Bill Miller

We were delighted with Bill's two performances at the Saratoga Native American Festival. His audiences were spellbound, moved by his musicianship, his wonderful voice, and the deep spiritual and cultural content of his entire presentation. He received standing ovations after each of his sets. As a measure of how he managed to touch everyone, even our professional sound engineer, who has been working concerts for many years said that he'd never experienced anything like it before. Bill lived up to our expectations and surpassed them. Our attendance figures for Saturday, the day Bill performed, were about 5,500

- Joe Bruchac, Director, Native American Music & Arts Festival - Festival Promoter

As expected, Bill was marvelous. His performance still has people talking about it and wondering if we could bring him back. The only complaint was that people wished he could have played for an additional couple of hours!! The workshop that he gave was also a real special opportunity for our students. His message was very personal, understandable and powerful. The students reported that Bill's talk was one of the most educational experiences that they have encountered.

- Lisa Blackford, Diversity/Academic Advisor - Traverse City, MI - Concert Review

Bill's lecture and concert were both phenomenal. He was extremely genuine, down-to-earth, kind, easy going and funny. He's been the talk of campus for the last week
. Everyone really enjoyed listening to his lecture and learning about his life, where he came from, and the obstacles he's overcome to get where he is today.
They've made comments about how he is a "real person" and not some Grammy winner that didn't have time to relate to other people.
The concert was excellent as well. From his song selection, drone flute playing to his stories in between we couldn't have asked for more. The audience was extremely grateful for the college hosting such an event.

One other note of importance...for the last song (Knockin' on Heaven's Door) Bill called up a student from the audience to sing with him.
She really was grateful for such an experience and she said it's something she'll never forget

- Gogebic Community College

Bill's performance could not have been any better! The audience response was exceptional, as always.
Phil Siganer, Town Crier Cafe - Pawling, NY
- Promoter

"...powerful and poetic..."

- USA Today

"Millers best songs are not pure narratives, but musical murals of powerfully visual images and moments. It is not surprising that sucha cinematic songwriter was once a painter by trade" - The Boston Blobe

"Miller is an American treasure, an artist whose lyrical depth and musical prowess hade made him a popular live performer" - Billboard Magazine

Dear Friends,
Bill Miller will be honored by the Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.)
with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
I can't think of a better way
to be reminded of how long he's been around.
I met Bill decades ago and was always happy to run into him from time to time.
I've never been much
interested in trying to measure the gifts that someone
like Bill Miller brings into the world. It's sort of like trying to remember which
sunset was prettier than another, or trying to rate the smile of a little kid,
or the heart of a wild horse, or the sparkle of a mountain stream,
or the wisdom of growing things, or the look in a lovers eyes.
And, yet somehow we
are reminded of all
these kinds of things in the songs of our best singers.
And Bill has always reminded me of what our singers and writers are all about, singing
what cannot be spoken,
echoing what cannot be heard, in ways that ring true and honest.
In short, I love this guy. And I'm happy for him to be so honored.
For in this way,
all the things that are meaningful to him are also honored.
And to think, he's hasn't even lived a lifetime yet!
Much love,
Arlo Guthrie
- Arlo Guthrie

Dear Bill,
congratulations on your life-time acheivement award!
Here is my song for you!
(quote at end)

Hey-hey-hey!
Listen to me,
now
Listen to me!
This song is for my big brother

I am singing of Bill Miller!
Brother you have never lost the way
Your spirit, like an underground river,

Nourishing everything that grows!
You push the roots up from below!
Heya hey!
Listen to me brother,
This life is short, but spirit lives long,

You know this, you know this!
Now is the time to lift your voice in song!
Oh great friend, you know the seasons,
How they come and how they go;

At home, the many reasons why
A man must go out on the road;
So travel forth again on the medicine trail,
From Anadarko to Monadnock,

The people raise their ears to hear
Your singing of arrival!
Hey, hey, I am singing!
I am singing of your arrival,
The gifts that you bring.
My confidence is restored,
My faith in human kind is nourished!
Hey brother Bill! Singing on the way
The great spirit listens,
Beadwork rainbows glisten,
Smell of sweetgrass;
Hey, ya-hey!

"My spiritual brother Bill Miller nourishes the roots of his art
with steadfast faith in the goodness of man.
Bill is the positive force for music and art to attain splendid insight
and calls to us to join him, in his dance of delight!"

- Peter Rowan - Peter Rowan

"I've known Bill for half of my life. I've always admired his love and dedication for his Native American roots. After all these years we finally got to work together. I find it easy to understand why he would be given this important award. Congratulations!"

- Vince Gill - Congrats from Vince Gill