Artist description Five years ago, a shopping trip to a local record store turned out to be a life-changing experience for me. While browsing through the blues section, I heard a familiar song playing on the store's sound system, which I recognized as my friend Kathy Moriarty's recording of 'Can't Keep My Mind On My Work', from the 'No Illusions' compilation on Hot Wings Records. As I perused the CD bins in search of rare treasures, I was suddenly struck motionless by a particularly hypnotic track called 'Except Around The Eyes', which featured a wonderfully sensual rhythm, a gorgeous melody, and intriguing lyrics. That was my introduction to the music of Katie Miller. During the intervening years we have become close friends and have shared many wonderful nights of music on many stages. I have had the extreme pleasure of accompanying her on lead guitar and occasional harmonica, and she has accompanied me on guitar, piano, percussion, and drums, in addition to adding her soulful harmony vocals to many of my original songs, and an amazing vocal tour de force on my cover of Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' during one of my annual Birthday Bashes at Nietzsche's in Buffalo. Katie's self-produced debut CD, 'Strongest Girl In The World' chronicles her growth as a musician, as a songwriter, and as a woman over the period of the past few years. The musical menu mixes joyous uptempo numbers with some of the most tender and poignant ballads heard anywhere. The road hasn't always been smooth, and Katie pulls no punches in telling it like it was. Among my personal favorites are 'Years Ago', Katie's haunting inner child song, on which I accompanied her in the studio on minor-key harmonica with just a touch of added guitar, and 'Feed the Fire', a jazz-influenced rocker with a touch of the blues, which gave me the opportunity to add some emotionally expressive guitar licks. Kathy Moriarty adds her ethereal harmonies to the achingly beautiful 'September Leaves', one of my favorite songs of all time, and the young daughters of Executive Producer Dee Pugliese and Publicist Ronnie Francis, respectively, add their combined voices to the title track. I was with Katie in the studio when she overdubbed the Caribbean-flavored keyboards on 'Strongest Girl' and the bluesy piano on the heart-wrenching 'Fly', yet another personal favorite. The most moving track on the album, musically and emotionally, has to be 'Libby's Song', written for a close friend who has been fighting an exhausting battle with breast cancer. With a strong guitar hook reminiscent of Indigo Girl Emily Saliers' 'Love's Recovery', Katie pleads with her friend not to give up hope. The song is staggering in its impact. This web page is a labor of love, both for the music and for the friendship of a truly wonderful young woman. Your support for her efforts will be greatly appreciated by all concerned. Thanks for visiting this page and for supporting independent songwriters and musicians! (Tim Baldwin - November,1999)

Music Style acoustic alternative folk rock

Musical Influences Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin

Similar Artists Katie is a true original

Artist History Born and raised in California, Katie Miller pitched her tent in Buffalo back in 1992. Since then, Katie has been performing across the East Coast. Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, and Shawn Colvin thrown together...shaken not stirred....sometimes on the rocks, but always smooth... is the best way to describe Katie Miller's style. This long awaited first CD combines thought provoking lyrics and melodies you'll be humming for weeks to come. Katie had appeared on the compilation CD "No Illusions" featuring original, female songwriters produced by Hot Wings Records. Her track, in particular, received much acclaim and air play in Western New York as well as out of state radio stations. She can also be heard on a variety of other local artist's projects. She has been nominated for best original performer as well as best acoustic artist two years in a row in the Buffalo Music Awards. Since her acceptance into the National Association of College Arts Katie has been traveling to colleges in various states sharing her original sounds. Last December, Katie won the 1999 Artvoice Music Award for Best Acoustic Performer!

Group Members Katie Miller - acoustic guitar, keyboards, vocals; Kathy Moriarty - backing vocals; Dave Rosenberg - fretless electric bass; Tony Miranda - drums & percussion; Tim Baldwin - lead guitar, minor key harmonica; Michelle Pugliese - backing vocal; Marlee Francis - backing vocal

Instruments acoustic guitar, keyboards

Albums Strongest Girl in the World

Location Buffalo, New York - USA

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