Young harmonica player's TV series gig goes well

Lafayette's littlest harmonica player will make his national television debut this month as part of NBC's The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America.

L.D. Miller, 9, a member of the Clayton Miller Blues Band, will be featured on the 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, episode for the Star Search for kids-like program.

The taping wrapped up Friday, and the Millers say they have had a blast during their first Los Angeles experience.

During L.D.'s taping, only father Larry Miller was allowed to watch from the side of the stage. The rest of the family was in the studio audience.

He said he was used to seeing his youngest son wail onstage from the hundreds of gigs they've played together over the past few years, but Larry had no bass guitar in hand during the taping. L.D. had several cameras in his face, and Larry said his son held his composure.

"This was a really big experience. It was awesome seeing him out there performing on that stage," Larry said from a Los Angeles hotel that also contained a sleeping L.D. "I was so proud."

L.D. performed a 1 minute, 45 second snippet of the blues classic "Baby What You Want Me to Do" solo. A soundtrack of acoustic music by older brothers and bandmates Clayton and Cole accompanied L.D.

Most Talented Kid is hosted by Saved by the Bell alum Mario Lopez, and L.D. was judged by a panel of celebrity judges: N'Sync's Lance Bass, actress and model Daisy Fuentes, and musician Jermaine Jackson.

The Millers got to meet all of the judges and Lopez. Mother and manager Tammy Miller spent a lot of time talking to Jackson, who was excited to meet some fellow Hoosiers.

"When he said he's from Gary, I said, 'I know that. Who doesn't know that?' " Tammy said.

The show was taped in an old Tonight Show with Johnny Carson studio. In a neighboring studio, Ringo Starr's band was rehearsing, and the drummer from Liverpool, England, bumped into the Lafayette blues boy in a green room.

Tammy said the Beatle beat a rhythm on some furniture, and L.D. launched into a tune that drew a crowd of more than 20 people.

"I don't know if he knew who Ringo is, but we were like 'How cool is that?' " Tammy said.

She gave him a copy of the Clayton Miller Blues Band's latest album, Gotta Have Love. Tammy said the former Beatle looked at the disc and replied, "Gotta Have Love. Right on."

Most Talented Kid will debut at 8 p.m. Friday and will continue for a few weeks until the April finals. L.D. will be in the 8-12 age category. The two other categories are for ages 3-7 and 13-15.

The Millers met many other contestants, including 4-year-old drummers, pianists and singers and their families.

"These kids aren't really competitive," Larry said. "We got close to a lot of families, and they'll become lifelong friends."

What's next?

NBC's The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America will debut at 8 p.m. Friday. Lafayette child musician L.D. Miller will be a contestant on March 28's episode.

The Clayton Miller Blues Band will get back to touring next week with concerts in Illinois and Indiana, including a gig at 9 p.m. March 22 at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer.