Julie Miller
Encyclopedia
Julie Miller is a songwriter, singer, and recording artist currently living in Nashville
, Tennessee
. She married Buddy Miller
in 1981. They sing and play on each other's solo projects and have recorded a duets album on HighTone Records.
An eight-track 1985 demo from Miller included two songs that were later included on Meet Julie Miller, but the remaining six songs were not re-recorded. The songs on this tape are: "I Don't Need Anything Else", "Mystery Love" (Synth Pop Version), "Love Is", "I Look to You", "I Don't Need", "What Does it Take", "I Wanna Be Ready", "King of my Heart" (not the same as that which appeared later on her first Myrrh release), "My New Psychiatrist" (Synth Pop Version with different lyrics), "Debby Came Back", "Dangerous Place" (Synth Pop Version).
In 1987 Julie contributed background vocals to the song "Remember Me" on Benny Hester
's album Through the Window.
Miller's musical career initially took off after singer Sam Phillips
discovered a demo tape by the artist and turned it over to friends at Myrrh Records
. Miller was signed to a contract and recorded her first solo album, Meet Julie Miller for the label, released in 1990. This album included backing vocals from Shawn Colvin
, Victoria Williams
, Amy Grant
, Kelly Willard
and Russ Taff
.
Miller's second solo album, He Walks Through Walls (1991) also included backing vocals from Colvin, Williams, Grant and Willard as with her debut. Mark Heard
and Reverend Dan Smith also contributed vocals. This album included the original version of the song "Broken Things", which was later re-recorded.
In 1992, Miller participated in the album, Cry of the Heart: Emily's Eyes, an album released to bring hope to victims of child abuse, by providing the title track. Julie mentioned after a 2002 concert in Kentucky that the song "Emily's Eyes" had one line edited out of it, as there was concern regarding the "implications". No further details were given explaining.
Miller's 1993 album Orphans and Angels included a duet with Emmylou Harris
on the song "All My Tears", which has become one of Miller's most popular songs. Jazz
vocalist Jimmy Scott
also contributed vocals. The song was written after the death of Mark Heard. Miller also covered Heard's song "Treasure of the Broken Land". Shawn Colvin once again contributed background vocals.
Miller's fourth solo album was released by Street Level Records, a departure from Word Records which released her first three solo albums. Julie covered The Williams Brothers song "Can't Cry Hard Enough" on this album. Victoria Williams, Mark Olson
and the Electrics
provided background vocals.
In 1997, Julie Miller switched to Hightone Records
are released Blue Pony, an eclectic collection which includes contributions from Emmylou Harris
, Buddy Miller
, Valerie Carter
. This was followed by her most recent solo album Broken Things in 1999 which includes new versions of "Broken Things" and "All My Tears" as well as notable new songs "I Know Why The River Runs," "Orphan Train," "Out In The Rain" and "I Still Cry."
The first duo album of Buddy and Julie Miller, entitled Buddy & Julie Miller
was released in 2001, this was followed by Love Snuck Up a compilation of the Millers' Hightone Recordings in 2002.
After the 1998 Omagh bombing
in Northern Ireland
, local singer Juliet Turner performed a version of Miller's song "Broken Things" at a memorial service for the victims of the bombing.
Julie and Buddy Miller teamed up with Victoria Williams, Mark Olson, and Jim Lauderdale
for a European tour billed as "The Rolling Creek Dippers" in the 90s.
The Dixie Chicks
, Linda Ronstadt
, Ann Savoy
, Lee Ann Womack
, Emmylou Harris, Jars of Clay
, Julie Roberts
, Selah
, Brooks & Dunn
, Lucy Kaplansky
, Miranda Lambert
, and Ilse DeLange
have recorded the songs of Julie Miller, as well as songs written by both her and Buddy.
Buddy Miller announced that this fall, a Julie Miller compilation is planned, which will include tracks picked by Julie from her first four albums, which have been out of print for many years.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. She married Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee...
in 1981. They sing and play on each other's solo projects and have recorded a duets album on HighTone Records.
