Clayton Miller Blues Band Crashes Campus

"Do you have any blue Sharpies here?" A short, long-haired, nine-year-old boy curiously peers into the campus bookstore. When asked what the marker is for, the boy appears disconcerted. "For autographs," he answers shyly. It is hard to believe the boy is on campus as part of the Clayton Miller Blues Band, a family band whose upcoming performance last Thursday night was anxiously awaited. It is even harder to believe that the boy, L.D. Miller, is ranked among the top ten percent of harmonica players…of any age. No wonder he needed a Sharpie.

On tour since August, the band completed their college shows for the semester at UW-La Crosse, a show that was followed by a seven hour drive back home to Indiana. Seven hours of what must have been in pure anticipation of their own beds. Sixteen-year-old drummer and vocalist, Cole Miller confessed his burning desire to try out his new comforter-purchased months before and never used. It is not surprising that sleep is an issue for the band. All four members seem to expel every ounce of energy they have into their music. Twenty-year-old Clayton performed riveting guitar solos with unwavering concentration, Cole cranked out powerful lead vocals with the voice of an experienced adult and a lot of heart, and father Larry's passion for the blues was evident not only with his performance on bass, but on his face. L.D. even tried his voice out towards the end of the night-an event that student Sarah Hausmann shockingly admits, "gave me chills!" The band's music was so expressive that it was impossible not to sway to the slow beats and shake to the fast ones. Despite the relatively low attendance, those that entered Valhalla or even walked past its doors were moved by the remarkable amount of talent the family demonstrated.

Touring as a family for months at a time can initiate a strong bond between family members, as well as provide added strains. The boys' mother Tammy, who also tours with the band, admits that each member has "quit" numerous times. Tammy does her share to maintain the peace by doing the "mom thing," for example: making sure her men are fed, and rushing to Clayton's side upon hearing he crushed one of his fingers moving equipment. Regardless of the unusual lifestyle the family has experienced since first touring in 1999, the sons behave quite normally…right down to the endless teasing and wrestling, performed mostly at L.D.'s expense.

Hopefully, the Millers survived seven more hours together on the road, and Cole has been allowed the chance to finally enjoy his new comforter. Chances are, the family will not be resting long before another string of venues catches on to the phenomenon that is the Clayton Miller Blues Band. Hang onto that Sharpie, L.D., many more opportunities to sign autographs are sure to come.