Dave Miller has been playing music, performing, and writing songs for 5 decades. He has played in taverns, dance halls, concert venues, festivals, showcases, and coffee houses from coast to coast across the US and in British Columbia. Dave began playing music at age 13 when his mother bought him a five-string banjo for Christmas the year his father passed away. Dave would tune it up and play along with the country and bluegrass stars who performed on the Saturday afternoon music shows. He sometimes jokes that it was the great Earl Scruggs himself who taught Dave to play the banjo—Dave sitting on his sofa in Little Rock, Arkansas, Earl in the television studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Dave joined his first band, The 49ers, shortly thereafter in 1964 at the age of 14. Over time, Levon Helm, Merle Haggard, Delbert McClinton, Guy Clark, and John Prine all came to influence him.

On Party in the Pines, Dave's fifth full-length album project and the third an Howlin' Dog Records, Dave once again takes us on a tour of life's adventures as seen through his trademark window of wit, heart, and deep observation.

The journey begins with “Jaded Soul” a delightful look back from the perspective of a mature troubadour reflecting on his life's journey, and the role of music in providing meaning and inspiration on the path. Next we enjoy the delightful love song of “Baby Loves the Wind” and how the deep love for one's life partner provides depth and dimension to all that life holds. And then we move on to the rollicking “Party in the Pines”, the title cut for the collection, detailing a night to remember, gathering with friends and family to celebrate the joy of it all somewhere out in the woods, and featuring Dave on banjo, co-producer Don Richmond on various instruments and Eric Lewis on acoustic guitar. (We don't want to get anyone in trouble, but pretty sure that during Dave's time as the leader of the 'Hillbilly Fusion' band Gumbo, he had personal experience with several such events!)

Next we have a meditation on the dark side of life's adventures and misadventures with “Loser's Prayer”, a cautionary tale for sure! Dave then continues our journey with the beautiful and tender reminiscence of falling in love in “Only Time Can Tell”, featuring the harmony vocals of Rhonda Schoenecker. Next up is the smokin' rockabilly of “Mama Raised a Fool”, featuring the rollicking piano of Jimmy Stadler and the sweet lap steel of Eric Lewis. Then we move into the tender exploration of love and life of “Stubborn Heart”, followed by the whimsical adventures of a reluctant cowboy in “Greenhorn's Lament”, where the budding cowpoke is ready to return to the comforts of civilization. Our journey then moves up in the mountains with the 'sixth sense' sort of story of “Clementine”, a good old kick-up-your-heels square dance sort of tune, again with Dave on banjo.

Then Dave treats us to his autobiographical tale of rekindled love in “Cafe Afternoon”, painting a vivid picture of two hearts coming back to life. Next it's time to get something good to eat, with “Memphis BBQ Blues”, which gives you the recipe to cure whatever ails you, followed by Dave's lovely sepia-toned childhood remembrance of his father in the “Nail Can”, featuring the sweet harmonica work of Lyn Jones and the lovely harmony vocals of Abbye West-Pates. “Backside of a Guitar” is Dave's deep dive into the wonder of music and the power of live performance, all from the perspective of a lifetime of immersion in the art, featuring Don Richmond on lead electric guitar and pedal steel. The collection closes with the peaceful beauty of “Rain”, an appreciation of life's gifts, again featuring Abbye West-Pates on harmony vocals and Don Richmond on mandolin, accordion and cedar flute.

Party in the Pines is a masterful journey through the ups and downs of love and life, shining a light on so many of the sights, sounds, and feelings along the way that provide the richness that makes it all worthwhile. Thanks for joining us!

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