Biography
Miller's first recording was on the mini LP album Streetlight, which consisted of Julie, Buddy and Ron Krueger. Julie and Buddy provided some songwriting to the LP, which included the original version of "Jesus in Your Eyes" (later re-recorded for Orphans and Angels). "How Could You Say No" (written by Mickey Cates) was also originally performed on this album, and later included in Julie's solo debut Meet Julie Miller.An eight-track 1985 demo from Miller included two songs that were later included on Meet Julie Miller, but the remaining six songs were not re-recorded. The songs on this tape are: "I Don't Need Anything Else", "Mystery Love" (Synth Pop Version), "Love Is", "I Look to You", "I Don't Need", "What Does it Take", "I Wanna Be Ready", "King of my Heart" (not the same as that which appeared later on her first Myrrh release), "My New Psychiatrist" (Synth Pop Version with different lyrics), "Debby Came Back", "Dangerous Place" (Synth Pop Version).
In 1987 Julie contributed background vocals to the song "Remember Me" on Benny Hester
Benny Hester
Benny Hester is a music artist and songwriter. He is best known for his chart-topping songs, "When God Ran" and top 40 crossover hit "Nobody Knows Me Like You"...
's album Through the Window.
Miller's musical career initially took off after singer Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips (singer)
Leslie Ann Phillips, aka Sam Phillips is an American singer and a songwriter.-Biography:Phillips was born in Glendale, California. She began her musical career as a vocalist in the early 1980s, singing background parts for Christian artists Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill and others...
discovered a demo tape by the artist and turned it over to friends at Myrrh Records
Myrrh Records
Myrrh Records, also known as Myrrh Worship, is a Christian music record label. According to Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, the label was instrumental in developing a popular following for Contemporary Christian music as the label that first published music by Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of...
. Miller was signed to a contract and recorded her first solo album, Meet Julie Miller for the label, released in 1990. This album included backing vocals from Shawn Colvin
Shawn Colvin
Shawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
, Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams is an American singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a...
, Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
, Kelly Willard
Kelly Willard
Kelly Willard is a Contemporary Christian Musician best known for her praise and worship recordings. She was featured as a soloist on projects from Integrity, Vineyard Music, and Maranatha! Music...
and Russ Taff
Russ Taff
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
.
Miller's second solo album, He Walks Through Walls (1991) also included backing vocals from Colvin, Williams, Grant and Willard as with her debut. Mark Heard
Mark Heard
John Mark Heard was a record producer, folk-rock singer, and songwriter originally from Macon, Georgia, USA....
and Reverend Dan Smith also contributed vocals. This album included the original version of the song "Broken Things", which was later re-recorded.
In 1992, Miller participated in the album, Cry of the Heart: Emily's Eyes, an album released to bring hope to victims of child abuse, by providing the title track. Julie mentioned after a 2002 concert in Kentucky that the song "Emily's Eyes" had one line edited out of it, as there was concern regarding the "implications". No further details were given explaining.
Miller's 1993 album Orphans and Angels included a duet with Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
on the song "All My Tears", which has become one of Miller's most popular songs. Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
vocalist Jimmy Scott
Jimmy Scott
Jimmy Scott , aka "Little" Jimmy Scott, is an American jazz vocalist famous for his unusually high contralto voice which is due to Kallmann's syndrome, a very rare genetic condition. The condition stunted his growth at four feet eleven inches until, at age 37, he grew another 8 inches to the...
also contributed vocals. The song was written after the death of Mark Heard. Miller also covered Heard's song "Treasure of the Broken Land". Shawn Colvin once again contributed background vocals.
Miller's fourth solo album was released by Street Level Records, a departure from Word Records which released her first three solo albums. Julie covered The Williams Brothers song "Can't Cry Hard Enough" on this album. Victoria Williams, Mark Olson
Mark Olson (musician)
Mark Olson is an American musician. He is one of the founding members of acclaimed alternative country bands The Jayhawks and The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers and a respected singer/songwriter in his own right....
and the Electrics
The Electrics
The Electrics are a Celtic rock band from Dumbarton, Scotland. They formed in 1988 when former Infrapenny members Sammy Horner and Paul Baird asked drummer Dave McArthur and sax/keyboard player Allan Hewitt to play a gig at Glasgow's Impact Festival. The band released a self-financed cassette...
provided background vocals.
