Singer/songwriter Scott Miller is a man of few words. His interviews move at a brisk pace, but his delivery is sincere and his responses are thoughtful. Simply put, a conversation with Miller plays like one of his songs - plainspoken, direct and possessing the ability to find humor in tight situations. Since his days in the V-Roys, Miller has released a string of acclaimed solo albums while hopping trains like a modern-day Woody Guthrie. On Wednesday, April 22, Miller will perform a solo acoustic show at The Nick. Recently, I spoke to Miller by phone from his Knoxville, Tenn. home. BT: Scott, thanks for your time today. We're really enjoying the new disc, For Crying Out Loud. You self-released the album - it seems like the pros would outweigh the cons given the freedom in doing so. SM: I'm waiting for the pros (laughs). The payoff is supposed to be better, but it's been a lot of work. I don't see why you'd want to do it on a label anymore. I love [former record label] Sugar Hill, but I left - I asked off because it didn't make sense anymore. BT: If you will, talk about the material on For Crying Out Loud. How did the songs take shape? SM: I've had "She's Still Mine" for about a year and a half. "Heart In Harm's Way" was an old V-Roys song that I worked on and never finished. About this time last year, we moved my wife's parents down here - her dad was sick and he passed away. I wasn't touring and I'd go write for a couple of hours - it was almost like a day job. BT: How is it that a song from the V-Roy days didn't surface until now? SM: Because I wasn't desperate (laughs). BT: How does a song stay fresh to you when you've literally performed it thousands of times before? SM: You've got to write it good to begin with. When you write one, you've got to think about how many nights you're going to play it. It has to go through that Litmus test. BT: If you will, talk about technology and the ability to reach listeners by utilizing it. SM: I'll steal a phrase from Jimmy Lester - I'm at the top of the middle, career-wise, so it's made for a guy like me. BT: How does your approach change when you're solo compared to performing with a full band? SM: When I'm solo I get to keep the money. Levi Lowrey opens the 9 p.m. show. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at www.thenickrocks.com or by calling 252-3831.
CherriMadry
