Kirk McMillan

08.28.2008 Featured artist for XM Channel 43 - XMU radar report

Kirk McMillan is an earnest guy. While listening to bands in Memphis in 2002, he decided something was missing from his life. So when he got back home to Atlanta, he quit his family's food business and bought and learned how to play a guitar. He quickly penned "Corporate Cross," about how a job can become a person's religion.
From there it all snowballed until American Dreamworld came to fruition. Yes, the CD almost crumbles under the weight of all the important issues McMillan could not wait to address. It is a typical flaw with debut CDs. But McMillan more than makes up for it with his musicianship. He has a penchant for mixing white boy funk with an 80's groove. He sometimes wanders dangerously close to Styx country, both in vocals and instrumentation, but he never fully crosses over into the show tune realm that Dennis DeYoung and company favored. McMillan instead keeps a foot firmly placed in the pop world of catchy choruses and full-flavored melodies.

Yes, his earnestness is sometimes grating, but McMillan walks the walk. His Kirk4kids charity gives money to many local organizations that work with children, and almost every concert he does is a benefit for someone. He is like an alcoholic who has found sobriety and wants to share it with everyone. You're happy for him, and sometimes listening to him makes you feel good, but there's still something to be said for talking to the drunk in the corner.

- Atlanta Music Guide

By: Megan Morian
3/26/09
In the early evening at Smith’s Olde Bar, Kirk McMillan took the stage in the Atlanta Room to share his Americana/Classic Southern Rock sound with an enthusiastic audience. He made a point to make his way around the room several times before his set, introducing himself and chatting with patrons. He was even kind enough to introduce himself to me and sit to talk with me for a few minutes! Very down to earth and relaxed, I knew his music would be the same.

Kirk’s band was composed of a keyboardist, a guitar player, a bass player, and a drummer. Kirk himself played the guitar and was the main voice of the band. With a good beat and energy enough to fill the entire bar, the band and Kirk began their set with a sound that immediately reminded me of a combination of Jon Bon Jovi and Tom Petty. With the bass throbbing the room and Kirk’s voice flowing through the microphone with ease and comfort, the band eased through songs such as “Corporate Cross,” ” Put Up Shut Up,” and “One Million Nights.”

Kirk McMillan connected with the crowd when he asked if “anybody had juts gotten off work?” in anticipation of “Corporate Cross.” The audience also got a brief glimpse of Kirk’s life before “One Million Nights.” He informed us that he had graduated from The Citadel (impressive) and that the song had been written for the roughly 3,000 children that lost parents on September 11th.

The show was a very enjoyable one, ending with a free cd in exchange for your email.

For more information on Kirk McMillan, visit his Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/kirkmcmillan. - Megan Morian

The Silver Tongue was on hand this weekend at Eddie’s Attic for Kirk McMillan’s release of Americian Dreamworld. Kirk McMillan is a talented singer and songwriter from Atlanta. The CD is available for purchase on CD Baby and on iTunes. We will have video of Kirk’s performance available later on today so make sure you check back. - thesilvertongueonline

A few weeks ago Senior Contributor Rain and I went out to Eddie’s Attic for the CD release of Kirk McMillan’s American Dreamworld. We had some issues with the video so you’re just now getting to see it (sorry kirk). Kirk performed songs from his new CD to a full house - thesilvertongueonline

Kirk McMillan is an earnest guy. While listening to bands in Memphis in 2002, he decided something was missing from his life. So when he got back home to Atlanta, bought and learned how to play a guitar. He quickly penned "Corporate Cross," about how a job can become a person's religion. From there it all snowballed until American Dreamworld came to fruition. Yes, the CD almost crumbles under the weight of all the important issues McMillan could not wait to address. It is a typical flaw with debut CDs. But McMillan more than makes up for it with his musicianship. He has a penchant for mixing white boy funk with an 80's groove. He sometimes wanders dangerously close to Styx country, both in vocals and instrumentation, but he never fully crosses over into the show tune realm that Dennis DeYoung and company favored. McMillan instead keeps a foot firmly placed in the pop world of catchy choruses and full-flavored melodies. Yes, his earnestness is sometimes grating, but McMillan walks the walk. His Kirk4kids charity gives money to many local organizations that work with children, and almost every concert he does is a benefit for someone. He is like an alcoholic who has found sobriety and wants to share it with everyone. You're happy for him, and sometimes listening to him makes you feel good, but there's still something to be said for talking to the drunk in the corner. - Atlanta Music Guide

