Biscuit Miller facts for kids

David Leon "Biscuit" Miller, born on December 30, 1961, is an American musician. He plays electric blues music, sings, and writes his own songs. He creates most of his music himself. So far, he has released four albums. Biscuit Miller has won a special award called the Blues Music Award. He won it twice, in 2012 and 2017, for being the best bass player.

Some of his most famous songs are "Lay It On Down", "Bottle of Whiskey Bottle of Wine", "Going Home", "One More Mile", "Monday Morning Blues", and "Wishbone". Miller performed at the Bradenton Blues Festival in December 2017. The music magazine Down Beat said he was "a real crowd-pleaser."

About Biscuit Miller's Life

Miller was born in South Side, Chicago, Illinois, United States. His grandmother raised him. He got his childhood nickname 'Biscuit' because he ate a whole pan of his grandmother's biscuits right before supper!

He found a four-string electric bass guitar that belonged to his friend's older brother. This made him want to learn to play the instrument right away. Miller learned about the blues through his connection to Willie Dixon. Miller said, "I went to school with Willie's kids." He added, "Willie did one of the first blues programs in Chicago." He remembered, "Once, he brought in this little kid named Lucky Peterson." Miller noted that "hearing the band play excited... and made me want to play music."

Starting His Music Career

Miller formed his first band called Clever with his cousin, Ivan Wallace. They both moved to Minneapolis in 1982. Miller then worked with Sonny Rodgers. He learned a lot about playing the blues from Rodgers. They recorded an album together called They Call Me the Cat Daddy. This album won Rodgers a Handy Award for Best New Artist. Sadly, Rodgers passed away before he could accept his award.

Miller then played bass for George "Mojo" Buford and Lady Blue. Lady Blue was a backing vocalist for Ike & Tina Turner. During this time, Miller was asked to play bass for one night with another blues musician from Chicago, Lonnie Brooks. Miller ended up staying with Brooks' band for over ten years! He even played at the second inauguration of Bill Clinton, who was the President at the time.

In 2000, Miller started his own band called Biscuit and The Mix. He formed it to play music when he wasn't busy with Lonnie Brooks. They recorded Miller's first album, Come Together, in 2002. Miller also played with Anthony Gomes before joining his band full-time. He helped record three albums with Gomes: Sweet Stringin' Soul (2000), Unity (2002), and Music is the Medicine (2006).

Forming His Own Band

By 2009, Biscuit Miller had formed his own band. He said, "I was getting on up in my 50s... I'd done all this playing with everybody else, and it just seemed like time." He added, "I can play this bass fairly well and I can sing a little bit and I know how to smile."

His album Blues with a Smile was released in 2010. Other musicians who played on the album 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 band, The Mix. In 2012, Miller won his first Blues Music Award. His album Blues with a Smile was also played on Sirius XM Radio. In 2013, Miller performed at the Daytona Blues Festival.

His album Wishbone came out in 2016. The main song on the album was inspired by Miller's two grandsons. They were excited about making a wish on the turkey wishbone during their Thanksgiving dinner. In May 2017, Miller won his second Blues Music Award for being the best bass player.

He currently lives in Highland, Lake County, Indiana. His main music base is in Indianapolis.

Biscuit Miller's Albums

Here are the albums Biscuit Miller has released:

More to Explore

• List of electric blues musicians