Joe Miller

Joe Miller is Asbury Park’s methodical maestro of the acoustic six string who opts to pursue a more quality and thoughtful level of musical production, rather than the rapidly composed quantities often chased by artists of an internet age. Miller doesn’t constantly bolster his catalogue song, which is the songsmith’s creations are so relished when they arrive…as is the case with his latest single “Procrastination”.
A slowly trudging series of string manipulation and melodic poetics is at the forefront of this composition, which Miller dedicated to Dr. Douglas Mark Crowder, a professor of voice and piano at Mansfield University, and one of Miller’s greatest mentors and friends, who passed away from abdominal cancer at the age of 55 last week.
When losing someone of that nature from your life, one is often left to ponder their own existence; what it all means; what you were put here to do and if you can make it without this figure in your life. Such inquires arise in “Procrastination” as Miller delivers “Where am I going? Where have I been”, before adding an hopeful note that “I’ve gotten lost before, And I have found myself again.”
Listen to this piece of musical homage and be sure to see Miller at 5th Avenue Beach in Belmar on August 1st when he performs alongside Ari Hest as part of the Songwriters At The Shore summer music series presented by 90.5 The Night. - speakimge.com

"SO VERY TALENTED - always changing it up - trying new things - writing, creating a whole new show. Think: Hip-Hop meets Joni Mitchell. (Joe's cover of Joni's "A Case of You" knocked me off my feet.)" - Carol Barbieri - Writer/Musician/Adoption Reform Advocate

On Joe Miller's performance @ The Saint on 11/18/2010 - A consummate acoustic performer, Miller kicked things off at The Saint with his bare bones acoustic and eclectic soul session, utilizing powerful vocals on songs such as the dynamic “Johanna” and the fresh, cool twist of “The Last Supper,” featuring the poetic complexities of Klass Jones, who lent his visionary rhymes to Millers melodically posed questions. Klass and Emily Parsowith were also featured together on Alarm as well as Wooden Nickels, which will be Joe’s upcoming CD title. Even with the fair sized crowd clucking away like loud chickens during his set, Joe miller proved to be a strong musical convincer and a class act. Look for new CD info coming soon over at reverbnation.com/joemiller. - John Pfeiffer - Shoreworld

Singer songwriter Joe Miller talks about blowing his audition, being rejected, then accepted at Mansfield University and where he finds inspiration to write. - Mansfield University, PA

Mansfield University singer, songwriter and music major Joe Miller entered the John Lennon Music Scholarship competition this year and didn't think anything more about it, until he found out he was named a semifinalist. Joe talks about his music, his dreams and we listen to his songs. - Mansfield University, PA

Recently, Joe Miller has emerged as one of Asbury’s most captivating solo artists, meshing vividly descriptive images of life and the spectrum of human emotion with minimalist fret-work and tempo alteration, most recently on the song writer’s new single “First Day On The Job,” an eerie piece about a protagonist going postal so he can feel alive again. However, Miller is able to achieve a form of artistic Stockholm Syndrome for his character as the listener is able to relate to this flawed being, accepting his actions rather than fearing them, a feat only the most talented of writers are able to accomplish… - Speak Into My Good Eye

On Wednesday, Boardwalk songsmith Joe Miller released a cover of Bob Dylan’s rendition of a traditional Irish Folk tune titled “The Moonshiner,” which raised a similar inquiry to that posed year ago by the late, great, Mitch Hedberg: If one covers of a cover, does it go back to normal? - Speak Into My Good Eye

This past Sunday one of Asbury’s finest solo artists, Joe Miller, was recognized by a voting class of his peers as the Top Male Vocalist at the 3rd Annual Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards show in Asbury Park and days prior to accepting said award announced the release of his forthcoming single, “The Continuation Of D.B. Cooper.”

Miller’s unique songwriting style and vivid imagery mesh together creating intricate landscapes and intense visuals while posing intriguing inquiries such as this preceding query: The FBI is still looking…So why isn’t she? - Speak Into My Good Eye

A Mansfield University student is one of 46 finalists in the National Association for Music Education 10th annual John Lennon Scholarship Songwriting Program.

Joe Miller of Horseheads, a junior music education major at MU, will find out next month whether he is the first-place winner in competition for a $10,000 scholarship or one of two $5,000 scholarships.

Miller entered his original song "The Troubadour" through the MU National Association for Music Educators chapter. It was selected as the state entry for Pennsylvania and will be judged next by a panel at Broadcast Music Inc.

