Blues band entertains in Lafayette

By Megan Finnerty
Features Editor

The 7-year-old's name is LD Miller. He's wearing a miniature black cowboy hat, a black sweater vest and tiny gray trousers.

He crowds his 3-foot mike stand and blows into his cupped hands, then he sucks out the air from between his palms and the dark room fills with the whine of his blues harmonica.

People came from all over Indiana to hear this, the Clayton Miller Blues Band's album release party at 8 Saturday night at Maize Catering in downtown Lafayette.

Kathryn Pittman and James Penn caught the family blues band when it played in Indianapolis and have been following Clayton, 18; Cole, 15; LD and their Dad, Larry, ever since.

"Any time a little kid can play the harmonica like an old man, that's amazing," Pittman said.

LD's been playing the harmonica since March and his family's band has been playing summer festivals, coffeehouses and bars for the past two years. Saturday's party celebrated the release of the band's first CD, which was recorded at Duncan Hall a year ago.

The dim, spacious room was filled with friends of the brothers who are too young to get into the bar gigs, friends of the family and fans. By 8:30, the smoke-free room was standing room only and more fans continued to pour in from the rain-soaked streets outside to the blues-soaked room inside.

"It's pretty fun, tiring and hot," Cole said with a smile. "This is a lot better than the bars because my friends can come and we can actually breathe here."

For three hours, the Millers played originals and covers such as "Rainy Monday," "Low Down Dirty Blues" and "Sky is Cryin'."

The blues comes in many flavors and the Clayton Miller Blues Band screamed, pleaded and growled through them all. When LD hopped off the low stage for a break, guitarist Clayton and drummer Cole took turns singing plaintive, aching blues and hoarse, dirty blues.

While the Miller brothers lamented their loveless relationships, their rough days, their cruel exes, the audience shouted and clapped, encouraging them to give more.

"Sweet Home Chicago" was supposed to have been the last song, but the Millers weren't ready to stop once they had the audience on its feet and screaming. The brothers switched instruments and Cole matched Clayton on guitar as Clayton kept up on drums.

Howls and catcalls filled the darkness as Cole yelled out, "Watch this. You watchin'?" Then he showboated, making the guitar sing along with him until he was all smiles and heading back to his drum kit and dirty blues singing.

"I give you all my money, and you go on and spend it on another man," little LD cried out during the last song, bringing the audience to its feet and to tears of laughter.