Jay Miley

Press Reviews

Blues Review Magazine – Tom Hyslop
South Carolina veteran Jay Miley settled on acoustic and resonator guitars for his latest project. Last Man Standing (CRS9605), Bill Nance’s B-3 excepted, is an unplugged affair that puts the emphasis squarely on Miley’s rhythmic playing, his plainspoken singing, and his songs. Gospel (“What A Time”), ballads (“I Can’t Let You Go”), swaggering country rockers (“Man On A Mission”), and blues (“Daisy Jane,” “Rockin’ Chair”) meet at the crossroads. Recommended for fans of folk, blues, or just good music.

Artist to Watch – “Grammy Winner” Fernando Rivas from The City Paper
Lowcountry boy Jay Miley has been making music for a long time. Born and raised in South Carolina, he seemed destined to be a fourth generation farmer, but as a teenager he picked up the guitar and by 16 he was a working musician trading baling hay for strumming chords in nightclubs. He performed with local groups and bands playing everything from blues to rock to country. Later he settled down locally and purchased Charleston Recording Studios on James Island where years earlier he’d recorded Shelter with the Jay Miley Band. His latest CD release Last Man Standing is a mix of soulful southern country, gospel, and blues, tasteful and simple, as clear and straightforward as a Carolina morning. He has worked on several other projects recently, all of which have been favorably received and reviewed here and abroad, among them Frank Carlier’s CD Hellbound, and Ted Mckee and Rodney Stone’s Swing Soup.


Sound Off – Devin Grant from the Post & Courier
The name Jay Miley is no doubt familiar to anyone who follows the local music scene. In addition to having played in several bands, including the Frank Carlier Band and the humbles, Miley has developed a reputation as one of the area’s best producers and sound engineers. While many a local band has benefited from Miley’s technical expertise, the singer/songwriter has also been hard at work on his own solo project.
Last Man Standing is a blues infused, spiritual journey through Miley’s musical mind, and a great trip it is. As Miley picks out bluesy melodies on a steel string guitar, the slow drawl of his voice demonstrates the singer’s true love for the musical style. Songs such as “Rochin’ Chair,” “Glory Train” and “Man On A Mission” will appeal to any fan of great acoustic blues. Particularly good is “What A Time,” a rollicking gospel tune that even features a full choir and a Hammond organ.
As would be expected from a sound engineer, the production quality of the CD is great, and several musicians, including Rodney Stone and Nashville Symphony cellist Matt Walker, add to the album’s sound. All but two of the 11 songs on the CD are original Miley compositions, proving that this recording studio owner has been doing more than just twirling knobs the past few years. (A-)


Other Blurbs
Jay Miley works a groove like nobody’s business. Excellent guitar work and right-on-the-money soulful vocals. An outstanding effort.
Kenneth Johnson/ the Indie File

Miley proves himself more than capable in a variety of styles. With a strong cast of supporting musicians, Jay has produced a solid example of music that matters.
Jimmy Rostar/ Music Reviews Quarterly

No-nonsense tunes that will bring you back the very root of what good music really is- heart and soul.
Robert Pipkin/ ESP Magazine

Every song on “Last Man Standing” has its own story and its own feeling. Each song is different and each song certainly stands on its own.
Eddie Hogan/ Charleston’s Free Time

Good lyrics with a ‘real’ quality to the music. Nothing fake or artificial there. “Last Man Standing” is terrific.
Pulitzer winning poet Paul Allen/ interviewed in Preview magazine
- assorted press