"I keep thinking to myself, 'What were the judges saying when they heard my song?' " Miller said in a prepared release from Mansfield University. "I would love to know what they said or get to meet them and pick their brains a little bit and find out what the song means to them.

"The song, 'The Troubadour,' means a lot to me. It's based on a dream I've always had to be able to travel around and play for people."

Miller said his family, especially his grandfather, Al Doyle of Guilford, N.Y., has encouraged him to pursue his dreams of composing and performing.

Doyle told Miller about the Lennon Scholarship Program when he was a student at Edison High School in Elmira Heights.

"He has always encouraged me and urged me to go for it," Miller said. "It was so cool to call him when I found out about the contest. He jumped right out of his seat."

While Miller may be young, he knows the music of Lennon and the Beatles.

"My brother Ryan influenced me with my music and we grew up listening to 'The White Album,' " he said. "We'd also listen to Billy Joel, Elton John and Eric Clapton. Then, during the summer, I'd go over to my neighbor's house to be baby-sat, and I'd listen to Tupac (Shakur) and Biggie (Smalls) and all these hip-hop artists. But my mom never knew because I thought I'd be in so much trouble."

Miller will release an album, "Worn Out Joke," later this summer. - Elmira Star Gazette - May 1, 2007

Joe Miller is a local favorite with the keen eye always tuned to taking the events of the day and turning them into something magical. Joe's voice and guitar are a tender and perfectly-tuned combination of heart and soul. - fineartsforum.org

Joe Miller has been bitten by the bug, the show-business bug. Joe wants to be a rock star, wants to travel the world with throngs of screaming fans hanging on his every note.

"It's been my dream since I was a little kid, to be a musician," said Joe, a 17-year-old junior at Thomas A. Edison High School in Elmira Heights.

Actually, Joe's first dream was to be in a boy band. He did that, singing in harmony and shuffling across talent show stages as a member of the Elite 6 (later the Elite 5, then the Elite Boys and finally, giving up on elitism, High Profile).

They were good enough to advance to the talent contest at the New York State Fair a few years ago.

So Joe's always been a singer. He has studied the piano, but didn't care for it.

In middle school, a music teacher taught him a few chords on the guitar, and from time to time Joe's older brother, Ryan Miller, would let him borrow his guitar.

Joe got his own guitar for his 16th birthday, a flashy, red electric one. He started learning, started getting good and started writing his own music. And then he took the first big step: He borrowed his brother's acoustic guitar to perform Ellis Paul's "The World Ain't Slowin' Down" at an Edison school concert last year.

The audience loved it, and Joe realized he knew he wanted to spend his life on stage.

He got a job at a supermarket so he could save up enough to buy his own acoustic, and he started writing his own songs.

He's been hired to play a few times, once alone at a coffee house on Market Street in Corning and with friend Jesse Reib at another in Horseheads.

Joe's music collection ranges from classical to hip hop. Lately he's been listening to -- and playing -- a lot of Goo Goo Dolls stuff. That band, and folk-rock singer Paul, are his biggest musical influences, he said.

When we met Thursday evening, he performed a song that he had written. The song was very pleasant to hear and Joe sang with clear, powerful, emotional voice.

Joe has visited the Berklee School of Music in Boston and would like to study vocal performance in college. His brother is studying music education at Oberlin College.

Joe's parents are supportive, although he said they occasionally remind him that music stardom is a long shot, and it's probably not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

I asked Joe if he's prepared for life should a music career not work out.

"I'll deal with that if it happens," he said. "But this is all I've ever wanted."

Joe met Paul briefly at a show and told him he was planning to perform "The World Ain't Slowin' Down" for the Edison concert.

"That's a hard song," Paul said to him.

"Then he went back on stage, and the first song he played was 'The World Ain't Slowin' Down,' " Joe said. "And he looked right at me while he sang it."

"You gotta get gone," Paul sang. "You gotta get going. Hey, the world ain't slowin' down for no one."

Joe's going.

"You can inspire someone with just one song," he said. "That's all it can take to change a life." - John P. Cleary - Elmira Star-Gazette (Jan 12, 2003)

Musician Joe Miller will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Coffee and Tea Room, 217 W. Fourth St., in his debut performance in Williamsport.

Miller, from Horseheads, N.Y., has released two indie albums during the past three years and is working on new material for an upcoming album set for release in late summer.

