First pop song remembered as a boy: "Cathy’s Clown" (Everly Brothers). Favorite music as a boy: Beatles and Beach Boys...period. Favorite music as a teenager: CSNY, Eagles, America, Bread, McCartney, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, JT. Favorite music now: Marshall Crenshaw, Tom Petty, Adam Schmidtt, Lucinda Williams...
1984: Wrote his first song in October. Has cataloged over two hundred & fifty compositions since.
1988-1991: Played open mics with brother Rob around town--Whitey's, Mr. Henry's, Iota's, Mr. Smith's--to name a few venues.
1990: Recorded the song “Cherry Girl” at Cue Studios in Falls Church with Jimmy Dugan.
1991: Formed the band Blue Caller…(men who cry out in pay phones)...w/ Jim Opeka on drums, Mark Kelly on bass, and WD and brother Rob on acoustic guitars and vocals. Tom Lowry guested on keyboards and lead guitar most nights. Mickey Blue sat in with the harp on a few shows. The band was short-lived; they played at Vienna Tap and Grill, Lizard Lounge, and other venues around the D.C. area.
1995: Began recording Sugarland Run at Shuman Recording in Falls Church VA. Blue Caller stayed together long enough to lay down the rhythm tracks for the album. Guest appearances include my brother Rob providing guitar work and harmony vocals; Mike Melichone of Buckwheat Zydeco on lead guitar; Mike Johns, brother of Evan, of Evan John's & the H-Bombs, on lead guitar and slide; Mike Kelley, keyboard gun for hire; Scott Shuman, tour guitarist for Henry Townsend on guitar; Mickey Blue on mouth organ…and various other sundry musicians. Pressed the CD in early 2000--
2000: CD release party for Sugarland Run held at Jammin' Java & Mr. Smiths respectively.
Also began recording second record, Whirly Town, at OpekaStudios in McLean. Jim Opeka was at the helm this time, and played drums on every track. Bill Kotapish, from St. John’s Elementary School, played guitar & bass on multiple tracks; as did James Manion. Mike Kelley returned for lots of keyboard work; Brother Rob contributed heavily; Mark Kelley and Tom Lowry stopped in to help out on bass and keyboards respectively; Mike Melichone laid down guitar on “Kellie” and on another song that didn’t make the final CD; Bill Heid bartered roofing time with WD to contribute additional keyboards on “Mockingbird,” “Lauri Lie,” & “Virginian”; Bruce Krombholz contributed flash guitar work on “Palomino Girl”; Tony Dagget dropped in for a guitar pass on the track “History”; Gary Gibian played marimba on “Stealin’ Sugar”; Mickey Blue eturned for mouth organ on two songs. Pressed the CD in late 2006—
A personal note from WD: After burning out Scott S.& Mike M. on Sugarland Run, I needed to find a new victim for Whirly Town. Jim Opeka volunteered his services. He never knew what hit him. Jim engineered, mixed, and played drums on all the tracks. Five years later we finally mastered the new CD and sent it to press. It was a true pleasure working with Jim; he’s a great example of patience and generosity—a real gentleman.
2006/07: WD Miller Band played a CD release party at Jammin’ Java in Vienna on November 12th. First inception of the band: Mike Kelley, James Manion, and the rhythm section: Reid Saunders and Peter Locke. Guests included his brother Gene Miller singing harmonies, Mickey Blue on harp, and Ben Miller, WDs son, climbed on stage for an acoustic number. The boys had to learn 14 original songs. After the show Reid, Peter, and Jimbo convinced WD to keep it going. The WD Miller Band has played Iota in Arlington, Bangkok Blues in Falls Church, and Jammin’ Java in Vienna.
2008: Blayne Beeler came on board as the new lead guitarist in the summer of ’07. Blayne has brought a professionalism to the band that we sorely needed—not to mention a great pop sensibility. This man loves music; just watch his face as he plays his new red Les Paul. |
