouth resident Wes Miller has taken his love and passion for bluegrass music to the national level. Following a path that began as a child, Miller has channeled his talent and focus into a full-time musical career.


In February, Shed Music and the musician simultaneously released a third studio recording, “Hurts More To Stay” and "Live at Williamstown.”

A copy of “Hurt’s More To Stay” and a concert video of the band were in turn passed along to Nashville booking agency Lance LeRoy and, as they say, the rest is history.

“I immediately liked what I was hearing, real traditional Bluegrass music. These guys are the real thing and the perfect festival band,” LeRoy said.

Miller feels privileged to have made the partnership and have the agency working for him and the band.

“It’s because of Lance’s rich history and the fact that he (LeRoy) got really excited about our sound and music that I’m so proud to be on board with the Lancer Agency. Lance LeRoy is a Bluegrass icon. He loves our music,” Miller said.

LeRoy was instrumental in forming the International Bluegrass Music Association more than 20 years ago. In 1985 he made initial contact with industry leaders and musicians that later became the IBMA.

Currently, the LeRoy agency works with a number of recording artists: Bobby Osborne, Jimmy C. Newman, Everett Lilly and the Mountaineers, Paul Williams & the Victory Trio and now Wes Miller — to name a few.

“Music is a full-time thing for me, this is what I get out of bed for each day,” Miller said.

The Rush County native has a storied musical journey. Miller has been the featured artist at the Little Nashville Opry in Nashville and later this summer will perform at Riverside Park Amphitheater in Rushville. He last played the local music venue during the inaugural season in 2006. Miller and his band will be the opening act July 12 on a bill shared with Josh Mahoney and Second Chance Band and the headlining band Off the Wagon.

Staying busy is not a problem for the musician, who claims to play 52 weeks a year. Sticking to mainly original music, Miller strives to stick to the traditional side of the street in regards to his music and insists that there is no percussion section and the band plays all acoustic.

The Falmouth man also singled out and credits his father for instilling the love of music in him at an early age.

“My dad is a very good song writer. He writes many of my songs,” Miller said.

The writing duo has already produced three nationally acclaimed CDs: “9 Out of 10,” “Knee Deep in Grass” and “The Wes Miller Band Volume One.”

On his most recent studio effort his younger sister Janet Foster (also a Rushville native) penned three of the CD’s songs, including the title track, “Hurt’s More To Stay.”

Well-written songs, tight harmonies and arrangements and a great stage presence have given the band a large following in the tri-state area that is rapidly expanding to other states and larger venues.

Playing live is one of the Miller’s favorite aspects of the music business. The multi-talented musician plays a variety of instruments in the studio and on stage including the banjo, guitar, mandolin and stand-up bass.

Although traditional Bluegrass is his music of choice, during the numerous chapters of his musical odyssey Miller has also been in country bands.

Live music clips of recent shows can be found on the band’s Web site, WesMillerBand.com. The site also offers an updated calendar of upcoming shows and events.

“Music is my life, it’s what I do. I would much rather be on a stage playing in front of a large crowd than talking to a group of five,” Miller said.

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LOCAL MUSICIAN RELEASES NEWSEST CD

“Hurts More To Stay” is Wes Miller’s latest effort

Frank Denzler
Staff Writer

A childhood passion has grown into a full-time musical career for Wes Miller. The Falmouth resident recently released his fifth CD, “Hurts More To Stay.” The 12 song effort coincides with the "Live at Williamsburg” release by Miller.


“’Hurts More to Stay’” has five new original songs, three of them written by my sister, Janet. The CD has some older traditional bluegrass favorites you probably haven't heard for a long time. It’s a great mixture of old and new,” Miller said.

According to Tom Snyder of the record label, Shed Music, Miller’s grasp of traditional bluegrass music is unmatched in the area and his recordings have reached audiences in Canada, Japan, South America and Europe.

Miller has played locally at Riverside Park Amphitheater as well as being featured at Little Nashville in southern Indiana.

Miller credits his family and father as the inspiration for much of his music and is glad to include songs penned by his sister on his most recent studio effort.

As is the case with many things, bluegrass music has not been left out of attempts to change it in recent years. However, Miller makes every effort to remain on the traditional side of the street in regards to change. That approach has drawn rave reviews from many in the music industry.

Well written songs, tight harmonies and arrangements, and a great stage presence have given the band a large following in the tri-state area.

It is hoped that with the release of “Hurts More To Stay” that Miller will expand on the success of his first three efforts.

Live music clips of recent shows can be found on the band’s Web site, WesMillerBand.com. The site also offers an updated calendar of upcoming shows and events.

Both CDs are available online through Shed Music at http://www.ShedMusicStore.com. Physical CDs and hi-rez MP3 downloads.

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Published September 19, 2007 RUSHVILLE REPUBLICAN

LOCAL MUSICIAN TO BE FEATURED AT THE LITTLE NASHVILLE OPRY.

Frank Denzler
Staff Writer

A passion for music that began as a child has grown into a full-time musical career for Wes Miller. The Falmouth resident has taken his love for bluegrass music to the national level.


According to friend and producer Tom Snyder, Miller’s recordings have reached audiences in Canada, Japan, South America and Europe in recent months.

Efforts currently are underway for Miller’s fourth release, a live CD expected out in October, followed by his band’s fourth studio release tentatively set for later this year.

“Music is a full-time thing for me, this is what I get out of bed for each day,” Miller said.

In August 2006 Miller and his band played at the Rushville Riverside Park Amphitheater to rave reviews.

Staying busy is not a problem for the musician, who claims to play 52 weeks a year.

Miller will be the featured artist taking to the solo showcase stage Nov. 16 at the Little Nashville Opry in Nashville, Ind.

Sticking to mainly original music, Miller credits his father for instilling the love of music in him and also gives his father and Bill Monroe the nod as a major part of the writing side of the younger Miller’s recordings.

“My dad is a very good song writer. He writes the majority of my songs, then I put them to music,” Miller said.

The writing duo has already produced three nationally acclaimed CD’s: “9 Out of 10,” “Knee Deep in Grass” and “The Wes Miller Band Volume One.”

Playing live is one of the Miller’s favorite aspects of the music business. The multi-talented Miller plays a variety of instruments in the studio and on stage including the banjo, guitar, mandolin and stand-up bass.

Although traditional bluegrass is his music of choice, Miller has also been in country and gospel bands in recent years.

Although the music industry as a whole has taken a number of twist and turns in recent years, according to the singer that has not had an adverse impact on traditional bluegrass music.

“Bluegrass music is changing a little bit by trying to mainstream its sound. That can be heard in a number of newer artist, but music is what I do. I really prefer the traditional stuff and strive to stick to the traditional side of the street, so the trend to change hasn’t really had much effect on our music,” Miller said.

In keeping with traditional bluegrass music, Millers’ band insist that there is no percussion section and the band plays all acoustic.

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WES MILLER BAND COLLECTS TOP CONTEST PRIZE.

BY MIKE SELKE/mselke@newsexaminer.com

It was a fine payday for the Wes Miller Band when members walked off with $1,000 Saturday night at the Fayette County Resource Center during the Connersville Lions Club Home Show Battle of the Bands.

Mack Lainhart, one of three contest judges, said the Wes Miller Band was a unanimous choice among judges as overall musical talent landed the band the top spot.

Two members of the Wes Miller Band are no strangers to the winner’s circle. Joel Miller picked his way to a first-place finish in a banjo contest last year during the Fayette County Free Fair’s Old Time Fiddlers and Banjo Pickers contest and brother Wes placed third in the same contest.

A wide range of musical genres were represented, including bluegrass, heavy metal, country, rock and rap.

Connersville Lions Club Vice President Ken Fuller said six competing bands represented four area counties — Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne. Other bands were Backdraft, Taylor Made Band, Naked Charisma, Strange Face and Hollows End.

Strange Face placed second, followed by Hollows End. All bands received a trophy.

The $1,000 prize was provided by GM SuperCenter and trophies were donated by Russ Sidell, owner of the Sportsman Store and Trophy Shop.

Fuller said the inaugural event will become an annual contest and will possibly take place next year at Expo Hall in conjunction with the car show.

He said the Home Show this year was the biggest ever.

“There was a great turnout for all the musical events,” he said.

Fuller said the Lions Club has about 115 members. They sponsor several causes through the year, including Christmas with Kids, sight leader dogs for the blind, the Vision Van and the fight against diabetes, he said. The Lions are also involved in several projects in Connersville, including funding for lights in Roberts Park and at the amphitheater and the Park Road street lights. The Lions furnish trophies for the Boy and Girl scouts, the Robert Day karate club and contribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hope’s Way Shelter, Fuller said.

He said this year’s event saw several new vendors participating.

“It just keeps getting bigger and better,” he said. “A lot of work goes into the event.”

Sponsors of the event were the Connersville Lions Club and radio station WIFE.

Judges were Taylor Willhite, Steve Aubuchon II and Lainhart. WIFE radio personality Annie Russell was emcee and sound was provided by Charlie Richardson of Pro Audio.