Miller is a student at Mansfield University, where he is majoring in music education. He began playing guitar at 15. After his first few shows around the Elmira and Corning, N.Y., area, he recorded his debut album, “Still Young,” in the summer of 2003 and released it soon after. At 18, he formed a project with four other musicians, including his brother Ryan, called Notes 4 Life. The group held a concert to raise money for the American Cancer Society and raised $700.

His latest EP, “What If We Ruled the World,” was released in January 2005.

He described his beginnings as a musician. “When I was about 15, I borrowed my brother’s acoustic guitar. I got an electric guitar for my 16th birthday. I wrote my beginning songs on that, just stuff to ease my mind. Then I got my own acoustic guitar, which helped a lot, since I didn’t have a nice amp for my electric. I got a job at a grocery store and saved money to get started. Then I started performing.”

His influences include his brother, John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Garth Brooks, Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Billy Joel, Boyz II Men and 1990s rock music. He has been compared by fans to Jason Mraz.

When asked about the type of music he plays and the shows he does, he said.

“Original acoustic stuff, folk-rock music. I do benefit shows sometimes, but mostly it’s just me, me and my acoustic guitar.”

His favorite places to perform are small settings. “I like intimate venues, intimate settings, where the audience can communicate back and forth with me. Playing in front of a large audience is a rush, but I like intimate settings.”

When asked where he sees himself in the future, he said, “I would like to pursue a music career as a singer-songwriter. I would like to finish up school, I would definitely like to become a teacher. I would like to go on the road for a while.

Miller has another upcoming show at 8 p.m. March 10 at the Soul Full Cup Coffeehouse, Corning, N.Y., where he had his first-ever gig. For artist information, visit www.audiri.com/joemiller. - Lisa Hanssen - Williamsport Sun-Gazette (Feb 8, 2006)

For years, singer/songwriter Joe Miller has been content to play local clubs and coffee shops.

Miller, a Mansfield University sophomore and 2004 Edison High School graduate, still enjoys doing that.

He and a friend arranged a version of Elton John's "Rocket Man" that has a kind of cult following around campus, he said.

But, as satisfying as playing the local scene can be, every musician dreams of something a little bigger. Joe is no exception. That's why he's so excited about his May 27 gig.

Joe will sing at the Lion's Den, a club near New York University in New York City.

It's just a one-night stand and isn't likely to lead to fortune and fame, but to Miller, it's a dream come true.

I first met Joe in 2003 when he was a junior at Edison just starting to perform.

To me, he seemed green but confident, inexperienced but clearly talented.

Three years later and with lots of performances under his belt, Joe said he's ready for New York.

You can credit his Big Apple booking to persistence and patience. He has a friend who is studying music management at NYU, and he asked her to look around and see whether there were any venues he might be a good fit for.

One of the clubs she suggested was the Lion's Den.

Joe e-mailed the club's entertainment booker in January.

"I said, 'I'd really like to play at your venue,' " Joe said. "I sent him my biography, but told him I've only really played around our area."

The booker didn't sign Joe right up, but he didn't snuff out his hopes, either.

He told Joe to contact him again in April to discuss the possibility of an early summer show.

"I was waiting and waiting for April 1st," Joe said.

In the meantime, Joe looked into the Lion's Den's history a little bit.

What he found wasn't encouraging. The club had hosted nationally known acts like Dashboard Confessional, Phish and Sister Hazel. Joe found it a little hard to believe they'd be interested in a small-town acoustic act.

Still, he allowed himself the pleasure of the dream.

"April 1st came around, and I forwarded him the e-mail he sent before, so he'd remember," he said.

"He gave me a kind of over-the-e-mail interview. I told him about some Web sites where he could hear my music."

Joe told the booker he could probably count on about 20 friends and family from the Twin Tiers to travel to the show. That seemed to be the clincher. The club offered him a gig.

"He sent an e-mail that said this is a 100 percent a go," Joe said. "I was blown away. I just booked a gig in New York City. I got really excited."

Joe is studying music education at Mansfield, but said with all his experience promoting his own act over the years, he's becoming more and more interested in the business side of music.

Right now, he's concentrating on practicing as the date gets closer.

"I think I'm ready for it," he said. "I'll be bringing down a lot of family and friends. They're all behind me on this. That's a great feeling." - John P. Cleary - Elmira Star-Gazette (May 14, 2006)

“Great music! Catchy refreshing music with thoughtful and poetic lyrics. Awesome harmonies and progressions.”