In 1997, Julie Miller switched to Hightone Records
HighTone Records
HighTone Records was an independent record label based in Oakland, California. Hightone specialized in American roots music including, country, rockabilly, western swing, blues and gospel. The label was created by Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg in 1983...
are released Blue Pony, an eclectic collection which includes contributions from Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee...
, Valerie Carter
Valerie Carter
Valerie Carter to James J and Dorothy Carter, is an American singer-songwriter...
. This was followed by her most recent solo album Broken Things in 1999 which includes new versions of "Broken Things" and "All My Tears" as well as notable new songs "I Know Why The River Runs," "Orphan Train," "Out In The Rain" and "I Still Cry."
The first duo album of Buddy and Julie Miller, entitled Buddy & Julie Miller
Buddy & Julie Miller
Buddy & Julie Miller is a 2001 album by Buddy and Julie Miller. Prior to this recording the husband and wife singer-songwriters had each made appearances on the other's solo recordings, but this disc marked their first official release as a duo. The music has been described as more rock based than...
was released in 2001, this was followed by Love Snuck Up a compilation of the Millers' Hightone Recordings in 2002.
After the 1998 Omagh bombing
Omagh bombing
The Omagh bombing was a car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army , a splinter group of former Provisional Irish Republican Army members opposed to the Good Friday Agreement, on Saturday 15 August 1998, in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Twenty-nine people died as a...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, local singer Juliet Turner performed a version of Miller's song "Broken Things" at a memorial service for the victims of the bombing.
Julie and Buddy Miller teamed up with Victoria Williams, Mark Olson, and Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale is a musician & singer-songwriter who performs bluegrass and country music. He has recorded since 1986 and has released nineteen studio albums. Artists who have recorded his material include George Strait and Patty Loveless.-Biography:...
for a European tour billed as "The Rolling Creek Dippers" in the 90s.
The Dixie Chicks
Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks are an American country band which has also successfully crossed over into other genres. The band is composed of founding members Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Erwin Robison, and lead singer Natalie Maines...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Ann Savoy
Ann Savoy
Ann Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
, Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
, Emmylou Harris, Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
, Julie Roberts
Julie Roberts
Julie Roberts is an American country music singer. Signed to Mercury Nashville in 2004, Roberts made her debut that year with the single "Break Down Here", a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and the first track from her self-titled debut album...
, Selah
Selah
Selah is a word used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in the Psalms, and is a difficult concept to translate. It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like "stop and listen"...
, Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
, Lucy Kaplansky
Lucy Kaplansky
Lucy Kaplansky is an American folk musician based in New York City. Kaplansky also has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Yeshiva University.-Biography:...
, Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert is an American country music artist who gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star, where she finished in third place and later signed to Epic Records. Lambert made her debut with the release of "Me and Charlie Talking", the first single from her 2005 debut...
, and Ilse DeLange
Ilse DeLange
Ilse Annoeska de Lange is a Dutch country and pop singer, better known as Ilse DeLange .-Biography:...
have recorded the songs of Julie Miller, as well as songs written by both her and Buddy.
Buddy Miller announced that this fall, a Julie Miller compilation is planned, which will include tracks picked by Julie from her first four albums, which have been out of print for many years.
Discography
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christian | US Country | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
|||
| 1990 | Meet Julie Miller | 23 | Myrrh | |||
| 1991 | He Walks Through Walls | 27 | ||||
| 1993 | Orphans and Angels | 29 | ||||
| 1994 | Invisible Girl | Street Level | ||||
| 1997 | Blue Pony | HighTone | ||||
| 1999 | Broken Things | |||||
| 2001 | Buddy & Julie Miller Buddy & Julie Miller Buddy & Julie Miller is a 2001 album by Buddy and Julie Miller. Prior to this recording the husband and wife singer-songwriters had each made appearances on the other's solo recordings, but this disc marked their first official release as a duo. The music has been described as more rock based than... (with Buddy Miller Buddy Miller Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee... ) |
45 | 41 | |||
| 2004 | Love Snuck Up (with Buddy Miller) | |||||
| 2009 | Written in Chalk Written in Chalk Written in Chalk is an album by Buddy and Julie Miller, released in 2009. It won numerous awards at the 2009 Americana Music Association awards: Album of the Year and the song "Chalk" won the Song of the Year... (with Buddy Miller) |
159 | 3 | New West |