Scott Miller

w/ Sandra McCracken and Don Auber

Wednesday, January 24 @ Melting Point

originally published January 24, 2007

Athenians have a unique opportunity with the current Melting Point "Uncorked & Unplugged" series. Whereas many events of this sort are the type where an established musician jumps onstage to plow through some well-known, but non-electrified, versions of his or her own songs, the Melting Point series is, while still a quiet affair, perhaps the opposite.

At these events, audiences get to hear currently rising artists perform their songs to, ostensibly, new audiences without forcing those audiences through the late-night, loud-and-crowded bar scene that usually goes hand in hand with finding new music to enjoy. In the case of Scott Miller, crowds will be able to catch an artist coming up for the second time around.

Knoxville guy Miller initially hit the almost-big time with the critically acclaimed, (and honestly not half-bad!) V-Roys, which disbanded in 1999; he now normally performs with an entire backing band known as The Commonwealth. This show is in the middle of a sizable East Coast tour for the band and although Miller has to "work" on this night, I’m sure the band, which along with Miller comprise the house band for "Blue Collar TV," will enjoy the time off.

Miller's music runs the line between bluesy rock jams and Americana-laden narratives. His current album Citation is his third for venerable Sugar Hill Records. Fans tend to pack his shows, especially in his native Tennessee, so it wouldn’t hurt to really arrive at his performance on time. Word is that Miller also engages audiences with a decent amount of storytelling. Of course, this could very well be rumor, but, if true, then this is certainly the forum to participate in such activity. Besides, The Melting Point offers half-price wine during these shows, so maybe you’ll come back with a story of your own.

Gordon Lamb