“Joe is an amazing talent. His "addict" song hits a nerve - his depth is unbelievable. We will see him go places!!”

“Joe Miller is VERY good!! He has a great writing ability and an excellent voice!!!”

“Great Lyrics. Haven't heard a bad song yet. ‘What if We Ruled the World’ was the best so far.”

“…I really like "Miss America." The song moves. Good [stuff] man. Can't wait to hear more of the bathroom demos”

“Joe’s music is absolutely awesome. Good solid guitar and he has the vocals to back it up.” - N/A

"Great performance last night....your song that you dedicated to your grandma brought me to tears, literally."

"Wow--you are a gifted musician. Thank you for showing the world the talent that you really are. Playing you forward (Canadian style!"

“You are an amazing find! Let me know when you're ready to head to Aspen. There are plenty of places for you to play in CO.”

“I love your voice Joe!!! I’m sure you hear that a lot...but your songs are wonderful...I think I’m addicted.”

“Keep spreading that vibe of yours!”

“Joe Miller Rocks!!!!!!”

“We were enjoying the tunes and especially love the demo photo and title. The acoustics of your bathroom are amazing!!”

“Dig your demo man. Big ups!”

“That "bathroom demo" of yours sounds really great!”

“I love your songs. I think my favorite is ‘Never Too Far’”

"WooHoo! You're my profile song now. Glad I found you"

"...just wanted to give you a thumbs up on the songs, and I think you should hook me up with a cd..."

"Looks like things are happening for you. Like the songs...gonna see if I can get out to a show soon"

"Good music kid......keep it up!"

"Great stuff Joe! I'll look for you in Philly soon"

"Word spreads when somebody plays music amazingly."

"Hey man, I dig the sound. Good stuff. Let me know when your gigging the NYC area." - N/A

For years, singer/songwriter Joe Miller has been content to play local clubs and coffee shops.

Miller, a Mansfield University sophomore and 2004 Edison High School graduate, still enjoys doing that.

He and a friend arranged a version of Elton John's "Rocket Man" that has a kind of cult following around campus, he said.

But, as satisfying as playing the local scene can be, every musician dreams of something a little bigger. Joe is no exception. That's why he's so excited about his May 27 gig.

Joe will sing at the Lion's Den, a club near New York University in New York City.

It's just a one-night stand and isn't likely to lead to fortune and fame, but to Miller, it's a dream come true.

I first met Joe in 2003 when he was a junior at Edison just starting to perform.

To me, he seemed green but confident, inexperienced but clearly talented.

Three years later and with lots of performances under his belt, Joe said he's ready for New York.

You can credit his Big Apple booking to persistence and patience. He has a friend who is studying music management at NYU, and he asked her to look around and see whether there were any venues he might be a good fit for.

One of the clubs she suggested was the Lion's Den.

Joe e-mailed the club's entertainment booker in January.

"I said, 'I'd really like to play at your venue,' " Joe said. "I sent him my biography, but told him I've only really played around our area."

The booker didn't sign Joe right up, but he didn't snuff out his hopes, either.

He told Joe to contact him again in April to discuss the possibility of an early summer show.

"I was waiting and waiting for April 1st," Joe said.

In the meantime, Joe looked into the Lion's Den's history a little bit.

What he found wasn't encouraging. The club had hosted nationally known acts like Dashboard Confessional, Phish and Sister Hazel. Joe found it a little hard to believe they'd be interested in a small-town acoustic act.

Still, he allowed himself the pleasure of the dream.

"April 1st came around, and I forwarded him the e-mail he sent before, so he'd remember," he said.

"He gave me a kind of over-the-e-mail interview. I told him about some Web sites where he could hear my music."

Joe told the booker he could probably count on about 20 friends and family from the Twin Tiers to travel to the show. That seemed to be the clincher. The club offered him a gig.

"He sent an e-mail that said this is a 100 percent a go," Joe said. "I was blown away. I just booked a gig in New York City. I got really excited."

Joe is studying music education at Mansfield, but said with all his experience promoting his own act over the years, he's becoming more and more interested in the business side of music.

Right now, he's concentrating on practicing as the date gets closer.

"I think I'm ready for it," he said. "I'll be bringing down a lot of family and friends. They're all behind me on this. That's a great feeling." - John P. Cleary - Elmira Star-Gazette (May 14, 2006)