Buddy Miller

Along with tunesmith David Rawlings, Buddy Miller is a relatively low-profile member of the Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue, a lineup of rootsy performers anchored by Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch -- but that doesn't mean he's low on talent. Indeed, Miller happens to be one of the most...

By Michael Roberts

August 26, 2004

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Along with tunesmith David Rawlings, Buddy Miller is a relatively low-profile member of the Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue, a lineup of rootsy performers anchored by Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch -- but that doesn't mean he's low on talent. Indeed, Miller happens to be one of the most gifted artists working in and around the country-music field. His brawny, propulsive guitar style, which he honed in Harris's band, enhances warmly naturalistic vocals and a knack for writing songs that feel far more authentic than the overly processed fare that's typical of today's Nashville establishment. Since 1995, he's recorded six discs for the independent Hightone imprint, and, from Your Love and Other Lies to Love Snuck Up, there's nary a weak track, let alone a second-rate album, among them. It's a major drag that Miller remains up to his neck in obscurity while the likes of Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney roll in greenbacks. Fortunately, the Revue puts him in far better company than he'd find near the top of the C&W charts. Guess low profiles can have their advantages.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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