Clayton Miller Band helps school

L.D. Miller performs locally for first time since TV appearance

About 10 girls ranging in age from 6 to 12 crowded to the front of the audience Sunday at Riehle Brothers in Lafayette when 9-year-old L.D. Miller, who appeared on NBC's The Search for America's Most Talented Kid, took the stage with the Clayton Miller Blues Band.

ON STAGE: L.D. Miller performs with his brother, Clayton, and the rest of the Clayton Miller Band Sunday during a fund-raiser for the New Community School at Riehle Brothers.
(Photo by Tom Leininger, Journal and Courier)

The band was the main act for a benefit concert raising money for New Community School, Tippecanoe County's first charter school. The school is trying to raise money for its own building.

"We're constantly raising money for the same thing," said director Mindi Rohan, who hoped to bring in $3,000 Sunday night.

The school, which is tuition-free and does not receive state funds, rents space from Temple Israel in West Lafayette. Next year, Rohan expects to have 48 children enrolled in the kindergarten to sixth grade at the school.

L.D. is a third-grader at New Community. The concert was his first show in Lafayette since the television show aired.

Beau Clark, who volunteered to be the master of ceremonies, introduced the Clayton Miller Blues Band and L.D.

"L.D., you should have won," said Clark.

"You just weren't pretty enough," he added, as L.D. tossed his head and grinned. "That was your problem, buddy."

Jazz and the blues were the musical themes for the five-hour concert. The Hot Club of Colfax and the Max Allen band opened for the Clayton Miller Blues Band, which featured L.D.'s older brothers, Clayton and Cole, and his father, Larry.

The audience was smaller than last year's crowd, according to Rohan. "Mother's Day hit us hard," she said.

Many of those at the concert were affiliated with the school, but some, Rohan observed, were there to see L.D.

Cheers, applause and shouts of "Yeah L.D.!" rose when L.D. appeared wearing his customary black Stetson. L.D. performed his rendition of Buddy Guy's "Fever" to the delight of the crowd.

While the rest of the band played another song, L.D. took a break to drink his Stewart's root beer and to chat with some friends.

L.D. said he enjoys the "funness" of performing and added that after being on national television, he doesn't get as nervous before his concerts.

Many of L.D.'s schoolmates came for the concert. Joanna Retherford brought her three sons.

"The kids are having a blast listening to great music and playing in the sand (volleyball court)," she said. "And it's for a good cause. It'd be great if they had a building of their own with a playground and a library and a kitchen."

Retherford's sons are in first and second grade at New Community School.

"Public school wasn't working for one of my sons," Retherford said, explaining that he has ADHD. "He's so much happier now. He's made a complete 360."