Biscuit Miller
Birth nameDavid Leon Miller
Born (1961-12-30) December 30, 1961
Chicago, Illinois, United States
GenresElectric blues, funk[1]
Occupation(s)Bassist, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active1980s–present
WebsiteOfficial website

David Leon "Biscuit" Miller (born December 30, 1961)[2] is an American electric blues bassist, singer and songwriter. He writes most of his own material, and has released three albums to date. In 2012 and 2017, Miller won a Blues Music Award in the 'Instrumentalist - Bass' category.[3][4]

His best known songs include "Lay It On Down", " Bottle of Whiskey Bottle of Wine", "Going Home", "One More Mile", "Monday Morning Blues", and "Wishbone".[5] Miller is scheduled to play at the Bradenton Blues Festival in December 2017.[6] Down Beat described him as "a real crowd-pleaser."[1]

Life and career

Miller was born in South Side, Chicago, Illinois, United States, and was raised by his grandmother. His childhood nickname of 'Biscuit' was acquired when just before supper, Miller ate a pan of his grandmother's biscuits.[7] He found a four string electric bass guitar belonging to his friend's elder brother and immediately was inspired to try to play the instrument.[8] Miller discovered the blues via his connection to Willie Dixon. "I went to school with Willie's kids," Miller said, "and Willie did one of the first blues programs in Chicago. Once, he brought in this little kid named Lucky Peterson" and Miller noted "hearing the band play excited... and made me want to play music."[7] Miller formed his first band named Clever with his cousin, Ivan Wallace, and they jointly relocated to Minneapolis in 1982.[8]

Miller went on to work with Sonny Rodgers, from whom he learned a great deal about playing the blues and they recorded an album, They Call Me the Cat Daddy.[9] It won Rodgers a Handy Award for Best New Artist, although he died before he could accept his award. Miller moved on to backing George "Mojo" Buford and Lady Blue (a backing vocalist for Ike & Tina Turner).[8] During this time, he was asked if he could step in for one night to play the bass behind another Chicago born blues musician, Lonnie Brooks.[10] His tenure lasted for over ten years in Brooks backing band, including playing at the second inauguration of Bill Clinton.[8] In 2000, he formed Biscuit and The Mix to fill in time between commitments to Brooks and they recorded Miller's debut album, Come Together (2002).[3] Miller also played informally with Anthony Gomes, before joining his band as a full-time member in time to record Sweet Stringin' Soul. During his five-year stint with Gomes, Miller contributed to the studio albums Sweet Stringin' Soul (2000), Unity (2002), and Music is the Medicine (2006).[8]

By 2009, Miller had formed his own band.[3] Miller noted that "I was getting on up in my 50s... I'd done all this playing with everybody else, and it just seemed like time. I can play this bass fairly well and I can sing a little bit and I know how to smile."[7] Blues with a Smile was released in 2010.[10] Guest performers included Billy Branch on harmonica, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Shawn Kellerman on guitar and Andrew "Blaze" Thomas on drums. They played alongside Miller's regular backing outfit, the Mix.[11] In 2012 Miller gained his first Blues Music Award, whilst Blues with a Smile, received airplay on Sirius XM Radio.[3] In 2013, Miller performed at the Daytona Blues Festival.[12]

His most recent recording was Wishbone (2016), where the title track was inspired by Miller's two grandsons being excited about making a wish on the turkey wishbone during their Thanksgiving dinner. In May 2017, Miller won his second Blues Music Award in the 'Instrumentalist - Bass' category.[3][4]

He currently resides in Highland, Lake County, Indiana, but is based in Indianapolis.[2]

Discography

Albums

YearTitleRecord label
2002Come TogetherBlue Bass Entertainment
2010Blues with a SmileBlue Bass Entertainment
2016WishboneBlue Bass Entertainment

[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Community Bluesman Dave Biscuit Miller Kicks Off Blues Bar Buzz Events at Ace's Friday". Thebradentontimes.com. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  2. 1 2 Bob L. Eagle; Eric S. LeBlanc (1 May 2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. ABC-CLIO. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-313-34424-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biscuit - Biscuit Miller". Biscuitmiller.com. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  4. 1 2 "2017 Blues Music Awards Winner List". Americanbluesscene.com. Archived from the original on 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  5. ↑ "Biscuit Miller Discography at CD Universe". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  6. ↑ "Dave "Biscuit" Miller – The Bradenton Blues Festival". Bradentonbluesfestival.org. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  7. 1 2 3 "Mixing it up with 'Biscuit' Miller". Wvgazettemail.com. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dave "Biscuit" Miller". Smokestacklightnin.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  9. ↑ "They Call Me the Cat Daddy - Sonny Rodgers | Credits". AllMusic. 1999-12-25. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  10. 1 2 "Biscuit Miller and the Mix". Illinoistimes.com. 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  11. ↑ "Blues Blast Magazine : Blues CD Review". TheBluesBlast.com. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  12. ↑ "Day Two — 2013 Daytona Blues Festival". Snaptwig.com. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  13. ↑ "Dave "Biscuit" Miller Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  14. ↑ "Biscuit Miller | Album Discography". AllMusic. 2002-03-11. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  15. ↑ Diard Erick. "Biscuit Miller | Blues with a Smile | CD Baby Music Store". Store.cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
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