Kirk McMillan’s debut album “American Dreamworld” has been described as “New York 60’s rock with a conscience,” but I would call it so much more than that. The proud, patriotic, and strikingly positive and upbeat album reminded me of a softer, more Americana-based Jon Bon Jovi. It is impressive to say the least, playing on America’s freedoms and loves. Listening, I felt like I should have it in the cd player while driving down a country road on a beautiful day.

“Mind of America” begins the album by calling to attention those of us who are living life in a daze and questioning where our minds are, exactly. The band behind Kirk’s catchy vocals provides a good beat that keeps your feet tapping and your hands clapping. “You got the power to light the fire/ Yeah this could be a revolution,” is a call for change among the monotony that sometimes pervades daily life.

“One Million Nights” was inspired by Kirk’s background attending The Citadel, and in memorial of those lost on September 11th. It is at once sad and hopeful at the same time, bringing to mind a military funeral with the lines, “I had a dream about a boy in a box/ Draped in stripes and stars.” The song’s imagery and strength inspired a patriotic feeling and gave rise to the image of our soldiers, past and present, fighting for our freedoms.

The drums and percussion introduce “New Day Rises” with a light beat that almost contradicts lyrics of sameness. Kirk’s voice is strong and powerful, bringing forth lines that sound almost daring and challenging. The guitars, drums, and keyboard towards the end of this song create a rousing, exciting outro.

“Sugar Sugar” instantly encourages a head bob/hip swivel action. The song, about a lover, is pretty hot and brings in another element of American culture: passionate love. It should be a hit on a country/western dance floor; that guitar in the background just creates an irresistible urge to move.

“Corporate Cross,” in a unique twist I’ve never seen before, uses Christian imagery to describe the working world. “ One more day turning water to wine/ Sacrifice my soul for the bottom line/ Sticks and stones flesh and bone/ Sitting upon the cubicle throne.” Lyrics like these beg a religious comparison between climbing the corporate ladder to save your life, and hanging on the cross to save everyone else’s.

“American Dream World” is hopeful and sweet, and tells the story of two people who have different ideas of the America they want. At the same time, they both want the same American Dream World with each other in it. Also functioning as the title of the album, this song questions the American dream and what it means to us individually.

Starting off slowly, “Killin’ Time” is a simple song about making love and generally living life. Mildly erotic, the song has a slow, smooth beat, and of course, Kirk’s relaxing vocals.

“What Goes On” quickly establishes itself with a fast background and might be another enjoyable tune for dancing. The lyrics are fairly simple and encourage the band to take the forefront in a lot of the song. “Baby be good, do what you should/ You know it will be alright;” lines like these are for singing along and having a good time.

“Put Up, Shut Up” is one of my favorite songs on the album for its sassiness and Kirk’s fun attitude that can easily be heard in his voice. It is brazen, bold, and unlike anything else on the album, and for that, I give it two thumbs up for enjoyable originality.

“Game Over” is deceivingly titled. I felt like the game being over might denote the oncoming of a depressing song, but I was pleasantly surprised at the happy note that this album ended on. “I don’t let go I hold on tight/ The joy in the fear takes me to the other side;” I feel like this is an excellent leave off for a future album. - Best of Atlanta Concerts

The 100 Best Tracks of 2009, 100 Best Songs of 2009, 100 Best Cuts of 2009. #75. Kirk McMillan – Corporate Cross
Timely words from the Atlanta songwriter. - Lucid Culture Word Press

Kirk Mcmillan chosen as showcase act for Atlantis Music Festival 2008. - Atlantis Music Festival